HPDE oil weight

[dontlifttoshift]

I ran FR20 first and had issues with Cam Phasers codes, there is a thread I started in this subforum.......at track days and autocross. The weather was warm but not hot, mid 80s. The way it was explained to me was the the cam phasers are last in line on the pressure train, if there is not enough pressure left, no variable cam timing. That car is a dog without it. I talked to Lake Speed at Driven and he recommend that I change to FR50 and have had zero issues since.

Our 2012 ran on FR20 without issue under the same conditions in the past, I didn't even realize 50 was available until I spoke with Speed.

I should note that our car is stock but always has two drivers. So trackdays were one session on, one off, one on, etc so it never really got a break.

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[DickR]

I ran FR20 first and had issues with Cam Phasers codes, there is a thread I started in this subforum.......at track days and autocross. The weather was warm but not hot, mid 80s. The way it was explained to me was the the cam phasers are last in line on the pressure train, if there is not enough pressure left, no variable cam timing. That car is a dog without it. I talked to Lake Speed at Driven and he recommend that I change to FR50 and have had zero issues since.

Our 2012 ran on FR20 without issue under the same conditions in the past, I didn't even realize 50 was available until I spoke with Speed.

I should note that our car is stock but always has two drivers. So trackdays were one session on, one off, one on, etc so it never really got a break.

Good info!

1) Did you get any info from Lake regarding downside (start up wear or other except fuel mileage) from the 5w-50?

2) Did you happen to monitor oil pressure and/or temps in autocross conditions? I've monitored mine (2015 GT) using Mobil 1 5w-20 on hot days including an EVO TnT with MANY back to back runs with no indication of codes, power loss, low pressure, or higher than green zone temps. Lots of high revs including rev limiter.

Big cost jump obviously between Walmart Mobil 1 and any of the super oils such as FR50 or Redline IF my autox use doesn't need it.

Thanks!

 

[dontlifttoshift]

In theory, it's all 5 weight at start up, the car doesn't see real cold weather, the car the way we use it averages about 10 mpg so I didn't ask those questions as they weren't a concern for me.

No. I have the gauge on the dash (PP) but rarely look at it. Oil temp is usually what I have up on the display and have never seen red but have been close, even on autocross. Since that is all based on a program, I do not put much faith in it.

You probably don't _need_ it. I tend to run Driven oil on most everything. I stock their hot rod oil (conventional) at the shop for the old cars so I just run it (that brand, not that oil) in everything.

I am not an oil expert, I can count on one hand the hours I have spent reading about oil, most of those relating to ZDDP for early cars with flat tappet cams. People smarter than me use and recommend the Driven oil so I take their word for it.

 

[TNcoupe]

Ok, just dropped 8 quarts of Driven FR50 in for the track day tomorrow. Oil filter and drain plug are tight with no leaks....yet I can only get it to show about 4 quarts on the dipstick. Does it just not drain back down into the pan or stick to the dipstick?

Holding about 80psi at idle cold and took the cap off and everything in the top end is getting oil.

 

[jasonstang]

At least 5W30, if on shorter tracks without long straights for cooling, 5W40.

 

[dontlifttoshift]

4 qts wouldn't even show up on the dipstick. We need a picture of dipstick.

 

[TNcoupe]

Picture upload failed. It has sat for about an hour now and is up above the bottom dot on the dipstick. Guess it wasnt wanting to drain since it was 35deg this morning.

Threw another quart in it and called it good. Will check it in the morning before we get started.

 

[OrangeCrush]

I wonder if anyone has had issues running the 5w-20 that comes in it? Seems an odd choice for a car with a PP/track pack option.

 

[BmacIL]

I wonder if anyone has had issues running the 5w-20 that comes in it? Seems an odd choice for a car with a PP/track pack option.

For an engine with very tight bearing clearances, it's not. It's more important that you have a constant flow through the journal of oil with high shear strength over higher viscosity. Some of the best full synthetic 5W-20 will outperform many 30, 40 at high temps.

Examples:

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/motor-oil-wear-test-ranking/


http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/oil-all-the-data-1667481179

 

[TNcoupe]

Ran the Driven FR50 all day at Road Atlanta Friday and had zero issues. Car seemed to idle smoother and rev better than Mobil 1 with 1500mi on it. Ambient temps at the track were around 60deg all day and oil temp never went further than vertical on the temp gauge.

 

[427Z]

Change trans, rear, and oil after every event sounds ridiculous. Plenty of people run the oil on vettes for 3 or more track days and the oil analysis shows the oil can easily last several more events.

 

[apex15stangPP]

I change oil when the meter says 50% this usually takes 3 hard events. I then do all the rest, the rear end I check before every event to make sure there is fluid in there.

I'm going to try and run 50W this season for the first time,( ran 30W last year) I have a problem keeping the oil in the motor..LOL my catch can fills up in the 15 mins and its a 1 QT!! Had to put the stock piping back on and then it drips out of the intake, so I'm hoping the thicker oil holds up better on track. Also drilled and hole in the oil cap and put a filter on it to help with blow by pressure.

 

[NWFreerider]

Anyone know what weight the GT350/350R use?

 

[apex15stangPP]

5w-50

 

[NWFreerider]

Is that what you plan on using? I know they are different engines but it would seem that it would be OK to use in the 5.0.

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