Oil temperature...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I'm guessing that the oil can get up to 230 when drove hard but I really don't know for sure. The day I had mine at the track it never got over 210 on the oil temp and the oil pressure never got below 25 pounds at idle. I guess GM claims 10 pounds at idle is ok but to me I wouldn't like it very much
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
I'm guessing that the oil can get up to 230 when drove hard but I really don't know for sure. The day I had mine at the track it never got over 210 on the oil temp and the oil pressure never got below 25 pounds at idle. I guess GM claims 10 pounds at idle is ok but to me I wouldn't like it very much
Mine gets up to 230 when I take it to the mall during the summer days here. I don't track mine so I can not say how hot is too hot.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 17
From: Santa Fe TX
When I ran 5w30, it routinely got to 215 and even 230 in regular traffic on hot days.
The oil looked dark black after 500 miles on an oil change.
When I put the cam in, I started running 15w50. Now the oil rarely gets above 205. The oil stays cleaner "looking" longer.
I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50.
The oil looked dark black after 500 miles on an oil change.
When I put the cam in, I started running 15w50. Now the oil rarely gets above 205. The oil stays cleaner "looking" longer.
I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
From: Calgary Alberta
Not sure if it is ideal, but I regularly get over 280 at the track. 
I set the oil temp to display in the DIC and when it gets that high I start a cool down lap. I don't think I've ever seen above 230 on the street.
Stock Z06, would love to add an oil cooler, but I can't because I run in SCCA SuperStock class when I AutoX.
I set the oil temp to display in the DIC and when it gets that high I start a cool down lap. I don't think I've ever seen above 230 on the street.Stock Z06, would love to add an oil cooler, but I can't because I run in SCCA SuperStock class when I AutoX.
Last edited by Rod B; Jul 23, 2008 at 09:48 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville Ga
When I ran 5w30, it routinely got to 215 and even 230 in regular traffic on hot days.
The oil looked dark black after 500 miles on an oil change.
When I put the cam in, I started running 15w50. Now the oil rarely gets above 205. The oil stays cleaner "looking" longer.
I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50.
The oil looked dark black after 500 miles on an oil change.
When I put the cam in, I started running 15w50. Now the oil rarely gets above 205. The oil stays cleaner "looking" longer.
I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
I'm guessing that the oil can get up to 230 when drove hard but I really don't know for sure. The day I had mine at the track it never got over 210 on the oil temp and the oil pressure never got below 25 pounds at idle. I guess GM claims 10 pounds at idle is ok but to me I wouldn't like it very much
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul MN
When I ran 5w30, it routinely got to 215 and even 230 in regular traffic on hot days.
The oil looked dark black after 500 miles on an oil change.
When I put the cam in, I started running 15w50. Now the oil rarely gets above 205. The oil stays cleaner "looking" longer.
I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50.
The oil looked dark black after 500 miles on an oil change.
When I put the cam in, I started running 15w50. Now the oil rarely gets above 205. The oil stays cleaner "looking" longer.
I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50.
Is it ok to run 15w50? The owners manual specifically says not to do this.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 17
From: Santa Fe TX
An aftermarket (and ported) hi flow oil pump was installed, But even after that, it was still running at those temps with 5w30. Honestly before the cam I didn't pay nearly as much attention to things like this.
I guess the ported oil pump could make a difference on being able to run thicker oil, but I think the reason the owners manual says to run 5w30 or 10w30 is for emissions and fuel efficiency. Hot thin oil is definitely not better for wear on engines. And on a brand new engine, you could argue that the clearances are to tight for thicker oil. Mine has 90k, so I'm sure the tolerances are a bit looser.
I guess the ported oil pump could make a difference on being able to run thicker oil, but I think the reason the owners manual says to run 5w30 or 10w30 is for emissions and fuel efficiency. Hot thin oil is definitely not better for wear on engines. And on a brand new engine, you could argue that the clearances are to tight for thicker oil. Mine has 90k, so I'm sure the tolerances are a bit looser.
Last edited by jedblanks; Jul 23, 2008 at 01:35 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Texas
It takes 4 psi of oil pressure to float the crank at idle. 6 psi is low, yes, but not detrimental. 6psi at 2500 or 4000 is another story.
40 psi @ top RPM is the least I would run before coming off and letting it cool. I have run 30 psi at high RPM, but I also shift at 7500. I do things most do not. We try to break stuff and find the limits so you guys do not have to
As for temp, 290-300 is HOT. Thats when I would come off the track and let it cool.
260-280 operating temp is fine for 20 minute sessions.
Hope that helps
40 psi @ top RPM is the least I would run before coming off and letting it cool. I have run 30 psi at high RPM, but I also shift at 7500. I do things most do not. We try to break stuff and find the limits so you guys do not have to
As for temp, 290-300 is HOT. Thats when I would come off the track and let it cool.
260-280 operating temp is fine for 20 minute sessions.
Hope that helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Mine is usually in the 200-220 range with temps ranging from 50-80 degrees. I have been touching 230 on these 95+ days with a city and highway mix driving. This is a H/C car with a ported oil pump running Mobile 5w30.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
Highest I have seen on mine at track is 288 but I also have a supercharger. I also run with oil temp on dic, but I think I will start paying more attention to pressure.
BTW, that is a nice looking C6 Louis
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BTW, that is a nice looking C6 Louis
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Never run 15-50 with a stock lower end... stock rods and mains...
it will destroy your crank and cam cam bearing over time.. clearances and design dictate viscosity.. not oil pressure.
for the guy who see 230 at the track... are you actually ON the track????
any LSX motor on the track will see 250/260 F as normal... we see many cars at 280/290... this is where its time to cool down..
it will destroy your crank and cam cam bearing over time.. clearances and design dictate viscosity.. not oil pressure.
for the guy who see 230 at the track... are you actually ON the track????
any LSX motor on the track will see 250/260 F as normal... we see many cars at 280/290... this is where its time to cool down..
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 239
Likes: 2
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by jedblanks
"I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50."
You could try Rotella T Synthetic. It's 15W-40 and is made for diesels. I'm running it in my BMW GS aircooled bike and it seems to be great! And, it's about $15/$16 per gallon at Wally World! There's more "stuff" in it than Mobil 1 (sorry, didn't mean to get so technical!), so you might want to check out use of cats with it. HTH
Dennis
"I tried 10w30, but unfortunately there isn't a synthetic between 10w30 and 15w50."
You could try Rotella T Synthetic. It's 15W-40 and is made for diesels. I'm running it in my BMW GS aircooled bike and it seems to be great! And, it's about $15/$16 per gallon at Wally World! There's more "stuff" in it than Mobil 1 (sorry, didn't mean to get so technical!), so you might want to check out use of cats with it. HTH
Dennis
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Never run 15-50 with a stock lower end... stock rods and mains...
it will destroy your crank and cam cam bearing over time.. clearances and design dictate viscosity.. not oil pressure.
for the guy who see 230 at the track... are you actually ON the track????
any LSX motor on the track will see 250/260 F as normal... we see many cars at 280/290... this is where its time to cool down..
it will destroy your crank and cam cam bearing over time.. clearances and design dictate viscosity.. not oil pressure.
for the guy who see 230 at the track... are you actually ON the track????
any LSX motor on the track will see 250/260 F as normal... we see many cars at 280/290... this is where its time to cool down..
Most engine wear occurs at startup when the time it takes oil to "pump up" to pressure is crucial. I have seen 260F during very curvy mountain runs. The oil cools quickly on the way down!
