Of the 2 dozen or so HEMI's that I've built/rebuilt, I like to see 50+ psi on cold start up until the engine gets up to operating temp. I've been trying to finish my current customers 6.1 rebuild, but theres been more than a few gremlins. Even with a complete rebuild with all new internal components and sensors, the motor sounds really clacky, like it doesn't have enough oil pressure. The 'hidden' evic screen shows 30 psi of oil pressure at cold idle. Like I said, I used all brand new components and I'm not liking the oil pressure. So I'm going to replace the brand new oil pump with a Melling high volume oil pump and see if that fixes it. I don't want to run it up to operating temp sounding the way it does. I have used HV Melling oil pumps in the past with no issues. They come with a stock/standard pressure spring installed, and two high pressure springs as well, +10 psi and +15 psi.
As far as another members opinion, "Too much oil pressure is bad too", these 6.1 have issues with prematurely wearing out rod bearings on cylinders 7 and 8. I've built a lot of these Gen 3 HEMI's and since 7 and 8 are the furthest from the oil pump, they're always the last to get oil on startup, which is why I think those wear out quicker than the rest. As I said, I've used HV oil pumps before and never had any issues. I think that members comment is a matter of personal opinion. I don't claim to know everything about these HEMI's, but I do know a lot. I've seen a lot and people don't call me "The HEMI whisperer" for nothing! 😉
Of all the 6.1's I've built that didn't suffer mechanical failure (i.e. broken valve spring, broken timing chain and/or chain tensioner, etc.) or operator failure (i.e. running it out of oil because he never checked the oil level or another guy breaking the oil dipstick and not replacing it to monitor oil level) I've seen #7 and #8 rod bearings wear down into the copper before the rest of the cylinders rod bearings. Even with my own 6.1, 120,000 miles, RELIGIOUS synthetic oil changes every 3500 miles. I started noticing the oil in my catch can turning gold at 120k. I pulled the motor to find #7 & #8 rod bearings just barely showing copper (another benefit from using an oil catch can, to keep an eye on bearing life).
Good luck with your oil pressure issues!!
