Lower Engine Temps
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
Re: Lower Engine Temps (bnpb)
Depends upon what you want/need.
The lowest continuous operating temperature is set by the thermostat. So even if you came up with an oil that used absolutely no power to pump, and provided absolutely friction free surfaces, the engine would run at the temp of the thermostat.
When an oil is too thick, there are additional pumping losses associated with moving this fluid around the engine for lubrication and cooling. This can make an engine run hotter at a race track (high RPMs -> more pumping losses). The effect is subtle, and usely not more than 7 degrees (or so). One can determine the optimal oil to use at the race track (not drag strip) by carefully monitoring the oil temperature. An oil that is too thick will increase operating temps, and an oil that is too thin will also increase operating temp. However, the minimum temperature is fairly broad with respect to oil numbering (0W30-10W30 for example).
It is completely possible that changing from 5W30 Mobil 1 to 5W30 Redline to lower engine temps by 1-3 degrees simply becausee at 100dC Redline oil is slightly thinner! 10.2 cSt where as M1 is 11.3 cSt. The actual lubrication difference is (in the vioce of Lawrance of Arabia) "a triffling".
The lowest continuous operating temperature is set by the thermostat. So even if you came up with an oil that used absolutely no power to pump, and provided absolutely friction free surfaces, the engine would run at the temp of the thermostat.
When an oil is too thick, there are additional pumping losses associated with moving this fluid around the engine for lubrication and cooling. This can make an engine run hotter at a race track (high RPMs -> more pumping losses). The effect is subtle, and usely not more than 7 degrees (or so). One can determine the optimal oil to use at the race track (not drag strip) by carefully monitoring the oil temperature. An oil that is too thick will increase operating temps, and an oil that is too thin will also increase operating temp. However, the minimum temperature is fairly broad with respect to oil numbering (0W30-10W30 for example).
It is completely possible that changing from 5W30 Mobil 1 to 5W30 Redline to lower engine temps by 1-3 degrees simply becausee at 100dC Redline oil is slightly thinner! 10.2 cSt where as M1 is 11.3 cSt. The actual lubrication difference is (in the vioce of Lawrance of Arabia) "a triffling".
