[Z06] ideal oil temps?
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: TX
ideal oil temps?
What is the ideal or normal operating oil temp to have before "opening" up the car? Today I was getting on the highway and had an oil temp of 145 deg, and took 3rd to redline. After realizing it I got kinda worried as this is not something I normally do (take it that high in rpms on such low oil temp, usually wait till 180 deg). Could I have damaged the engine? 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Madison Alabama
For some reason I've got 126 degrees in mind. As cold as it's been here in the south; low 20's in the AM (that's very cold in Alabama terms) I've been keeping my DIC set to read the oil temp. I don't go above 3K until the oil gets to 126 degrees.
I read somewhere (it made sense then) that the high spring rate coupled with the agressive cam lift makes for a brittle spring when cold - they can snap. Thus the importance of getting the oil temps up.
I'm sure someone will chime in and straighten me out...
I read somewhere (it made sense then) that the high spring rate coupled with the agressive cam lift makes for a brittle spring when cold - they can snap. Thus the importance of getting the oil temps up.
I'm sure someone will chime in and straighten me out...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I remember reading something about getting to at least 140. I too have heard/heard about the brittle spring, more so with a cam and aftermarket springs, and I do not even move the car out of the garage until oil temp is 140.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
JMO, but I think the oil is the last thing to come up to normal temps.
Once the coolant hits normal operating temperatures, I would think the internal parts are there too.
Once the coolant hits normal operating temperatures, I would think the internal parts are there too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
If I have time I'll give it 5 min on a cold day, but 30 seconds should be enough in any situation. I make sure oil temp is 180F or higher before getting on it or breaking ~2,500 RPM.
IMHO - Coolant temp can rise/fall quickly and doesn't provide a true representation of the temperature of your motor - oil temp is the one you want to reference when determining how hot/cold your motor is.
IMHO - Coolant temp can rise/fall quickly and doesn't provide a true representation of the temperature of your motor - oil temp is the one you want to reference when determining how hot/cold your motor is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Longview Texas
I look for an oil temperature of at least 160 before running it very hard, and I do not let it idle to reach operating temperature. These cars are designed to drive at moderate conditions until up to temperature, and I think it is harder on them, and it takes longer, to get up to temperature if you just let them idle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
We should here from the drag racing guys as to what their oil temps are before they run. That's something I've wondered about.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
Good topic, I am curious too...
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Montoursville Pa
This is brought up fairly regularly.
general guide lines.
Low oil temp goes off (C4) at 150
High temp light (C5) come on some where around 325
Nascar Mechanics like 220 on the track for max power
Most road racers back down when it goes over 270 or so.
oil thermostats in oil coolers are set up to open at 190
So from this I infer 150 before hard use
some where between 190 - 220 on the road
slow down if it hits 275
general guide lines.
Low oil temp goes off (C4) at 150
High temp light (C5) come on some where around 325
Nascar Mechanics like 220 on the track for max power
Most road racers back down when it goes over 270 or so.
oil thermostats in oil coolers are set up to open at 190
So from this I infer 150 before hard use
some where between 190 - 220 on the road
slow down if it hits 275
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
That's a good point. When I was at Spring Mountain, the oil temp was consistently in the 250 range and outside temps were low 80s
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: TX
So it's safe to say that I my car is o.k. so long as I don't run through the gears unless temps are at 180? I was just wondering if this one time I ran through the top of 3rd at 145 deg, if I'm o.k. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
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From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
This is brought up fairly regularly.
general guide lines.
Low oil temp goes off (C4) at 150
High temp light (C5) come on some where around 325
Nascar Mechanics like 220 on the track for max power
Most road racers back down when it goes over 270 or so.
oil thermostats in oil coolers are set up to open at 190
So from this I infer 150 before hard use
some where between 190 - 220 on the road
slow down if it hits 275
general guide lines.
