An accumulator is simply a pressure equalizer. You can have 15 lbs of oil pressure and the cylinder is full. The solenoid keeps the accumulator from dumping it's load in the pan when you shut off the motor and it helps build oil pressure faster than with an open manual valve. Keep in mind that you only put 6 lbs of air pressure on the back side of the accumulator piston. That's why it takes 5 seconds for the cylinder to empty with the engine off. For convenience, I like the solenoid.

that is an excellent idea.

Gaetano is pretty keen on where to put the weight...we have tons of room in front of his crank shaft but we'll find out after we Brett-ify his sway bar. Def gonna be center and to the drivers side as much as possible.

You make a good point Payton but dont you think 25 seems a bit low? I know I should be checking this with oil temps but when I was recently checking oil pressures I brought my water temps to 205 and at 750 rpm, my oil pressure was 48 lbs.
Temp at T-Hill this Sunday is supposed to be 106. I dont think I will do all 5 sessions.....most likely three......I'll get a better idea of what kind of oil pressures I'm running at idle after a few sessions and then make a call from there.

I think the safest bet would be the shortest run.

BTW, Thanks for looking out :thumbsup:

I agree, I think the solenoid is the way to go. If your outside of the car closing the valve you cant see what the oil pressure is.

Please know all of this is second hand info
 

as I have never had one on a car. The way it was explained if you are having oiling issues where the pressure is dropping or the pump is sucking air, the pan is not baffled well enough and/or the motor is pumping all the oil to the top of the motor and it is not draining back fast enough. The accusump is supplying oil to keep the pump covered up...better way than adding an extra quart or so and not having one.

Most engine builders will tell you that you can run low pressure (20 lbs) for a short amount of time and not do any damage. You are just trying to keep it from sucking air and having no oil to the bearing.

When Ron (blue 66 mustang) blew his wet sump LS7, it was a combination of a stock LS3 pan, oil pumped to the top of the motor and a long sweeping corner and the remainder of the oil went up the side of the pan and starved the bearings.

Since my pressures are high it leads me to believe that I might suck the pan dry. I know pressure isn't the same as volume but how could I possibly calculate. I think in my case 25 might be a bit low. 40 does sound a bit high. I'll start asking questions but I imagine I'll be at least at a 30.

A properly plumbed accumulator will use a one way valve or drain back filter so the oil is pushed from the accumulator right into the main galley. Payton is right, it will lube the crank and fill the pan so the pump doesn't cavitate. There is a pressure gauge on the accumulator with the manual valve. You just subtract the 6psi precharge off the total. I would simply rev up the engine with my right hand and close it at say 60 or 70 psi.

150% correct

There's no way you are sucking the pan dry of your oil level is correct.

You have the proper pick up, appropriate capacity, adequate returns and trap doors to keep your pick up primed.

Pressure will not do it volume will.