Oil pressure issues in ST165

[NZcelica]

Hello all,
My ST165 has had an odd problem since i've had it, that i'm begining to think is a worry.
My factory oil pressure guage will sit just over half way when idling (warm) yet when it gets up above 4000rpm it dips below half.
Now ALSO when you rev it (driving) and hold a steady throttle at say 38000rpm in 2nd gear you can hear what sounds like a dry top end (makes the same noise as when you start a car up from cold and theres no oil in the head)

Could this be a crook oil pump? i'm gathering its just a lack of pressure.
Is the engine fujucked?
Is it time for an Auto starlet reflect? who knows

Your thoughts, thanks

[sergei]

What is the oil level like? Any sludge under the cap? Possibly the oil strainer is bloked with sludge and other crap. Open the oil filler cap and have a look with torch to see the colour and existance of sludge. There should not be any black brown build up. You should see metal under yellow- brown oil coat.

[Alex B]

What is it with 3s's and oil issues

Oh i have an oil pressure gauge you can borrow too

[big_boy]

im thinking pressure releafe valve spring is getting tired or dirty pick up

any dents in the sump ????

[NZcelica]

sump is perfect, not a scratch

[big_boy]

il go with my first statment then