I've been searching for a while now, but here is an overview of my setup and what happened:

lsvtec
b18b (81.5mm weisco/manley rods)
gsr head (stock)
acl bearings
gsr oil pump (used - but read on)
gsr water pump
golden eagle lsvtec sandwich plate
autometer mechanical oil psi switch
moroso oil pan
silver surfer turbo
-3 feed line with oil restrictor (have used bigger and smaller sizes - no change)
-10 return line

I ran this motor for 2000 miles pretty hard for a few months with no problems in regards to oil pressure whatsoever. I installed the -3 feed line, -10 return line, and turbo with the oil psi gauge and the oil pressure drops so low it wont even engage vtec now.

I had to take the car off the dyno because it couldnt be tuned and I still had to pay full price for the dyno tune.

Does anybody have any clue what could have happened? I know people keep saying bearings and or pump, but the bearings and pump were not giving any problems prior to installing the turbo set up. I have checked the vtec solenoid screen and it is clean. I am going to pull the pan and check the oil pickup. I really don't want to replace the pump but if I have to I guess there is no choice - that is my last resort. I see a lot of people have this same issue but the resolution is never posted!

ANY help is appreciated.

 

Why would changing the oil pump be the "last resort", youre obviously in ***** deep. Hell I would be happy if a pan drop and oil pump swap would cure that problem.

My guess is you beat on the motor untuned n/a for 2000 miles, and Im going to guess this motor was also built/rebuilt with a used unchecked oil pump to be cheap, and the motor got hungry

 

Take off the turbo and see if the problem goes away?

Check the pickup tube.

 

What sort of oil pressure have you been getting? Before and after

 

The turbo alone should not cause the pressure to drop that much. The timing may have just been coincidental. Regardless anytime you have a low oil pressure problem that indicates a loss of restriction by either a leak or a bearing that has opened up. Drop the pan and look for bearing material in the bottom. If you catch it early enough there may not be any damage beyond the bearings.

 

Are you using a sandwhich plate? If so what brand

 

Do you have any pictures of the setup? How the oil lines are run to feed the turbo and the lsvtec.

 

Golden Eagle lsvtec sandwich plate, runs the oil pressure to the head, and the other port sends the oil to the turbo. From the oil pressure sensor location I have a t-fitting to the oil pressure gauge

 

As far as oil pressure before the turbo I do not know, didn't have the gauge. But it would engage vtec, so it had to have the proper pressure, if I am correctly?

 

Enough for vtec isnt the same as enough for the engine.

Vrec engages as long as oil pressure is above 50psi iirc. It doesnt mean you dont have a pressure problem. You can have enough I kick vtec on but not enough to sustain pressure at elevated rpms. You couks be running just enough to kick vtec from the engagement point to redline, which wouldn't be safe (50psi at 7000rpm would make me cringe)

If that was the case, where youre barely at the acceptable pressure for vtec, I can see adding a turbo suddenly dropping you below the threshold

 

What is your oil pressure anyway at idle, 2500,and 5000 rpm?