It looks like I forgot to post the pics here from the TCDesign thread over in Racing & Competition.

I matched the markings on the broken pan baffle with the oil pickup:

 

the oil sump sucks hard enough to leave marks like that?

 

Yup.. WOT Oil pressure is over 120psi on a healthy engine. The aluminum baffle dents easily compared to the steel pickup tube.

 

Pulling that girdle in the car is a real bad idea, and it's near impossible.

Trans has to come out, along with the clutch and flywheel.

The motor mounts have to come out also.

You'll soon find out it is not going to happen more easy than pulling the engine.

 

Slows2k Posted on May 6 2007, 10:08 PM
Is the 120 psi the opening pressure of the oil pump bypas valve?
I can't find any specs in the ESM about that.
All they (Honda) mention is that the sprinloaded valve should move smoothly it the pump housing.

They do say that at 3000 rpm oil pressure should be 90 psi.
The oil pump is a positive displacement pump, so if the relation between pressure & revs is linear then 9k rpm would produce around 270.

This all also leads to the thinner oil "debate".
A thinner oil at operating temp will give you more oil flow at WOT at the same oil pressure.
More oil flow is never bad.

 

But if it's too thin, then the pump can't pump it efficiently. And then you have less oil flow. Which is bad.

 

My oil pressure gauge reads 125psi anytime over 5K RPM

 

Is your sender installed in the stock sender location or on a sandwich adapter?

 

so you were right, there it is. and it didnt block it completly, just enough to starve it. damn. time for a rebuild. lots of goodies can go in now.

 

mikegarrison Posted on May 7 2007, 03:10 AM
It depends on what is "too thin".
In an oil (gear) pump the oil also acts like a seal so (lets say) water or alcohol would not be pumped efficiently.

I don't think there is any commercial available engine oil that would not be pumped efficiently by an engine's oil pump.

Slows2k Posted on May 7 2007, 03:32 AM
What kind of engine oil do you use?
If you don't want to disclose the brand (trade secret ) then give us the viscosity.