Using Oil, How Much Is Too Much

[tricstar]

I'm a bit worried, just checked my oil this morning for the first time in a while and it barely registered on the dipstick, its a hks 2.8L @ around 800hp, only filled it up about 1500km ago but have done a couple of hard track nights and then another rallysprint event so its done some work, not to mention a bit of street driving, I'm using Mobil 1 0-40 , do I need to go for a thinker oil or should I be looking for something more serious. How much oil is acceptable to use when doing track work etc?

[R.3.2.G.T.R]

not sure but i believe general advice is oil change before and after track day

[R31Nismoid]

realistically you shouldn't be using anything of significance.

certainly not that much (what, 1-2L? virtually off the dipstick?)

what's the catchcan like?

[STATUS]

wrong oil choice for application 0w-40....is a no no i bet its breaking down (thinning right out) when it gets hot @ your track days. (engine builder clearances play a part here too) i would suggest based on your description above to run 15w-50 for track days and a 5w-40 or 10w-40 for daily duties.

The jap tuner houses i visted years ago told be to always run @ least a 50w at the track in rb26 and it seems to ring true when you look @ the specs of the oil compaines which make oils to suit these engines (not generic oil companies which do a one oil suits all type thing).

NISMO 15w-50 (competition oil) ( http://www.linkauto.com.au/view/page/407.html )

TRUST FRX full spec race oil 20w-60 ( http://trust-power.com/10oil/index.html )

TRUST F2 sport / race 15w-50

MOTUL 300v 15w-50 (power)

HKS turbo racing Pro 10w-50 ( http://www.hks-power.co.jp/products/oil/pro/index.html )

Change oils and i bet it stops.

[tricstar]

realistically you shouldn't be using anything of significance.

certainly not that much (what, 1-2L? virtually off the dipstick?)

what's the catchcan like?

Didn't get to check the catchcan this morning, but its never had any oil in it before, never had any blowby, but I'll check can asap, but yeah virtually off dipstick?

I've only just changed to mobil 1, usually use motul v300 and never notice much use at all.

normally I would pay a lot attention to the oil changing but had afew events within a couple of weeks and it just slipped my mind

[tricstar]

wrong oil choice for application 0w-40....is a no no i bet its breaking down (thinning right out) when it gets hot @ your track days. (engine builder clearances play a part here too) i would suggest based on your description above to run 15w-50 for track days and a 5w-40 or 10w-40 for daily duties.

The jap tuner houses i visted years ago told be to always run @ least a 50w at the track in rb26 and it seems to ring true when you look @ the specs of the oil compaines which make oils to suit these engines (not generic oil companies which do a one oil suits all type thing).

NISMO 15w-50 (competition oil) ( http://www.linkauto.com.au/view/page/407.html )

TRUST FRX full spec race oil 20w-60 ( http://trust-power.com/10oil/index.html )

TRUST F2 sport / race 15w-50

MOTUL 300v 15w-50 (power)

HKS turbo racing Pro 10w-50 ( http://www.hks-power.co.jp/products/oil/pro/index.html )

Change oils and i bet it stops.

thanks for that

Mobil 1 do a 5-50 and a15-50 should I try one of them or go straight back to Motul, do you not rate Mobil 1 at all ?

and if I go to Motul or mobil 15-50 can I just run that all the time, or for street applications you'd want the protection more down at low temps?

[NYTSKY]

You have done a few track days and a rally sprint and you have only now checked the oil??

Your oil is too thin for a start, stick to a 15w.

[tricstar]

You have done a few track days and a rally sprint and you have only now checked the oil??

Your oil is too thin for a start, stick to a 15w.

yeah I probably should have kept that quiet

I know Trent didn't list it but, was thinking of changing to Mobil 1 15w-50 anyone have any reason why that wouldn't be a good idea ?

[SiR_RB]

why do u wanna stick with Mobil oils for? theres better out there for such an engine....

[STATUS]

Mobil 1 15w-50 should be fine.

[Tweaky]

Maybe using Penrite Sin 5 oil is a better choice for the car. Its a 5w-60w which would cater for both street & track use. I use this oil & never have had any problems with it , but i don't do much track work though. Also maybe should make a habit of checking your oil level every time before you drive the car . Peace of mind , also better safe then sorry !!

