Need Opinions Fast

[rip_vw32]

Okay ladies and gents.....

I am in the process of swapping out the 350 in my K5 for a '76 Hi-Po 454 bored .030 over and an 11.1:1 compression ratio. I want to get some ideas on what oil types I should use. This is the 3rd incarnation of this 454 (and the last according to my wife!!) I have used straight 30 and 40 weights (wiped a main bearing) 10wXX (wiped 2 rod bearings). I am thinking AMSOIL (my dad is a reseller) but I don't want to rebuild this thing in 6 months. I already have a Meling hi-po oil pump, using a canister oil filter, and will be buying a new pan and a seperate oil cooler. I am sooooo tired of rebuilding this beast, so any recomendations you have would be great.

And just an FYI: modifing my driving is probally not the best option, as this enging screams to be pounded on!!

[Sp00ner]

Are you using a high volume, high pressure, or both for the oil pump? What size oil pan are u going with? Oil cooler in something that large is a must! Perhaps you need to beef up that oil system in that beast. Do you have an oil temp and pressure gauge, or planning on installing one? Have you ever had the block cleaned and checked out during one of the rebuilds? Any chance some of the oil galleys or holes are blocked?

I had a '76 TransAm with a built Buick 455 in it. Spun my bearings in about 6 months too. It was pushing about 585hp, and the mechanic told me I might as well go with something like a dry sump at that point.

[rip_vw32]

I actually thought dry sump.....High psi and volume on the oil pump, oil temp and psi gauge are going in (mechanical). This is the first time I was able to have the block dipped (don't need it in, just a want as I have two working vehicles) Heads were just rebuilt, and everything (including the crank) is forged, not cast.

[Sp00ner]

I've heard that a high pressure pump can be bad on the engine, I don't remember the exact reasons, or the exact conditions, I believe the high pressure pump is only used for certain situations. Did you use this same pump previously? In my TA, the original high-pressure oil pump was hitting over 70psi while under hard accel. WAY too high.

[rip_vw32]

Not the same pump as before (it was stock) and on Chevy 454 engines, at idle the pump is pushing at about 38-42 psi. I think this one is rated at around 45-50 psi at idle.

[rip_vw32]

I wonder if I could "shoe horn" it into the RL.....Wouldn't that beat all??!! A little RL with an engine that weighs in at 500+ lbs and pushing around 425 horses???!!! Imagine the looks I'd get then!!