FA20 Engine Oiling, Bearings, and Starvation

[Luckrider]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

For NA the oil pressure doesn't matter so much as your power level isn't where higher pressure is required. It is possible the Reimax gear could be beneficial in an NA application from 8-9K rpm where I was seeing a drop until we used the accumulator to pick up the slack to hold around 80psi on our modified engines. I was seeing a pressure drop in that area of 20 psi so it was not minor!!!

There are plans to go FI in about 1 year when financials recover from the unexpected rebuild. Through the summer I might start bringing the rev limit up to (and maybe above) 8,000 from my current 7,600. The problem is, stock cams. I'll be going low boost if/when I do go turbo though, maybe 300-350whp at most.

[Spartarus]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

Wow it's been a really long time since I've updated this thread and where do I even start?

Well how about that... I'll be the first to admit my math could have been wrong.

There were a few variables I didn't account for; I hoped testing would show they were insignificant, as I did not have the means to measure them. It seems testing has shown the opposite. One is any lost volume from the visible profile mismatch between the rotor and the housing, another is leakback from any tolerance issues, and yet another is the 2-stage bypass valve functioning incorrectly due to increased oil pump discharge..

There are other variables in the engine itself that I haven't examined either.



I intended to test one myself, but I have moved across the country twice in a year now, and I haven't had the time, money, or facility yet.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Luckrider

There are plans to go FI in about 1 year when financials recover from the unexpected rebuild. Through the summer I might start bringing the rev limit up to (and maybe above) 8,000 from my current 7,600. The problem is, stock cams. I'll be going low boost if/when I do go turbo though, maybe 300-350whp at most.

I have stock cams and 9k RPM Just takes the right engine build.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB79YZwN...=elementtuning

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

I have stock cams and 9k RPM Just takes the right engine build.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB79YZwN...=elementtuning

+ a turbo, you forgot that part

[Luckrider]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

I have stock cams and 9k RPM Just takes the right engine build.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB79YZwN...=elementtuning

That's where the turbo comes in! Hopefully with an electronic boost controller, it can be progressively ramped up to make power that high.

Originally Posted by DocWalt

+ a turbo, you forgot that part

Of course, I would would like to push mine to 9,001 RPM with a turbo just so I can make the over 9,000 joke.

[sam69]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

Test it for the community and let us all know how it worked out.

If I was NA I would most likely say no worries but as I'm going to be FI and pushing approx 22 psi I'm thinking it may be to bigger risk as you were saying that there's not enough oil pressure at the lower revs and a PD charger only makes pressures at lower revs worse .

Bottom line is what would you do ??

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

+ a turbo, you forgot that part

We are working on new NA high RPM heads as we speak

[EAGLE5]

Where do you measure oil pressure? Wouldn't an intake tube collapse only if it's not getting enough oil? The oil passages are designed to work with the stock pump and thin oil, not more flow, more pressure, and 50 weight race oil.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Where do you measure oil pressure? Wouldn't an intake tube collapse only if it's not getting enough oil? The oil passages are designed to work with the stock pump and thin oil, not more flow, more pressure, and 50 weight race oil.

Not really following you. With an external pressure stage the oil pump sucks oil from the dry sump tank. Most lines are rated for high pressure and not high vacuum and therefore they can and do collapse.

There is nothing inside your FA motor at all that makes it so special you have to run 20w oil. That is a complete myth perpetuated by owner manual readers and not engine specialists. Viscosity changes with temperature so you pick your oil weight based on your demands. 20w gets the job done in NA form due to low power an effort to reduce drag, and better fuel economy. Add a turbo and look Subaru recommends 5w30 on the WRX FA20 (yes we build those two andI know everything about the internal measurements there). Subaru also fitted a larger oil pump and we all know why.
:
Anyways just stating the facts. Run any oil weight you want.....there's no voodoo!

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by sam69

If I was NA I would most likely say no worries but as I'm going to be FI and pushing approx 22 psi I'm thinking it may be to bigger risk as you were saying that there's not enough oil pressure at the lower revs and a PD charger only makes pressures at lower revs worse .

Bottom line is what would you do ??

Well most superchargers don't make near the power or torque compared to the turbo kits on the market so oil pressure demands aren't really as high.

What I would do and recommend would make your pocketbook very light. LOL! If you've already built your motor, roll the dice but put a pressure gauge on and monitor it like a hawk.

[killboy]

Originally Posted by sam69

If I was NA I would most likely say no worries but as I'm going to be FI and pushing approx 22 psi I'm thinking it may be to bigger risk as you were saying that there's not enough oil pressure at the lower revs and a PD charger only makes pressures at lower revs worse .

Bottom line is what would you do ??

I just want to know what PD charger you are planning to use that makes 22psi.

[Element Tuning]

[killboy]

It just doesn't handle like it used to.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Tim Radley

Your pump looks tiny. Was it just single stage scavenge? How did you feed back to the stock pump?

It's actually a huge 2" pressure stage only (that is why you think it looks small). Flows over 20 gal/min.