Oil weight selection for track use
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,887
From: Toronto
Mobil 1 came out with a new 0W-40 Dexos 2 oil that can be used on both the street and track. Below is an excerpt from the 2019 owners manual which applies to your 2014 (with exception that you have 5W-30 factory fill)
The engine is factory filled with
0W-40 dexos2 oil. For LT1 and LT4
engines only, 0W-40 dexos2 engine
oil is approved for both track and
street use. 15W-50 full synthetic
engine oil may also be used for
track use, but after track use must
be changed back to 0W-40 dexos2
for street use. If 0W-40 dexos2 oil is
not available, 5W-30 dexos1 full
synthetic engine oil may be used for
street use. If 5W-30 dexos1 is used,
it must be changed to 0W-40
dexos2 or 15W-50 full synthetic
engine oil for track use.
For the LT5 engine, SAE 15W-50
full synthetic engine oil must be
used for track use, but after track
use must be changed back to
0W-40 dexos2 for street use.
The engine is factory filled with
0W-40 dexos2 oil. For LT1 and LT4
engines only, 0W-40 dexos2 engine
oil is approved for both track and
street use. 15W-50 full synthetic
engine oil may also be used for
track use, but after track use must
be changed back to 0W-40 dexos2
for street use. If 0W-40 dexos2 oil is
not available, 5W-30 dexos1 full
synthetic engine oil may be used for
street use. If 5W-30 dexos1 is used,
it must be changed to 0W-40
dexos2 or 15W-50 full synthetic
engine oil for track use.
For the LT5 engine, SAE 15W-50
full synthetic engine oil must be
used for track use, but after track
use must be changed back to
0W-40 dexos2 for street use.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I have a 15 Z06 that I ran M1 15W50 during track season. However, I wanted to get away from switching back to 5W30 when the season ended. I started using M1 Dexos 2 ESP oil when it came time to change oil at the end of the 2018 track season. I ran all last season with the 0W40 and found it to work quite well. It also lowered my on track engine temps by about 5 degrees from previous years.
The way I see it is better for me on track and reduces the number of oil changes from two to one per year.
Bill
The way I see it is better for me on track and reduces the number of oil changes from two to one per year.
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
For my first oil change I ran the 15W-50. Being in FL I don't have to worry about temperatures below 40 degrees.
However on the last oil change I switched to the 0W-40 just so I'm following the rules (out of warranty so it doesn't really matter)
Oil temp seems to peak around 260 on track with stock Z51 grille and stock cooling. I think the factory aux cooler would be a good addition.
5W-50 seems like it would be the sweet spot for cold start, decent mileage, plus some overhead for high track temps. Love to hear other's take on this topic.
However on the last oil change I switched to the 0W-40 just so I'm following the rules (out of warranty so it doesn't really matter)
Oil temp seems to peak around 260 on track with stock Z51 grille and stock cooling. I think the factory aux cooler would be a good addition.
5W-50 seems like it would be the sweet spot for cold start, decent mileage, plus some overhead for high track temps. Love to hear other's take on this topic.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,518
Likes: 942
From: Fl
I have a 15 Z06 that I ran M1 15W50 during track season. However, I wanted to get away from switching back to 5W30 when the season ended. I started using M1 Dexos 2 ESP oil when it came time to change oil at the end of the 2018 track season. I ran all last season with the 0W40 and found it to work quite well. It also lowered my on track engine temps by about 5 degrees from previous years.
The way I see it is better for me on track and reduces the number of oil changes from two to one per year.
Bill
The way I see it is better for me on track and reduces the number of oil changes from two to one per year.
Bill
I changed mine 8 times last year(dealer did the 1st, I did 7), pretty much after every 3rd track day. Still feel like I could have done it more often, oil is a small expense for an expensive motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 522
From: Central Jersey
in 2018 I ran my Z51 with 15W50 and Z06 frt grill and saw max water 250* and max oil 284*
Last year (2019) I added the Z06 AUX RADIATOR and the new 0W40 oil.
Same track and same month but a year later. and max water was 207* max oil was 259* Impressive.
I sent sample to Blackstone at the end of the season with 5500+ miles and 3 track days on the oil.
The 0W40 showed viscosity at 250*F and 100*C just very slightly below the normal range (thin) for 0W40. TBN was good at 3.2
They suggested that there may have been residual amount of the 5W30 from the prior fill.
Will take another sample during regular track prep in the spring.
Last year (2019) I added the Z06 AUX RADIATOR and the new 0W40 oil.
Same track and same month but a year later. and max water was 207* max oil was 259* Impressive.
I sent sample to Blackstone at the end of the season with 5500+ miles and 3 track days on the oil.
The 0W40 showed viscosity at 250*F and 100*C just very slightly below the normal range (thin) for 0W40. TBN was good at 3.2
They suggested that there may have been residual amount of the 5W30 from the prior fill.
Will take another sample during regular track prep in the spring.
Last edited by blueray16; Feb 12, 2020 at 10:43 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL