[wheelsup69]

2016 Camaro, 2SS.

Looking for some help. I've got a completely built 416 c.i. engine with a full list of aftermarket parts but no indication of an aftermarket oil pump. I bought it this way but I do have the build sheets. Engine is Procharged with Alky Injection. 906 hp.

Engine has about 3,000 miles on it since it was built. Car has 6,800 miles total.

When I start the car there is no oil pressure reading. I have to rev the engine to about 2,500 rpms and after a few seconds, full oil pressure. This is the part that has me scratching my head.

After the engine gets heat soaked, the oil pressure does read low, like 10 lbs at idle but goes up to 20 just above idle and will read in the mid 30's when cruising.

I've replaced the oil sending unit twice. Any ideas of what could be going on would be greatly appreciated.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by wheelsup69

2016 Camaro, 2SS.

Looking for some help. I've got a completely built 416 c.i. engine with a full list of aftermarket parts but no indication of an aftermarket oil pump. I bought it this way but I do have the build sheets. Engine is Procharged with Alky Injection. 906 hp.

Engine has about 3,000 miles on it since it was built. Car has 6,800 miles total.

When I start the car there is no oil pressure reading. I have to rev the engine to about 2,500 rpms and after a few seconds, full oil pressure. This is the part that has me scratching my head.

After the engine gets heat soaked, the oil pressure does read low, like 10 lbs at idle but goes up to 20 just above idle and will read in the mid 30's when cruising.

I've replaced the oil sending unit twice. Any ideas of what could be going on would be greatly appreciated.

That does not sound good to me. Let’s get the obvious out of the way: oil level is good, no oil leaks, tried a different oil filter, etc? The fact that it eventually reads pressure leads me to believe it’s not a sensor problem.

[wheelsup69]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

That does not sound good to me. Let’s get the obvious out of the way: oil level is good, no oil leaks, tried a different oil filter, etc? The fact that it eventually reads pressure leads me to believe it’s not a sensor problem.

Thanks for responding. I've done oil changes and even changed to Supercar 50 wt. oil.

Different oil filter at an oil change didn't make a difference. I am not a mechanic but have been a drag racer for years and can tear an engine down and rebuild it so I'm definitely knowledgeable although admittedly less so with this type of engine.

It has me scratching my head for sure. I know in the LS engines there is a screen behind the sensor that could get plugged and restrict oil causing mis-reads of oil pressure but I'm fairly sure that doesn't exist with the LT engines.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by wheelsup69

Thanks for responding. I've done oil changes and even changed to Supercar 50 wt. oil.

Different oil filter at an oil change didn't make a difference. I am not a mechanic but have been a drag racer for years and can tear an engine down and rebuild it so I'm definitely knowledgeable although admittedly less so with this type of engine.

It has me scratching my head for sure. I know in the LS engines there is a screen behind the sensor that could get plugged and restrict oil causing mis-reads of oil pressure but I'm fairly sure that doesn't exist with the LT engines.

What’s odd is on this platform, is that a completely unrelated problem can cause no oil pressure reading. For example, a couple of years ago when swapping in the new Whipple blower, I forgot to reconnect a TMAP harness…and I got no oil pressure reading?!? I was chasing the oil pressure issue when the problem was unrelated.

[wheelsup69]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

What’s odd is on this platform, is that a completely unrelated problem can cause no oil pressure reading. For example, a couple of years ago when swapping in the new Whipple blower, I forgot to reconnect a TMAP harness…and I got no oil pressure reading?!? I was chasing the oil pressure issue when the problem was unrelated.

That makes a lot of sense. That's why I always prefer to do things myself.

Where is the TMAP harness located? I've got another 2016 Camaro sitting in my shop, I'll have to do some comparing.

I do know that there is a connector right next to the oil pressure sensor that doesn't connect to anything on my engine...

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by wheelsup69

That makes a lot of sense. That's why I always prefer to do things myself.

