Just finished my build its a 81.5mm Ls vtec with darton dry sleeves with CP 9.0:1 pistons, eagle rods, acl x racing bearings, stock ls crank, brand new oil pump, water pump, etc. I used castrol gtx 10w30. When we were tuning it was really hot i mean it was like 100 degrees outside. I only did 2 pulls n saw i had really low oil pressure. At idle its at like 5psi, 3k its at 25psi. This only happens when the engine is hot. I checked the oil and its fine not low or anything. My tuner said it could be the acl x rod bearings i used causing the low oil pressure and cuz of the eagle rods, and that im boosted but i dunno. After running the car a little hard i pop the hood n see smoke coming from the valve cover bolt where the spark plug cover goes. Im using a breather box and only on 10psi is that normal? Im also seeing smoke come out from my feed line or by my feed line what does this mean?

 

What were your bearing clearances?

 

I have no idea. The machine shop did everything for me. This sis my first big build and still learning. All i know is that i used acl main bearings and acl x bearings for the rods.

 

Im running a greddy oil pressure gauge on the back of the block where the oil switch was. The car has perfect oil pressure when its warming up its only bad when it gets really hot i live in florida and gets really hot.

 

The bearing brand has NOTHING to do with it... the clearances do. If an even remotely reputable shop did the work they would have given you a build sheet with the specs. The type of rods have absolutely nothing to do with this either. Also, I doubt it was broken in remotely correct either. The temperature plays a role but has little to do with it like you are experiencing. We need more information.

 

Give it back to who built it... it's their problem, not YOURS. It's definitely down to assembly.

 

That's some pretty low oil psi, sounds like you are stuck with the engine the way it is and you are just trying to get oil psi up when engine is hot. If 10w30 is 5 psi at idle when hot, drain it change filter and go with 2-3 grades thicker oil. Hell If I had that low I would use Rotella 15w-40. just be sure to take it easy when engine is warming up.
BTW what are your current oil psi at initial start up?

 

It should be at least 10psi at idle fully warmed up. Try a 20w50. Sounds like your builder used large bearing clearances. Or if it wasnt always this low - it could be indication of a spun bearing.

 

yeah at least 10 psi hopefully into the 20's....remember the general rule, 10 psi per 1000 rpm.
how hot are your oil temps?

either way, this engine needs to go back to the builder

 

That general rule is for "old school" domestics. Given, to a point it holds some truth for Honda's but you will find they tyoically only need around 80 psi up towards even 11,000 rpms. It has more to do with oil supply and make-up than RPM. Oil shear is determined by the oil, remember that.

 

Yea im going to try thicker oil and see what happens. When cold its at like 85psi. When temps get higher the oil pressure drops.