Should I upgrade pump/thermostat? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ARrado15 · 02-09-2017, 04:36 PM

So I'm swapping my cam next weekend, and just found out that you need to remove the oil pump to get the LS2 dampener in. I was against swapping the stock one because I didn't want to touch it, but now that I have to I'm starting to consider replacing it. Is it really worth the $150 for the melling? Would you suggest the High Volume, High pressure, or the TSP oil pump if you were to change it? It's an LS3 btw...

Also, would you guys bother changing the thermostat to a cooler one while your already in there? I have heard mixed reviews on the thermostats and how it can actually damage your motor....

Gunmetal Speedster · 02-09-2017, 05:07 PM

I just ordered my cam kit, I went with the melling. There are plenty of threads about the stock ones failing and causing hell. Might as well do it as cheap added insurance and peace of mind. As for the thermostat, I decided to leave mine alone. There seems to be more evidence on keeping the stock one on NA engines than there is to swap it out.

JCunningham · 02-10-2017, 06:09 AM

get a Melling pump. the 10295 is all you need the hi volume 10296 is fine too.

ARrado15 · 02-13-2017, 10:25 AM

Ordered the 10296.

TRC-SS · 02-13-2017, 11:58 AM

Yes good work on ordering the Melling....2010 and 2011 Camaros had issues with the stock oil pump seizing open....happened to me with 14,000 on my 2011.

i have a the Melling Pump in now

rich2342 · 02-13-2017, 12:42 PM

Should the oil pump on the 11/12's be changed only when upgrading the engine or is it defective otherwise stock? Was there a recall?

ARrado15 · 02-13-2017, 01:37 PM

I've heard that they can have the relief valve stick and cause a complete loss in oil pressure. I figured it's only 150 bucks for peace of mind

arussh · 02-13-2017, 02:56 PM

i considered a melling then just ported the stock one to remove some material to eliminate the possiblity of oil cavitation. That seems to be the issue with stock pump.
30 minutes of porting fixed that. Side bonus is that oil pressure is a bit stronger cuz flow is more direct now.

BubbaSS · 02-13-2017, 03:26 PM

On the LS3, definitely replace the pump...The more aggressive cam plus hot days and the stocker will fail. Replace all seals/gaskets while you're in there and upgrade timing chain too!

TRC-SS · 02-13-2017, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich2342

Should the oil pump on the 11/12's be changed only when upgrading the engine or is it defective otherwise stock? Was there a recall?

Its been defective on completely stock cars and highly modified. A lot of 10s-11s don't ever have this issue...but there are quite a few posting on this forum that had the valve stick open.

Thankfully these cars have a warning system and will alert you that there is no pressure and to turn the car off immediately, which eliminates any motor damage. I would only worry about it if it happens. If your doing internal work done on your exsisting LS3 than yea change it out.

02-09-2017, 04:36 PM	#1
ARrado15 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 145	Should I upgrade pump/thermostat? So I'm swapping my cam next weekend, and just found out that you need to remove the oil pump to get the LS2 dampener in. I was against swapping the stock one because I didn't want to touch it, but now that I have to I'm starting to consider replacing it. Is it really worth the $150 for the melling? Would you suggest the High Volume, High pressure, or the TSP oil pump if you were to change it? It's an LS3 btw... Also, would you guys bother changing the thermostat to a cooler one while your already in there? I have heard mixed reviews on the thermostats and how it can actually damage your motor....

02-09-2017, 05:07 PM	#2
Gunmetal Speedster Drives: Savitar; The 500rwhp N/A Monster! Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 2,914 View My Garage	I just ordered my cam kit, I went with the melling. There are plenty of threads about the stock ones failing and causing hell. Might as well do it as cheap added insurance and peace of mind. As for the thermostat, I decided to leave mine alone. There seems to be more evidence on keeping the stock one on NA engines than there is to swap it out. __________________ **SOLD504HP/433**TQ \| Night Fury cammed • Cold Air Inductions intake • Bo White ported TB • Speed Engineering 1 7/8 longtubes • NPP catback • QTP low profile cutouts • Powerbond 25% UDP • 3.73 gears • JRE scoop • ZL1 grille • R1 Concepts drilled/slotted rotors • built/tuned by Weapon X Motorsports Instagram \| YouTube \| Build Thread

02-10-2017, 06:09 AM	#3
JCunningham Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: WNY Posts: 7,070	get a Melling pump. the 10295 is all you need the hi volume 10296 is fine too. __________________ real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1

02-13-2017, 11:58 AM	#5
TRC-SS 700RWHP-650TQ Drives: 2011 Forged LS3 Supercharged/Cammed Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shrewsbury Massachusetts Posts: 5,269 View My Garage	Yes good work on ordering the Melling....2010 and 2011 Camaros had issues with the stock oil pump seizing open....happened to me with 14,000 on my 2011. i have a the Melling Pump in now __________________ View Build HERE>>>>>MY 2011 2SS/RS JOURNAL

02-13-2017, 03:26 PM	#9
BubbaSS WHAT RED LIGHT?! Drives: 2011 Black Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,115	On the LS3, definitely replace the pump...The more aggressive cam plus hot days and the stocker will fail. Replace all seals/gaskets while you're in there and upgrade timing chain too! __________________ 2011 2SS/RS M6 BLACK - VARARAM NO TUNE INTAKE, MODDED AND PORTED TB, PORTED INTAKE MANIFOLD, VITESSE THROTTLE CONTROLLER, DOUG THORLEY LT'S, CATLESS, X-PIPE, 25" STAINLESS WORKS RETRO CHAMBERED MUFFLERS, CUSTOM 2.5" MANDREL BENT EXHAUST, RICHMOND 4.10 GEARS, CUSTOM CAM (231/242 @ 114LSA), MUSTANG DYNO TUNED BY TORQ, 20% CERAMIC TINTS, EIBACH PROKIT SPRINGS 1" DROP, HAWK PERFORMANCE CERAMIC BRAKES, NITTO INVO TIRES, HYDROCARBON TAIL LIGHT AND FOG LIGHT BEZELS BY EMBLEMPROS, METRA DASH KIT, JVC KW-AV71BT, PHOENIX GOLD iAMP GM1, PASSPORT QI45 - 450 RWHP 415 RWTQ

02-13-2017, 10:25 AM	#4
ARrado15 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 145	Ordered the 10296.

02-13-2017, 12:42 PM	#6
rich2342 Drives: 2010 CGM Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: MA Posts: 515	Should the oil pump on the 11/12's be changed only when upgrading the engine or is it defective otherwise stock? Was there a recall?

02-13-2017, 01:37 PM	#7
ARrado15 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 145	I've heard that they can have the relief valve stick and cause a complete loss in oil pressure. I figured it's only 150 bucks for peace of mind

02-13-2017, 02:56 PM	#8
arussh Drives: 2011 2ss/rs, 1990 iroc-z Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa Ontario Posts: 197	i considered a melling then just ported the stock one to remove some material to eliminate the possiblity of oil cavitation. That seems to be the issue with stock pump. 30 minutes of porting fixed that. Side bonus is that oil pressure is a bit stronger cuz flow is more direct now.