Where is the TMAP harness located? I've got another 2016 Camaro sitting in my shop, I'll have to do some comparing.

I do know that there is a connector right next to the oil pressure sensor that doesn't connect to anything on my engine...

On a Whipple, the TMAP is at the back of the blower. No idea how Procharger does it, sorry.

The oil pressure sensor is at the front of the intake manifold if I remember correctly. So you’d have AFM and VVT harnesses there probably. I had my VVT harness unplugged for a few years too and finally got around to depinning that out of the harness and removing it.

[wheelsup69]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

On a Whipple, the TMAP is at the back of the blower. No idea how Procharger does it, sorry.

The oil pressure sensor is at the front of the intake manifold if I remember correctly. So you’d have AFM and VVT harnesses there probably. I had my VVT harness unplugged for a few years too and finally got around to depinning that out of the harness and removing it.

Correct on the oil pressure sensor. I've replaced it twice now.

I'm still using the factory intake manifold so it's in the original location. Procharger just uses a larger throttle body off the front of the intake.

That unplugged connector is probably the AFM or VVT since both are gone with the build.

[jlaudio11]

It sounds like it's almost losing prime to me, needing rpm to pull oil up and through. Similar to oil pump o ring issue common on ls engines I wonder how sealed the pick up is in the pan and to the oil pump. Something to test and help verify is to way overfill the oil and start it. Basically get the oil level up to the bottom of the pump and see if pressure builds right away. The crank will be splashing through the oil and aerating it, so don't really drive it on it. If pressure is there right away it could lead you to the actual problem.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by jlaudio11

It sounds like it's almost losing prime to me, needing rpm to pull oil up and through. Similar to oil pump o ring issue common on ls engines I wonder how sealed the pick up is in the pan and to the oil pump. Something to test and help verify is to way overfill the oil and start it. Basically get the oil level up to the bottom of the pump and see if pressure builds right away. The crank will be splashing through the oil and aerating it, so don't really drive it on it. If pressure is there right away it could lead you to the actual problem.

Great idea, jlaudio11!

As I mentioned in my first reply, the fact that it does get oil pressure eventually leads me to believe the sensors and wiring are ok. If they were bad, you would never see any pressure register in my opinion.

[wheelsup69]

Originally Posted by jlaudio11

It sounds like it's almost losing prime to me, needing rpm to pull oil up and through. Similar to oil pump o ring issue common on ls engines I wonder how sealed the pick up is in the pan and to the oil pump. Something to test and help verify is to way overfill the oil and start it. Basically get the oil level up to the bottom of the pump and see if pressure builds right away. The crank will be splashing through the oil and aerating it, so don't really drive it on it. If pressure is there right away it could lead you to the actual problem.

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

Great idea, jlaudio11!

As I mentioned in my first reply, the fact that it does get oil pressure eventually leads me to believe the sensors and wiring are ok. If they were bad, you would never see any pressure register in my opinion.

Definitely interested in this idea. Any thoughts on how much oil would need to be added? 5 quarts? 10 quarts?

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by wheelsup69

Definitely interested in this idea. Any thoughts on how much oil would need to be added? 5 quarts? 10 quarts?

I think I’d just try two quarts and see if there’s a difference. 5 quarts seems crazy but who knows lol

[wheelsup69]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I think I’d just try two quarts and see if there’s a difference. 5 quarts seems crazy but who knows lol

I guess it's easy enough to add two. See if it fixes it. Add another two. Maybe a final two if there isn't any change. It will all be drained right after anyway...

[jlaudio11]

Originally Posted by wheelsup69

I guess it's easy enough to add two. See if it fixes it. Add another two. Maybe a final two if there isn't any change. It will all be drained right after anyway...

5 should be plenty but I would try the 2 and 2 more route just to verify.

[wheelsup69]

Originally Posted by jlaudio11

5 should be plenty but I would try the 2 and 2 more route just to verify.

Sounds good. Appreciate the input!