Melling Performance Oil Pumps For GM’s Gen III and Gen IV Engines

Melling Performance Oil Pumps For GM’s Gen III and Gen IV Engines

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine and that makes the oil pump akin to the heart of the monster. A pretty important component if you think about it. That said, no one has likely thought more about making a reliable pump for LS-based engines than the folks at Melling. Did you know they have ten different pumps for LS-based engines alone! Five are factory replacements, but the other five are far more than just OEM replacements.

Melling has this handy illustration to help you decide whether a pump is the Gen III or Gen IV design. The difference is whether there is a cast hole in the right side of the housing.

Anyone worth their own oil filter wrench has noted the differences in oils lately. Various ratings, certifications, and even the weights of our oils have changed drastically from what we were used to just a few years ago. When did zero-weight oil become a thing? But we digress. The reason for so much change in what was once a straight-weight decision is that so much has changed within our engines. Clearances, piston ring tension, and even how the lifters operate (or don’t in certain situations) have changed the requirements for the lifeblood of our engines.

The Melling pumps feature this coated cast iron cover. Besides better sealing, it eliminates the galling found on many OEM oil pumps between the pump rotor and the stock version’s stamped steel covers.

But how does that play in when we start playing with the insides of our engines? In very much the same way, the requirements of how much pressure and volume are needed via the oil pump depends on the build or condition of the engine. Thankfully, the folks at Melling have pretty much all the bases covered with their line of performance oil pumps for the Gen III and Gen IV LS engines.

Melling 10295

Melling’s 10295 is an upgrade with optional pressure springs.

The Melling 10295 oil pump is Melling’s first LS-based oil pump. It is a stock volume and higher-pressure alternative to the OEM pump. More than just a stiffer spring, the Melling 10295 oil pump features a reworked bypass circuit which is a vast improvement from the OEM shim found in the GM pump. Another bonus is the coated cast iron cover, which greatly improves the seal between the cover and the body of the pump. It also eliminates the galling found on many OEM oil pumps between the pump rotor and the stock version’s stamped steel covers. The 10295 comes with a +10 psi (over stock) spring installed and also has a +25 psi spring (COPO spring) shipped along if you want even more pressure. The Melling 10295 is designed for 1999-2016 GM 4.8L 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, & 6.2L engines. There is also the Melling 10295HV. As you can imagine by its name, the 10295HV is the high-volume sibling to Melling’s first LS-based oil pump, the 10295.

Melling 10296

The 10296 is designed for engines with a single roller timing chain (double roller may require timing cover mods).

The Melling 10296 is a high-volume pump for 1999-2016 GM 4.8L 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, & 6.2L engines. It features 18-percent more flow over the stock GM pump and comes with a +10 psi spring installed. The additional volume allows for more bearing clearance in the engine, so whether you like to build ‘em a little loose, or have a salvage-yard swap engine with a few miles on it, this pump keeps the oil flowing where it should. It also has the +25 spring and additional O-rings shipped along with it.

Melling 10355

The Melling 10355 is a high-pressure pump designed for Gen IV engines with AFM and VVT that require higher pressures for those systems to work properly. It is assembled with the +10 psi spring and also comes with a stock spring and a +20 psi spring. The Melling 10355 oil pump is designed for 2005-2017 GM 5.3L, 6.0L, and 6.2L engines with AFM and VVT. There is also the 10355HV oil pump which features 59% more flow for those seeking a higher flow rate for their Gen IV engine.

All Melling oil pumps come with the necessary O-rings and feature interchangeable springs to tailor the oil pressure to your engine.

Melling 10294

Just when it seemed more is always better, Melling introduced the 10294 LOW volume oil pump. Why lower the volume of a performance pump you ask? Because the 10294 is designed with 15-percent less flow than a stock pump for aftermarket blocks such as the GM LSX or DART LS Next blocks with priority main oiling. The 10294 still comes with the +10 and +20 springs.

The pressure springs are easily swapped by removing the threaded plug in the body of the pump.

As you can see, just like the oil that keeps our engines alive, the oil pumps that drive that fluid have gotten pretty specific as well. Thanks to Melling and their line of LS-based oil pumps, we have options to tailor the pressure and volume of oil to our specific application. And, it bears noting that all Melling LS oil pumps use the factory oil pickup screen and include two different O-rings, and come with instructions. Check out the Melling website to find the exact oil pump for your application and while you’re there, check out their Learning Center for more information and tips to keep your engine properly lubricated.

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About the author

Andy Bolig

Andy has been intrigued by mechanical things all of his life and enjoys tinkering with cars of all makes and ages. Finding value in style points, he can appreciate cars of all power and performance levels. Andy is an avid railfan and gets his “high” by flying radio-controlled model airplanes when time permits. He keeps his feet firmly grounded by working on his two street rods and his supercharged C4 Corvette. Whether planes, trains, motorcycles, or automobiles, Andy has immersed himself in a world driven by internal combustion.
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