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The BB and SB Chevy oil pump by the numbers.
Fact or Fiction, Gospel or Myth?
The Small and Big block standard volume (stn vol.) hydraulic pumps are pretty much equal in cubic inch displacement per revolution (CIR) Ether pump could be installed in a small block and the horse power requirement to oil the motor would be the same assuming equal efficiency. When comparing the Big and Small block high volume (high vol.) versions of these two pumps the small block is the larger volume pump. The Big Block high vol. pump falls smack in-between the small block stn and high vol. pumps. The difference in horsepower required at 70 psi is negligible as compared to 50 psi, all else being equal. Using the pump sizing formulas available to anyone in the “Fluid Data handbook” for engineers, and measuring the pumps in question, I calculated the following; assuming 100% efficiency: Small block stn vol. 2.45 gpm at idle (400rpm) and 18.4 gpm at peak (3000rpm) Engine rpm is double pump rpm. Small block high vol. 3.06 gpm at idle (400rpm) and 23.0 gpm at peak (3000rpm) Big block stn vol. 2.41 gpm at idle (400rpm) and 18.0 gpm at peak (3000rpm) Big block high vol. 2.765 gpm at idle (400rpm) and 20.7 gpm at peak (3000rpm) Horsepower requirement for a Big block high vol. pump at 60 psi and 90% efficiency is 0.8 hp A Small block high vol. hydraulic pump will pump out a 5 litre oil pan 4.6 times per minute at 6000 engine rpm. Seams to me running a High vol. high pressure Big block pump in a small block is no big deal. Has all the taboo talk about high vol. high pressure been misinformed speculative Voodoo? |
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In the past, SBC engines that were wet sump running high rpm used a BBC pump not for any difference in volume (pressure is regulated by the relief spring so is basically a non issue), but because the BBC pump had more teeth and so would be smoother and potentially prone to less spark scatter/deviation w/a side benefit of a larger pick up tube diameter.
Nowadays, there's no need to use a BBC pump- there are many perfectly adequate SBC pumps available w/as much volume as could be needed and w/larger diameter p/u tubes if desired. |
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Show me the math
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Im' just comparing volumes to illustrate a point, to dispel some myths. For example the idea that a big block high volume oil pump uses a lot of power, Or that it could pump a pan dry. Or that putting a high pressure spring in is wasting energy. I thought it was interesting to find that a SBC-hv oil p/p is notably larger than the BBC-hv oil p/p For you to say the math is not of any real significance, tells me you don't understand it. Or maybe you do, If you have a formula that works better lets hear it. If you have a easier simpler way to evaluate and compare the chev oil pump please share. Please elaborate on your pump curve idea. |
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I understand your proposed theory but in hopes of a simple answer you're over simplifying the question. What you're after is the power consumption and flow for the given pumps for a very specific fluid at a specific temerature with a specific amount of static and dynamic loss. All of those specifics are application dependant and vary from car to car. A pump curve for your fluid and temperature will get you in the ball park but you still need to figure dynamic head loss, which isn't so easy on an unknown oiling system. The best way to make your comparison would be to simply run the engine on a dyno with each pump a number of times and plot pressure, power, and flow against rpm while maintaining the same temperatures. Id also use a dyno that allows you to hold at specific rpms in effort to get more accurate results. You can then plot those results against a pump curve to get what they call a system curve, if you so desire. |
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hydralics person has the dope
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Which formula was it that you used to proof my calculations WAY off? you would never say i was way off as an assumption now would you? |
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What "static losses" are you referring to? Static implies at rest; I fail to see how there are going to be losses that will affect an oil pump in operation- when the pump is not in operation.
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In hydraulics static losses are losses that occur no matter what the flow rate is, dynamic are dependent on the flow rate. |
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The fact that you think the pumping volume is linear and that you would see anything close to 100% efficency shows me your WAY off. Also, you didn't mention any properties for the fluid your pumping, which will have a HUGE impact, even something as simple as switching from 5W-20 to 10W-30, hell even going from 120º to 220º with the exact same oil will have a HUGE impact.
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I'll answer that one for you, an impact on a set of baseline calculations. A simple base number can be elaborated on, referred back to, it will reduce confusion. anyone reading my numbers can multiply by 85% to get a truer flow rate. If we're going to talk about efficiency I suppose it could be along the lines of which of the two pumps (SBC or BBC) is more so and why. You brought up the topic of linearity in the pumps output, Now explain to us all how to factor that into the equation. Tell us why the pump is or is not linear in it's output. |
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Also, pump efficiency is not a set number, it varies with pump use, pressure differential, and speed- for one given pump. NONE of this is as simple as you think it is. And yes, you did a real simple displaced volume calculation that is essentially useless, just because you clicked a few buttons on your calculator does NOT mean your new number carries any significance. FWIW, pump curves are NOT calculated, they are plotted from test data on a pump AFTER is has been built becase there are too many variables to calculate correctly. You can slightly fudge the curves if you know what you're doing when you modify pumps, but if you called up a pump manufacturer with your "flow calculations" they'd simply say "wtf?" cause its not even close. BTW if a stock sbc oil pump is even 60% efficent at peak I'd be VERY surprised. |
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Well i'm glad you brought this to mine and anybody reading this attention. I should stop my investigation into the Chevy oil pump as i will surly be over whelmed by the complexity of the situation. Thank you for your input on this thread |
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Putting aside for the moment talk of pump pressure curves and static losses due to barometric pressure changes
, it has been shown (to MY satisfaction at least) that a HV pump isn't needed in most SBC builds. Period.As far as high pressure goes, excess pressure can aerate and heat the oil as well as cause pumping losses and generally is not wanted any more than (and possibly much less than) too much volume. A standard volume pump w/a relief spring that will provide hot oil pressure of at least 15 psi at idle and peak at 65 psi or so will do just fine most of the time. Some prefer the old rule of thumb of 10 psi per 1000 rpm, which is also fine by me as long as the idle pressure is higher than 10 psi. Some reasons to use a HV pump might be due to one or more of the following:
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WOW!!!!!! Can you two tell me if its more better to pore in one oz. or one an one half ounces of 2 stroke oil into a gal. of gas.For my weed wacker.Just calm down.
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You apparently didn't talk to an engineer, likely just a secretary. And there's no reason to stop as long as you're willing to put forth more effort than playing with a calculator- that is NOT an "investigation". Half baked ideas just need more cooking time. |
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