What is oil pressure supposed to be?
 

I have searched and even though this question has been asked before I could not find an answer.
On my newly installed gauge (VDO running off a 996 sender) I get over 80psi on could start, drops to 40psi at cruising speed (2000-3000 rpm) and about 15psi at warm idle.

The oil light comes on at 7 psi.

Thanks, that is interesting to know.

Old school rule of thumb was add 10psi to idle oil pressure for every 1000 RPM.
Engine oil at operating temp.
That was on 50's-60's engines. probably still "close" today.

I found this on the 996 forum.

My figures don't look bad, given that I am running 5w-40 weight oil.

Great question search on here an you should find some pressure data and corresponding conditions.....hopefully it will be non accusump

Just back from a couple of hours on the road where I noted these pressures at 180 degrees F
idle 13 psi
2600 rpm - 50 psi
This on an untouched engine (as far as I know) with just under 100,000 miles on it.

FYI.
While looking for something else I came across this in the Technical Manual (my conversions to psi).

"5. Warmup engine to operating temperature (80 - 90 C oil temperature).The oil temperature can be read out with the PorscheSystemTester 2 under the "Actual values" menu.
6.The oil pressure should be approx 1.5 bar (21.7 psi) at idle.
7. Have a second person increase the engine speed to 4000 rpm. Read off the oil pressure on the oil pressure tester. The oil pressure should be approx 5.5 bar (80 psi)."

And I found this post in another thread.

I calculate that as 5 to 9.5 psi

I am not an expert, but from what I read here and there about 996 era engines, location of the oil pressure source is crucial for the correct reading.
Speculation as which one is the most correct...

However, from other cars I used mechanical or sender oil pressure gauge, the values were about 60-90 at cold start (depending on weather - the colder the higher, of course..., so winter, -20 C was 90 psi). Hot, idle, down do 10-15 psi, any speed increase would jump the value right away.At normal driving anywhere (2000-4000 rpm) 20-50 psi.