Motor Oil testing
10-18-2009, 02:24 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Motor Oil testing
Any of you guys know of any motor oil testing being performed?
Right now I am using Valvoline 20x-50 VR1 Racing oil (high Zinc). Many of the local guys I respect run Joe Gibbs oil.
I have been reading about some of the other choices out there like
• Joe Gibbs oil
• Royal Purple
• Amsoil
This is the only one I could find:
http://www.animegame.com/cars/Oil%20Tests.pdf
Any help would be appreciated. BTW: I run the car in Time trials on tracks like Lime Rock and Pocono. I miss Bridgehampton.
Right now I am using Valvoline 20x-50 VR1 Racing oil (high Zinc). Many of the local guys I respect run Joe Gibbs oil.
I have been reading about some of the other choices out there like
• Joe Gibbs oil
• Royal Purple
• Amsoil
This is the only one I could find:
http://www.animegame.com/cars/Oil%20Tests.pdf
Any help would be appreciated. BTW: I run the car in Time trials on tracks like Lime Rock and Pocono. I miss Bridgehampton.
10-20-2009, 07:47 AM
#3
Drifting
Just curious as to why you are running such a high viscosity oil. Are your bearing clearances such that you need the higher viscosity to maintain pressure?
10-20-2009, 07:48 AM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Good data seems to be hard to come buy. When I talk to guys that run their cars, everyone has an opinion. Most oil choices are just based on the fact that they have used Xbrand and never had a failure. I just dropped in a new motor and the machinist recommended I break-in the motor with Valvoline VR1 racing oil and add EnginePro zinc additive for break-in.
Many years ago when I was working as a mechanics helper as I was going to school, a guy walked over when I was working on my car. He asked what oil I was using and commented on my air filter. When I asked what he based it on, he explained he worked for a heavy equipment company. The name escapes me, but they were big, like Caterpillar. Anyway, he explained they would build a group of engines where the rings had special material built in. They would run different oil and filters and send them into the field. After a time, they brought them all back, drained the oil and were able to determine ring wear. That was how they made recommendations.
Now I know we aren’t going to buy 12 identical cars and put Joe Gibbs in car one, Amsoil in car 2, Royal Purple in car 3……
But I thought somewhere this sort of data might exist.
Many years ago when I was working as a mechanics helper as I was going to school, a guy walked over when I was working on my car. He asked what oil I was using and commented on my air filter. When I asked what he based it on, he explained he worked for a heavy equipment company. The name escapes me, but they were big, like Caterpillar. Anyway, he explained they would build a group of engines where the rings had special material built in. They would run different oil and filters and send them into the field. After a time, they brought them all back, drained the oil and were able to determine ring wear. That was how they made recommendations.
Now I know we aren’t going to buy 12 identical cars and put Joe Gibbs in car one, Amsoil in car 2, Royal Purple in car 3……
But I thought somewhere this sort of data might exist.
10-20-2009, 07:50 AM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
As I mentioned above, I just dropped in a new motor and the machinist recommended I break-in the motor with Valvoline VR1 racing oil and add EnginePro zinc additive for break-in. I went with his advise for break-in.
10-20-2009, 08:20 AM
#6
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
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many ppl run 15-w50 or straight 40w for racing.
normal viscosity oil will beak down under consistent high heat.
Joe Gibbs makes some new engine break in oil. and some fine racing oils.
M1 also now makes some racing oils. a 0 wt qualifying oil and a 0-40 racing oil. But these oils are changed after each use.
Last edited by AU N EGL; 10-20-2009 at 08:24 AM.
10-20-2009, 10:00 PM
#8
Drifting
Higher oil temps need the higher viscosity.
many ppl run 15-w50 or straight 40w for racing.
normal viscosity oil will beak down under consistent high heat.
Joe Gibbs makes some new engine break in oil. and some fine racing oils.
M1 also now makes some racing oils. a 0 wt qualifying oil and a 0-40 racing oil. But these oils are changed after each use.
many ppl run 15-w50 or straight 40w for racing.
normal viscosity oil will beak down under consistent high heat.
Joe Gibbs makes some new engine break in oil. and some fine racing oils.
M1 also now makes some racing oils. a 0 wt qualifying oil and a 0-40 racing oil. But these oils are changed after each use.
For higher oil temperatures there are oil coolers. Increased viscosity equals increased resistance to flow; the cooling medium for the bearing surfaces is the oil. I'd rather have a cooled lower viscosity fluid with a high film strength than a high viscosity fluid operating at a higher temperature that flows less.
Viscosity has nothing to do with oil breakdown. A lower viscosity oil may have lower film strength than the higher viscosoity oil given the same base stock, but that is too general of a statement when comparing different base stock lubricants.
To the OP, I'm guessing since the builder recommended the 50W oil, he has clearanced the bearings taking the recommended viscosity into consideration.
