Hey everyone,

I've been thinking a lot about DragBikeMike's post on the “Oil System Evaluation and Upgrade,” specifically about modifying the drive gears to achieve an overdrive configuration. After reading it, I was completely sold on the idea. Then, when FinnHammer and others adopted the mod as well, it really solidified my decision that it's worth implementing.

My approach will be a bit simpler—no additional tubing to direct excess oil flow to the gears, just an oil bleed at the filter housing. I'll be running a straightforward setup with a few mods: a Weisco 94mm pop-top piston, a cam sourced from Lancer, and a new Dyna Muffler.

What I’m aiming for now is a low idle to get that great "thumping" sound, which is currently detrimental to the engine’s lifespan. With the modifications to the oil pump drive increasing idle oil pressure, what are your thoughts on achieving a low “thumping” idle without compromising the engine's longevity?

Eddy, just my opinion, shy of installing a V-Twin engine in the Savage, nothing will make it sound much better than a farm implement.  All that cacophony emanating from the valve train and air-cooled cylinder, combined with the thump, thump, thump, it will always sound like a lawn mower.  But one man's racket is another's music.

Even with the overdrive pump gears, I still like to run my idle at 1300 rpm.  If you want to run yours down below 1000, I suggest you install an oil pressure gage off the head cover.  It's very easy to do and you will have your head cover removed for the cam install.  That way, you can establish a safe threshhold for your idle speed.