[Petah78]

Originally Posted by KillerBMotorsport

Don't apologize, we've all been there!

No, not at all. From our testing the pickup is very little of a restriction when you look at the system as a whole. Can you pick up a couple psi and small % of flow by installing a performance high flow version, sure you can. Anytime you reduce a restriction on a pump's inlet, it becomes more efficient.

The systems flow limitations is really down to the engine's lubrication design: engine's clearances, and other things like AVCS, oil feed, etc... Those are all restrictive. The best way to improve oiling system performance is not by shimming or adding a bigger pump, it's rebuilding the engine with making modifications to the oiling system to improve its performance. One of the things we learned for example, is ALL engines (new used or otherwise) get a line bore (not a line hone). Once true, we actually close the main clearances below factory spec at ~.0007 +/-.0001. This smaller main clearance forces more oil to the rod bearings (the weak link). We've done this for stock engines running 0w20 to 760whp running 20w-60. We always run stock unshimmed pumps regardless or redline RPM or power level and have not had an oiling related failure in at least 10 years.

That is some great explanation. The more I read/learn about this RTV/oiling issue, the more I think it's an overblown issue. Not ideal but also not a show stopper. Thanks again.