Oil Filter Bypass valve
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 608
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
Actually I did the same to mine, It forces all the oil through the filter. Alot of the cheaper filters as soon as they start to get a little dirty they force the oil thru the bypass so your oil is no longer being filtered which is a bad thing if you happen to have any metal floating around.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 608
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
Originally Posted by A/G
So, you are saying you improved on the GM design? Let me guess, you picked up this idea from a website somewhere. When I was younger, and didn't think the mod through carefully, I not only did the by-pass delete mod, I got more sophisticated and kept the by-pass but installed a stiffer spring. That was then, this is now. Given a choice, I'll take dirty oil over NO oil ANY day. That is the position GM engineers took (and still take) when they designed this by-pass system. Also, (and GM engineers agree) when I start up the engine with cold oil, first and foremost I want oil. Having that oil clean is better of course, but is of secondary concern.
Edit: BTW, even the flow capability of quality filters will decrease as they accumulate debris. This flow restriction if sufficient, will cause the by-pass to open. This phenomenon is not exclusive to 'cheap' filters.
Edit: BTW, even the flow capability of quality filters will decrease as they accumulate debris. This flow restriction if sufficient, will cause the by-pass to open. This phenomenon is not exclusive to 'cheap' filters.
So you drink the GM kool-aid and think that they can do no wrong, They put the bypass in the block for idiots that don't change there oil like they should. I actually picked up the idea from a reputable engine builder who builds race motors all day long, What are your qualifications? After spending the amount of money I have on my motor I'm not going to risk having some metal floating around to tear up my bearings. How hard is it to change your oil & filter regularly so as to keep it clean. Go ahead and run your motor with your safe little bypass valve and when you so spin a bearing from sh(* floating around in your oil be ready to whip out your checkbook for a rebuild.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,194
From: Albuquerque, NM.
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
+1. I've also talked to engine builders and they prefer to plug the bypass. GM has to build for the majority of drivers out there. Theres a lot of people that are lazy and don't do regular oil changes, therefore cruding up their oil filter. Bypass is in there for those people. If GM built engines for us who are particular with our cars and do oil changes sooner then later, the story may be different. Would you wait 100,000 miles to change your platnium plugs?
Ken R.
Ken R.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,066
From: Odessa/Lubbock, Texas
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
Another vote for plugging the bypass here, as long as the oil and filter are changed on schedule. My machinist also recommended this proceedure and specializes in LSX and LTX buildups as well as pro-stock race engines. Improving on GM engineers designs is what hot rodding is all about, if it were impossible to improve on the manufacturer's design none of us would be here on this forum and aftermarket parts would be obsolete.
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Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,248
From: Houston, TX
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
Originally Posted by A/G
So, how many miles are put on those pro-stock engines between teardowns?
Please, be careful. You are fighting clones with large amounts of info to regurgitate here. It could be a nasty war
.I finally decided that it is best to hear both sides of experience (not recommendation) and use best personal judgement. The motor in my parents 91 suburban went 225k miles (and two 700r4s!) before they sold it (ran perfect). This thing had oil changes about as regular as my constipated great great father - Not very often!
There is alot of reverse engineering going on these days. It would be best just to learn how and why things are like they are before some start messing with things beyond their understanding.
Ryan
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,066
From: Odessa/Lubbock, Texas
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
I'm definatly not getting into any internet wars. 
Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion, and I would not even start to profess that mine is absolutley 100% the correct opinion. I've been wrong before and most likey will be wrong many times in the future. I trust the guy that does my machine work and he recommended this for mine and has done it to all of the LT1 engines that he has owned personally. Furthermore, I suspect that this particular modification makes very little difference either way and is definatly not worth arguing about.
Everyone is entitled to thier own opinion, and I would not even start to profess that mine is absolutley 100% the correct opinion. I've been wrong before and most likey will be wrong many times in the future. I trust the guy that does my machine work and he recommended this for mine and has done it to all of the LT1 engines that he has owned personally. Furthermore, I suspect that this particular modification makes very little difference either way and is definatly not worth arguing about.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,066
From: Odessa/Lubbock, Texas
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
Also, with 16 lbs of boost and a 100 shot of nitrous I'm betting that plugging the oil filter bypass will not be the primary cause of failure in my engine, I'm not expecting this to be a high mileage engine .
.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 608
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
Sarcasm aside, I used to think like you, willing to change anything that was connected to 'OEM, believing I could improve on their engineering, then I started thinking things through more carefully.
Help me with your reasoning. Because a guy performs as an MD during the entire day, it is not possible for him to be a lousy doctor? He's not the only engine builder that may have ever made mistakes or not rationalized something through. He appears to be using one dimensional thinking. There is more out there than the controlled environment he primarily deals with. So he builds race engines. How many STREET engines does he build? Me? Not only do I use me hands when I build, I build with my mind as well. Ever hear of 'purpose built' engines?
Providing squeaky clean oil, is not my (or GM's) priority
Texas, NM, and California.... OK, now it makes more sense that you'd tend not to understand. I'm a little further north. It gets cooler up here. Nonetheless, for a street driven engine, the question that needs addressing is, during what phase of engine operation does the most wear occur?
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 21
From: Berea,Ky
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
Digging this thread out of the archives. I had a "reputable" builder do my 383 shortblock here in town. I got 380 miles on it and there went #6 rod bearing. I remember seeing shiny gold flakes from the first time I changed the oil (break-in, after 1st heat cycle). The crankshaft is fried on the #6 journal, the #5 right next to it is fine. He said it was because I have a melling high pressure/stock volume pump. This was that most of the time the pressure was over 40, and that 45 was when the pressure relief comes in. Therefore, unfiltered oil passed through during this time and fried my bearing. This time he wants to plug the bypass.
What do you all think about this?
What do you all think about this?
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 21
From: Berea,Ky
Re: Oil Filter Bypass valve
BTW, reputable by whose standards?
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