at idle my oil sometimes drops just below 1/4 of the guage, i assume that'* not normal, what could cause it?

Mine started dropping ocassionaly to about 30lbs right before the sender failed and maxed the guage to 120lbs. With a new sender though there is no problem. thats just my experience though. I would definately figure out what the problem is it could possibly be signs of a deeper problem.

Have a question then what is the pressure supposed to be on a 99 SSEi. Because my 92 holds 40 lbs at idle while my 99 holds maybe 25-30. So what makes such a big difference?

A.J.

My coolant temp sender went out/ acting up and somehow, someway it messed with the oil pressure gage. Replaced the coolant temp sender, all good

IIRC the pressure for 2k should be at 60lbs at operating temp. I assume yours should be the same since 99SSEi also has the series2 L67. Possible causes are low idle, bad sender unit, weak pump, clogged pickup screen, hole in pick up tube, worn bearings and a few more that I dont remember right now. Things like oil viscosity and dilution(dex-cool?) can also make that number lower.

Nerv.. what pressure is 1/4 of the gauge?

Pressure varies with load and RPM

At operating temps
Idling out of gear 15-40psi is good
idling in gear on brakes 15-40psi is good.
1600-2000 rpm 35-70psi is good

I also noticed after a fresh oil change, the oil PSI will be higher at idle and hwy rpms than before.

EDIT:
....the oil PSI was higher at idle and hwy rpms than before.

You aren't using synthetic (That'* another thread though)

Let'* consider all psi'* to be on a fresh oil and filter change.

I know what you mean, I went through the same worry after I got my SSEi after first owning an SE. You are fine, as long as the PSI readings are in the ranges that Bill specified.

Oil pressure will change with the temperature of the oil. As it gets hotter it will go down. If you haven't done the 180 Tstat mod yet and your car temp goes over 200 Degrees then it will be even lower. I was worried about it too at first, my SE has higher pressures than my SSEi. But I did more reasearch and realized that it is completely normal. A fresh oil change and a coolant flush (my old coolant was old and TERRIBLE, changing it out made a big difference so look into that) and a 180 Tstat later, my SSEI PSI readings were more stable and higher overall. If you want to see higher PSI do that and make sure you swith to synthetic oil. I will be doing synthetic on the 96 next.