hey guys, I have a 05 silverado with a 5.3 lm7 engine, It has 82k on it. before my cam swap I would have 50lbs at idle cold, 37-40lbs at idle hot, I swapped in a cam from my buddies 03 lq9. with similar mileage and it had same oil pressure as mine, after swap i noticed my oil pressure was at about 20-25psi hot at idle, about 30-35 cruising at 70mph when hot. It has 5w30 oil in it with about 5k on the oil. i've already stripped motor down and replaced cam retainer plate with upgraded countersunk plate and bolts. no difference.

When i rev the engine up in neutral hot it will still hit 60lb around 4k. I just find it very odd that it has lower pressure at idle with this cam. i've talked to a performance shop locally who said it could be the cam bearings were worn a little differently in his truck so its causing this effect on mine, I'm about ready to just swap in my original cam and leave it at that. I will try changing the oil and using 10w30 synthetic, its about 90* out now. the 5w30 in it currently is dino oil from an oil change place.

I just dont like seeing low oil pressure.

 

Hook up a gauge just to be sure before you swap all back to original

 

Did you remove the oil pump or swap the timing chain during install?

 

You have 5k on the oil???

 

I'm with this guy, if you pulled the oil pump and didnt pull the pan to remove the pick-up tube theres a good chance the o-ring isn't sealing completely

 

That was the direction I was going.

 

a new oring is only about $4.. id get one and put it in.. Rule that part out.
If your truck is 2wd, its a peice of cake.

 

No I did not remove the oil pump or pan, I went in through front cover and just pulled the cam sprocket. never touched pump or pan. I have a 4x4 as well. YEah my oil has 5k on it. Its just 5w30 oil from a oil change center. i'm also running a supercharger on it, so i'm thinking since i've been running 11.5 to 1 for the last 800 miles maybe my oil is being dilluted with fuel as well. i'm going to run 10w30 synthetic on next change this week.

 

I'm with this guy! Oil is the only maintenance I'm strong on. I use Dino oil but rarely beyond 3500 miles.

I do, however, have the thrill of having my tranny rebuit(upgraded and better TC)@ 175k, even after pan drop fluid changes every 20k.

Prepping for the cam!

 

5k miles on dino is retarded especially with forced induction. Put a good synthetic 10w30 and if you want to run extended on your oil changes, I suggest UOA's to make sure your oil is still good.