beckrx

iTrader: (18)

After installing a Mazdatrix oil filter pedestal in my 1994 RX-7 with 41K miles on it and bringing the car up to operating temperature, my oil pressure readings were ~15psi higher than with the stock oil filter pedestal. At WOT with the new oil filter pedestal, I have ~100 psi, idle pressure is ~30psi and normal driving condition pressure is ~70psi. I cannot figure out why I am running higher pressure and if this is cause for alarm. I neither changed my oil nor my filter when I replaced the oil filter pedestal and I run dino oil 20w-50. Ambient temperature for these readings was 70°. Nothing foreign fell into engine during the pedestal swap. I made sure the two o-rings on the bottom of the pedestal were properly seated into the channels without slipping during the installation. I do not have an oil temperature gauge. With the high pressure, I am not leaking any oil. I searched the archives and found that my oil pressure readings are within normal limits. The service manual (D-5) only states that the oil pressure for running the engine at 3,000 rpm at operating temperature should be 50psi minimum. However, I cannot figure out why my oil pressure increased and is the sudden pressure increase a problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

badddrx7

iTrader: (7)

Did you notice if the pedestal oil passages were uniform and open ? Were they they same disameter as stock ? No casting material hanging in there ?

Later

IRPerformance

iTrader: (41)

I was thinking the same thing. Higher oil pressure isn't necessarily bad.

beckrx

iTrader: (18)

The passages were open, clean, uniform and unobstructed. Both passages were larger than the stock passages which would lead me to believe that would decrease the oil pressure although the o-ring channels appeared to be the same circumference as the stock pedestal. The design issue I questioned, but would have no effect on oil pressure, is that the passage closest to the banjo fitting only had a 2mm wall between the point in the passage closest to the exterior wall and the exterior wall of the filter pedestal. The stock fitting had about a 1cm wall. Since oil pressure is still within limits, there are no oil leaks and my car is running great, I am just going to chalk it up to "FM:" Freakin' Magic.