Got the SPA oil pressure/oil temp gauge up and running last weekend. Some oil pressure observations:
At cold start: 80psi
Full throttle, warm engine: 65 psi
Idle, warm engine 18-19psi!
Idle, coming off of full throttle: 14psi!!

The low oil pressures are scary. It will be interesting to see what they do on the track and whether the oil pickup maintains flow in the corners. An accusump may be in the car's future, just don't have a clue where it would fit.

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IB/W some mods

 

These are considered normal oil pressures. Even though the oil pressure my look scary at idle, it isnt. The MINI has a rather low idle speed, that coupled with the fairly high temperatures that the engine runs at, it looks fine. There is an 'unofficial' guideline of about 10psi per 1000rpm once the engine is hot, of course the upper pressure limit would be controlled by the pressure relief valve (in the case of the MINI around 60, and most cars these days, anywhere from 40-70psi. The relief valve is not a regulator, but instead it's a spring loaded pop-off valve. Cold, thick oil moves slower through the engine and subsequently the relief valve, which is why it gets quite high when cold. As the oil thins, it moves much easier, and the pressures drop. You want the oil to move through and drain from the engine internals in order to carry heat away with it.

Coming soon: my own oil pressure and temp gauges for my MCS. I anticipate the same readings as you have.

As for an accusump, you can probably squeeze one in around the area of the steering rack or in the right side firewall air box (along with the ABS controller). I am curious as well as to how much oil pressure drop occurs with lots of crazy cornering

 

Thanks Phil,

I'm not sure the Accusump will fit in the space by the ABS sensor. It sounds like the one to get is the 2 quart version - the 1 quart evidently works a little differently than the 2 and 3 qt models. I suppose if I get serious about turning the car into a track car I could put it inside somewhere, or make it a foot warmer for the passenger.