[blind_elk]

0w/5w/10w - doesn't really matter in this situation. I'd be upping the running viscosity to a 50 or even 60.

[STATUS]

Maybe using Penrite Sin 5 oil is a better choice for the car. Its a 5w-60w which would cater for both street & track use. I use this oil & never have had any problems with it , but i don't do much track work though. Also maybe should make a habit of checking your oil level every time before you drive the car . Peace of mind , also better safe then sorry !!

ive found the sin gear to be pretty poor, wont use it (in my shop) after seeing the condition of it (and oil pressure drop) after one track day in a customers rb25....he now uses another oil without any similar issues.

[Beer Baron]

I 100% agree with trent here. you are using the wrong grade of oil. power = heat. 800hp is a lot of power. a 0/40 is not up to the task. a 15w50 much better. personally i don't rate the mobil ones very highly and would chose a motul but if you are happy with mobil then use it but at least use the right grade for the right purpose.

[Harey]

Another popular oil for big hp engines is Castrol Edge 10W60.

[MrStabby]

0w/5w/10w - doesn't really matter in this situation.

+1, that W number is the cold number, you should focus on the -40 or -50 bit. Also Mobil 0W-40 hasn't got a great HTHS, IMO you'd be better running Delvac 1 5W-40 if you really want to stick to a -40. Since the people that really know stuff say you need a 50, start with Mobil 1 5W-50.

Changing before and after track days is likely to be a waste of money unless your Used Oil Analysis says your oil is stuffed, and in that case you should run a better oil, eg go from Mobil 5w-50 (group 4 and 5) to a full ester like Motul 300V (group 5 aka full ester only).

[Marcus89]

Maybe using Penrite Sin 5 oil is a better choice for the car. Its a 5w-60w which would cater for both street & track use. I use this oil & never have had any problems with it , but i don't do much track work though. Also maybe should make a habit of checking your oil level every time before you drive the car . Peace of mind , also better safe then sorry !!

That's way too thick for an everyday driver if you ask me i wouldn't bother going over 40

[tricstar]

ok thanks guys, that it I'm changing back motul v300, as someone said above, surely just changing after track days would be sufficient, as I do a track day or event on average once a month and only travel about 1000km on the road between track visits, I don't imagine the oil would get too over worked on the street you simply can't keep your foot into it long enough for it to get much of a workout. and it does hold nearly 7-8L

does that sound like an acceptable plain?

[MrStabby]

ok thanks guys, that it I'm changing back motul v300, as someone said above, surely just changing after track days would be sufficient, as I do a track day or event on average once a month and only travel about 1000km on the road between track visits, I don't imagine the oil would get too over worked on the street you simply can't keep your foot into it long enough for it to get much of a workout. and it does hold nearly 7-8L

does that sound like an acceptable plain?

You may still be wasting money changing at 1000 road ks + track day. Used oil analysis will cost a lost less than a fill of 300V, and it will also gives you information on your engines health as well as the amount of deterioration of the oil.

FWIW a Porsche 928S4 owner who had oil tested after 20,000km street kms with a track day or two found the Mobil full synthetic oil was recommended for continued use, that is, still in excellent condition. Factory drain interval is 10,000kms, IIRC the sumps are 7 or 8 liters.

It would be interesting to see what 300V in your car is like at your 1000+trackday interval. If its not overheating, it might still be in great condition!

[tricstar]

You may still be wasting money changing at 1000 road ks + track day. Used oil analysis will cost a lost less than a fill of 300V, and it will also gives you information on your engines health as well as the amount of deterioration of the oil.

FWIW a Porsche 928S4 owner who had oil tested after 20,000km street kms with a track day or two found the Mobil full synthetic oil was recommended for continued use, that is, still in excellent condition. Factory drain interval is 10,000kms, IIRC the sumps are 7 or 8 liters.

It would be interesting to see what 300V in your car is like at your 1000+trackday interval. If its not overheating, it might still be in great condition!

I hear you Mr Stabby the 300V isn't cheap at 7L a pop, I've got an oil analysis place locally that I'm just starting to use so I'll get tested and see what sort of life I get out of it.

My only concern is :

I know the Motul V300 is a top notch oil but at 15w is that offering enough protection on start up,, this engine with all that oil, cooler, remote filter etc takes an awful long time to get up to temp ?