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SignUp Now!That's certainly true if the aluminum pump cover is worn down, but it's possible to increase oil pressure on even a good pump using a "booster plate".Originally posted by norbs
The factory piece is alum, which wears easy, causes bigger clearance between the gear faces, thus reducing oil pressure. The metal plate is a new fresh surface which is harder to wear down.
Originally posted by sumnerw
As I understand it:
1. The booster plate provides a fresh wear surface for the oil pump gears so if the existing wear surface is worn, pump performance should improve.
2. Like the stock oil pump cover, the booster plate is aluminum so it will wear rather than the oil pump gears which are steel. Unlike the stock cover, however, the booster plate is anodized and should resist wearing better than naked aluminum.
3. The oil pressure relief valve in the stock cover returns oil to the gears. The booster plate, coupled with a minor modification to the stock cover (which can be done easily with a grinder and a steady hand) redirects the relief valve return to the oil pump inlet ahead of the gears. I do not understand why that makes a difference but it must since I don't recall ever reading that anyone was disappointed with a booster plate.
4. The booster plate kit comes with various springs for the oil pressure relief valve that allow you to select the maximum oil pressure at the pump discharge for your system. I have often wondered if this is the real "secret" to the booster plate since I'll bet most people replace the tired stock spring in the oil pressure relief valve with a pretty stiff 60# or higher spring. I don't know what the stock spring is, however. Now that I think about it, that might explain higher start up pressures (cold engine and oil) but would have much less to do with hot, idling pressure (which is probably mostly a function of total clearances, including the oil pump gears, throughout the engine).
Later,
Buzz White in Houston, TX
Yes, there are.Originally posted by KWIKR 1
... are there different versions of the booster plate ? I am not aware of this .
Originally posted by tom h
Yes, there are.
One version is typically the steel plate, and is intended mainly to provide a new wear surface for the gears, in case the orighinal aluminum pump cover is worn (they're hard to find). Does not re-route oil flow.
2nd version is the K-B style plate , which re-routes oil flow and increases pressure. Requires minor re-machining of the original pump cover and new press relief springs.
How the KB plate worked was more apparent when I had all the parts in my hand and was tracing the oil path .