this is mainly for the 96-98 5.7 vortec guys. i just picked up a truck yesterday and i hate how low the oil pressure is. at idle its at like 20psi and if im cruising around 70 its up to 40psi and thats as high as its got. i owned a 98 a couple years ago and it held over 40 at idle and around 60 driving and my 2000 was around 50-60 idle and it would bury the needle if i got on it. is there anything i should be concerned about?

 

I remember hearing about an oil pump issue on these years?
FYI, my old "98" I had got about the same pressure as your "98" did.

 

this one i bought yesterday is a 98 also but it only has 40psi max oil pressure.

 

pshh when im idling/cruising im at 60psi....at WOT im a hair below redline....

 

On my 94 350 tbi, it did the same thing. 20 at idle and 45 max. Its a different motor but the chilton manual said it was ok until it stayed around 15psi. This engine has over 200,000 miles on it too.

 

i've got the 40 idle and 60+ with my foot in it

 

Ive seen alot of those trucks with low oil psi. Yeah 20 psi seems low at idle but is plenty enough. Might wanna go ahead and change the oil, put an AC Delco filter back on there and maybe put a little thicker oil in it to see if it changes.

 

its still with in specs. my old 6.0 was running that and i didn't like it at all so i pulled the motor. the guy thats running it now just replaced the bearrings and it runs great

 

my old 305 had 25-30 at idle and 45-50 wot, the 5.3 has 50 at idle and 80 or so wot. this is with a manual sunpro gauge. so i assume it is somewhat close

 

my cousins 98 is at about 20 idle and 40 max. he has no problems at all.