GM performance oil pump

[baxsom]

Has anyone ever used this particular pump. It is GM part #17801830. All I ever see people talk about is the LS6 pump or a melling but this one is advertised as a high volume standard pressure pump for the LS engine. They are all over the internet for like 80 bucks shipped which is considerably less than even the oem replacement oil pump so I was wondering about the quality. Granted it is GM so that probably means made in Mexico but should still be at least as good as oem right?

 

[baxsom]

someone has got to know something about this pump

 

[Hib Halverson]

I don't know about that specific GM oil pump, but I can tell you that no stock or mildly-modified Gen 3 or 4 V8 needs a high volume pump.

Highly modified Gen 3/4 engines may need a high volume pumps depending on their valve train, rpm range, and any changes to the oiling system such as racing type dry sump systems or add-on engine oil cooling systems.

I'll add that the idea that "Made in Mexico" means bad quality is a stupid myth.

Reality is that the QC and the quality of finished products coming out of Mexican engine plants rivals and in many cases exceeds that of what comes out of plants in the U.S. and Canada. In recent years, Mexican engine and transmission plants have won numerous awards for efficiency and quality.

Both the 2010 Shingo Prizes went to automotive or aerospace manufacturing plants in Mexico.

 

[baxsom]

My biggest reason for looking at it is that retail on this pump from any major vendor is 30-40 dollars cheaper than an oem replacement. it may not be a huge amount but when you are doing a head and cam swap, every dollar saved as long as it is a quality part is a dollar than can go elsewhere.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Unless you need a high-volume pump for the reasons I suggested earlier, all they do is decrease performance and increase oil temperature. If those are compromises you're willing to make to save 30-40 bucks, then I'd buy it.

 

[LLC5]

I'll add that the idea that "Made in Mexico" means bad quality is a stupid myth.

Reality is that the QC and the quality of finished products coming out of Mexican engine plants rivals and in many cases exceeds that of what comes out of plants in the U.S. and Canada. In recent years, Mexican engine and transmission plants have won numerous awards for efficiency and quality.

Both the 2010 Shingo Prizes went to automotive or aerospace manufacturing plants in Mexico.

Agreed. Country of origin means nothing quality wise, and never has. Quality comes from the specifications given to the producer of the product. Poor quality products are a direct result of the puchaser (in this case auto companies or retailers) spec'ing a product to lower (cheaper) standards, not country of origin.

 

[baxsom]

Unless you need a high-volume pump for the reasons I suggested earlier, all they do is decrease performance and increase oil temperature. If those are compromises you're willing to make to save 30-40 bucks, then I'd buy it.

Now that is the million dollar question. On the other corvette site, an oem replacement is the bad way to go when you do get a new pump. A high volume, standard pressure pump is what is always recommended. Various companies sell a ported LS6 or a melling. I can see the point made that when you do a cam swap you have to remove the oil pump anyway so put a new one on just in case but why is the high volume pump always pushed over a regular one.