Oils For The Track

[Paul SM]

I would like to hear what brand and spec oils are being used for track days by serious Stag racers. In the past I used Penrite Sin 5 in my R33 Skyline, having changed to that after breaking an oil ring with Mobil 1 in the sump.

The Penrite website doesn't seem to make any meaningful distinction between applications for Sin 0, Sin 5 or Sin 10 and I wondered which might be best for a modified R34 Neo RB25. On another forum discussing Castrol Edge 10W-60 there was much argument as to whether that oil was too thick so I don't know what they'd say about Sin 10 which is 10W-70.

[KiwiRS4T]

I used to use Castrol 10W 60 but have also read lately about the dangers of too thick oil.

There are a couple of considerations

1. Which brand - and I have done heaps of reading of reviews and test results and it is clear that a quality synthetic will outperform mineral based oils. There are probably three or four top synthetics but i have decided on Motul.

2. What viscosity. This depends on the state of wear of the engine and how hard and long it is being thrashed. My theory is that you need an oil temp and an oil pressure guage and then you use the lowest viscosity that will give you adequate pressure and not reach excessive temps. In my case I have decided to try Motul 300v Competition 15W 50. If that turns out not to be heavy enough the next step is 300v LeMans 20w 60.

[stasis]

which mobil1 did you use? The oil didnt break the ring did it?

[scotty nm35]

I agree, a full synthetic 15-50 for track work but for the street a 10-40 is plenty due to daily cold starts and low temps. Im starting to think, if I ever get mine on the track, I will need to bump it up to the next thicker oil available.

I have used the Motul 300v chrono in 5-30, too thin and knocky once warm. 10-40, felt good, a bit tight when cold but once warm, perfect. 15-50, just too thick and felt like it was being held back. That said, every engine is different and operates at different temps so it is something you would need to try for yourself.

I stick to ester based oils, grade 4 or 5 like 300v, Sougi, Royal purple now. I used to think a mineral semi was ok if changed regularly but I believe the high temps in turbo engines will ruin a low quality oil fairly quickly.

[SMOKEYV35]

from extensive reading, everyone says motul 300v chrono - good news is that its 20% off at repco this weekend - i bought 6L for about 120 bucks.

[pipster11]

if your gonna run a 10w40 give the gulf western sougi a go

i realise i sound like a broken record around here but its good stuff compared to 300v and amazing once you factor in the price

[Paul SM]

Thanks for the thoughts on oils for the track.

Regarding Mobil 1, I should clarify that I found a story about a lab test of 18 brands of oil in the Street Commodores mag (March 2006) - it was a real eye-opener and showed huge differences in the capabilities of those oils. At the top were Royal Purple and Penrite. Near the bottom was Mobil 1. I broke the oil ring at Wakefield about the same time, when I happened to be using Mobil 1 so put 2 and 2 together and switched to Penrite.

It's interesting that in the same test Mobil Synth S performed much better than Mobil 1, at half the price, so clearly you can't expect all products from a given company to be similar in performance.

[scotty nm35]

Thanks for the thoughts on oils for the track.

Regarding Mobil 1, I should clarify that I found a story about a lab test of 18 brands of oil in the Street Commodores mag (March 2006) - it was a real eye-opener and showed huge differences in the capabilities of those oils. At the top were Royal Purple and Penrite. Near the bottom was Mobil 1. I broke the oil ring at Wakefield about the same time, when I happened to be using Mobil 1 so put 2 and 2 together and switched to Penrite.

It's interesting that in the same test Mobil Synth S performed much better than Mobil 1, at half the price, so clearly you can't expect all products from a given company to be similar in performance.

If it is the story I think it is, they had to publish an apology the next issue due to the flawed testing procedure... And I dont read anything in a Commodore mag...

+1 for Sougi, 5000 for $30, 6000 for $60 a bottle from a Gulf Western distributor.

[chef_stagea]

im going to get my self some motul v300 chrono 10 40 i think it was...

but what should i used to run in the engine once shes rebuilt?

[KiwiRS4T]

Get some cheap mineral oil for running in. Running in should take about half an hour and then dump it and put the good stuff in (and change the filter).

[pipster11]

im going to get my self some motul v300 chrono 10 40 i think it was...

but what should i used to run in the engine once shes rebuilt?

ask the tuner, some will say use running in oil (saw some in bursons once, you won't get it from supercheap etc) some will say just use mineral and some will say use what your gonna use for the rest of the time

[KiwiRS4T]

Tuners don't know everything! A quality synthetic will prevent the running in process.

[Paul SM]

If it is the story I think it is, they had to publish an apology the next issue due to the flawed testing procedure... And I dont read anything in a Commodore mag...

+1 for Sougi, 5000 for $30, 6000 for $60 a bottle from a Gulf Western distributor.

Well, I've just sent SC mag an email asking for confirmation (or otherwise) of your suggestion they had to make an apology about the oils test.

I assume someone else told you of the apology since you don't read SC yourself!

Thanks for your comment, anyway, it may put my faith in this oils test into some perspective. (Too bad, any other basis for choosing an oil is usually just anecdotal - everyone has their own preferences and experiences...)

[scotty nm35]

It was on this site somewhere, I searched so I could link it but couldnt find it...

[Paul SM]

It was on this site somewhere, I searched so I could link it but couldnt find it...

I received a reply from SC mag about the question of a retraction or apology after that oils test back in '06. There was no retraction per se but they did do a follow up article (to put the results in clearer context, I assume.) When pressed on the nature of the aggrieved oil companies' dissatisfaction with the test, SC stated:

"many of the companies that did not fare well in the test claimed that the test was either void or only tested one of the many qualities that an oil should possess. They claimed that because we failed to test the several qualities of an oil that the conclusions we drew were void, however we stand by the results that we got from our tests. What people draw in terms of a conclusion from our results is inconsequential. "

For me the most significant of those test results was the size of the scar on the steel roller bearing and the pressure required for the oil film to fail.

[scotty nm35]

I received a reply from SC mag about the question of a retraction or apology after that oils test back in '06. There was no retraction per se but they did do a follow up article (to put the results in clearer context, I assume.) When pressed on the nature of the aggrieved oil companies' dissatisfaction with the test, SC stated:

"many of the companies that did not fare well in the test claimed that the test was either void or only tested one of the many qualities that an oil should possess. They claimed that because we failed to test the several qualities of an oil that the conclusions we drew were void, however we stand by the results that we got from our tests. What people draw in terms of a conclusion from our results is inconsequential. "

For me the most significant of those test results was the size of the scar on the steel roller bearing and the pressure required for the oil film to fail.

I agree, it was a great test and almost had me convinced but Redline's response was good too.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Wh...reet+commodores