Low oil temp goes off (C4) at 150
High temp light (C5) come on some where around 325
Nascar Mechanics like 220 on the track for max power
Most road racers back down when it goes over 270 or so.
oil thermostats in oil coolers are set up to open at 190
So from this I infer 150 before hard use
some where between 190 - 220 on the road
slow down if it hits 275
, pushing hard at Watkins Glen last summer, I saw temps of 305*, backed off for a few laps, all was good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
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From: Cary NC
Around 150deg I feel comfortable jumping on it. On track approaching 300deg is bad. I installed an oil cooler to solve that problem. Keep in mind that the temp you see is from where the sensor is in the line. It sits next to the oil filter. It is lower than the temp of the oil that is in the bottom end of the engine. The oil temp at the crank, connected rods etc is higher. That is important when you are at the higher temps.
One added note here. Everyone gets really focused on the oil temps. Which is a good thing. But the drive train is a package. I don't subscribe to letting it idle for 10-15mins to get the oil to 150 then assuming it is ok to run it hard. The car is sitting still. I want to drive it and get the PS, Trans, Diff fluids warm too! That diff fluid is 75w-90 fear oil. It needs some miles of moving to get warmed up and protect the internals. Trans and PS fluid warm up pretty quick since they are thin. But still need some miles on them to get warm.
The only fluid in the car I don't worry about temperature is the windshield washer fluid
One added note here. Everyone gets really focused on the oil temps. Which is a good thing. But the drive train is a package. I don't subscribe to letting it idle for 10-15mins to get the oil to 150 then assuming it is ok to run it hard. The car is sitting still. I want to drive it and get the PS, Trans, Diff fluids warm too! That diff fluid is 75w-90 fear oil. It needs some miles of moving to get warmed up and protect the internals. Trans and PS fluid warm up pretty quick since they are thin. But still need some miles on them to get warm.
The only fluid in the car I don't worry about temperature is the windshield washer fluid
Race Director
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From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Always listen to your mechanic and your accountant
Le Mans Master
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi 03 Anti-venom -
By the time it reaches 145 degrees fehrenheit, Mobil1 is probably flowing pretty good IMO.
You should let the oil warm up to max normal operatting range (in any engine) so that any condensation or other potential moisture in the crankcase can get "boiled off".
I would refrain from WOT settings on cold startup in freezing conditions....
I have no scientific proof or evidence to back up this claim, just common sense here.
Ideally, you should not drive it hard until it is at the "ideal" temperature.
Did you do any harm spinning the engine to redline with the Mobil1 synthetic oil at 145 degrees indicated? No - not in my opinion.
best regards -
mqqn
By the time it reaches 145 degrees fehrenheit, Mobil1 is probably flowing pretty good IMO.
You should let the oil warm up to max normal operatting range (in any engine) so that any condensation or other potential moisture in the crankcase can get "boiled off".
I would refrain from WOT settings on cold startup in freezing conditions....
I have no scientific proof or evidence to back up this claim, just common sense here.
Ideally, you should not drive it hard until it is at the "ideal" temperature.
Did you do any harm spinning the engine to redline with the Mobil1 synthetic oil at 145 degrees indicated? No - not in my opinion.
best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 4
From: TX
Hi 03 Anti-venom -
By the time it reaches 145 degrees fehrenheit, Mobil1 is probably flowing pretty good IMO.
You should let the oil warm up to max normal operatting range (in any engine) so that any condensation or other potential moisture in the crankcase can get "boiled off".
I would refrain from WOT settings on cold startup in freezing conditions....
I have no scientific proof or evidence to back up this claim, just common sense here.
Ideally, you should not drive it hard until it is at the "ideal" temperature.
Did you do any harm spinning the engine to redline with the Mobil1 synthetic oil at 145 degrees indicated? No - not in my opinion.
best regards -
mqqn
By the time it reaches 145 degrees fehrenheit, Mobil1 is probably flowing pretty good IMO.
You should let the oil warm up to max normal operatting range (in any engine) so that any condensation or other potential moisture in the crankcase can get "boiled off".
I would refrain from WOT settings on cold startup in freezing conditions....
I have no scientific proof or evidence to back up this claim, just common sense here.
Ideally, you should not drive it hard until it is at the "ideal" temperature.
Did you do any harm spinning the engine to redline with the Mobil1 synthetic oil at 145 degrees indicated? No - not in my opinion.
best regards -
mqqn
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land TX
St. Jude Donor '08
Ditto...I usially let the car "warm up" at idle for a few minutes to get the oil temp to at least 100, then take it easy shifting at less than 2500 rpms untill the temp gets up to 160 before "hammering it".
