by lambaj » Mon May 29, 2006 9:31 pm
You can increase the pressure of a stock oil pump by changing the relief spring, or alternately you can pack the existing spring to increase the relief pressure....... BUT, I am not sure there is a lot of point in just increasing the relief pressure - the key to increasing oil system performance is flow. Sometimes increased pressure may give a bitmore flow, but its better to have a higher capacity pump. That way, when you blue print your performance engine, you can increase the bearing clearances a small amount to reduce friction losses, but as you flow more oil, then you get no increase risk of wear.
To be frank, I think that unless you are planning to spend a lot of time over 6000rpm, then the stock engine pump (in as new condition) will be fine. An oil cooler would be a more advantagous fitting as this keeps the oil cooler (durrr!) and so thicker..... so more projection, and at the same time, more pressure too.... and it helps the non-water cooled parts (ie crank, can, bearings, pistons) a fair bit cooler too.
Food for thought.....
Tony (HA21)
"Ere look - thats one of them Mk2 Vauxhall Cortinas....!!"