Oil Analysis Results

[MrMike]

Should I be concerned about the iron and lead? With a perfect engine those should be zero, right?

Sponsored

 

[TonyNJ]

Here are some comparables. 30k 350R and a 11k mile GT500.

Do another oil change after 3k and no track time and see where you're at. It will most likely clear up.

 

[Rodpwnz]

I usually change my oil before 8K miles but I decided to see how results would look if I pushed the mileage out more. I did not track the car on this oil and I can’t remember if I added 0.5-1Qt within this 9K interval, but made a note that I may have to blackstone. I also paid to include TBN analysis for oil health/life. Results were great, despite now having very audible and random typewriter tick after most recent oil change. Blackstone even suggests pushing the oil change out to 11K to see what happens.

Your iron and lead levels don’t seem too out of place compared to the norm or to my results, especially considering you had multiple track days on it.

Here are my results testing wear on an extended oil change:

 

[MrMike]

Do another oil change after 3k and no track time and see where you're at. It will most likely clear up.

Driving 3k miles without going to the track might be a challenge lol. I space my track days out and change the oil at the end of the season.

Neither of you seem to have much if any lead. Kinda confused where the lead would come from, even with Blackstone's statement. I only get 93 at the track and it's a separate pump.

I guess I'll take two samples next year and monitor the iron?

At least PUP 5W-30 appears to be holding up well for my usage. No need to get TBN again.

 

[mikedahammer]

This is 5 reports from my old GT350. These reports were right a brand new gen 2 motor was installed. It was basically only really driven at the track once the break in miles were achieved on the new motor.

This will give you more to compare to. The column on the far right was after a 1,000 (break in) miles on a brand new gen 2 motor. Then moving from left to right is a sample after 807 more miles then 545, etc -- which would have been basically all track miles. I changed the oils that often because of track use.

 

[robvas]

Do they use lead in the bearings on the Voodoo and not the 5.0?

 

[WItoTX]

My own jaded opinion. That analysis is worth the paper it is printed on in regards to particulates in the oil.

By way of example. I knew my motor was letting go. visible particles in the oil, oil filter coated in particles, all of which were magnetic and silvery. And the particles would increase if I did a really fast (think CotA) event, and reduced if I had more local tracks, or AutoX on a given oil change. The engine failure was confirmed now that the engine has been removed, the cylinder walls have some pretty good scoring in them.

I sent off an analysis to Blackstone, just to see what I would get back. The response was "engine looks great, no signs of wear".

When I questioned them on it, their response was "We only look for particles you can't see with your eyes". When I explained that I understand, but that logic, reason, standard deviation, normal distribution all tell me that if there are large particles, there will in fact be small particles, I was told no, the engine doesn't always make small particles. So I pressed them on that, and asked when that would happen. Their response made no sense, and I gave up.

I would go elsewhere for an oil analysis. And just my opinion, but you have to do your own analysis as you change oil. Cut into the filter, inspect the oil, get a magnetic drain plug and photograph the plug every time you pull it to compare. Get yourself a borescope and take a peak when changing plugs. Listen to the engine on cold starts for changes in sound. All sorts of things you can do on your end. I wouldn't rely on Blackstone for anything other than telling you the condition of the oil itself, how much life is left, maybe if there is contaminants.

 

[SnowFox]

Consider this. Your oil is more fit for drinking than water in flint Michigan.

 

[robvas]

I sent off an analysis to Blackstone, just to see what I would get back. The response was "engine looks great, no signs of wear".

When I questioned them on it, their response was "We only look for particles you can't see with your eyes".

Depending on what source you use, a human hair is 50-70 microns across

Oil analysis doesn't detect anything BIGGER than 5 or 10 microns (depending on what kind of spectrometer or whatever they use)

So yes, anything it sees has to be 5 to 10 times smaller than a human hair!

I always thought like you, if there are visible chunks of metal or whatever in your oil, there should be smaller, non visibile chunks, but then again maybe the metal doesn't break off in parts that small?

And blackstone always loves saying stuff like "run it to 15k miles next time, it looks great!". But it's hard for me to not see that that oil was pretty dark and not think it was leaving oxidation etc al over your engine. Wondering how the ability for the engine to leave varnish behind etc is detected.

 

[GTP]

For the first time I tracked my car 4 days before changing the 0w40 oil. That was two track weekends, one of which was a high-speed track. Usually the %Life remaining goes to zero by lunchtime on the second day.

Oil analysis should be ready in the next couple days. I am waiting to see if the shear dropped below 40wt.

 

[MrMike]

I understand that this will not catch everything and they’re only targeting small pieces of wear items. I did not see anything large in the filter or drained oil.

To those not a fan, are you stating I should not worry at all and this is flat out nonsense?

Do they use lead in the bearings on the Voodoo and not the 5.0?

Yes this is the main thing I am confused about.

I am assuming I have increased wear from track use but lead>=10 seems very uncommon on these motors which is why I am concerned.

The iron is a given. Many have noted higher wear resulting in elevated iron from track use.

 

[MrMike]

For the first time I tracked my car 4 days before changing the 0w40 oil. That was two track weekends, one of which was a high-speed track. Usually the %Life remaining goes to zero by lunchtime on the second day.

Oil analysis should be ready in the next couple days. I am waiting to see if the shear dropped below 40wt.

This oil went five days and some street miles and held up well based on the bottom portion of the report. The oil monitor never hit 0. I’m definitely not as fast as you then.

 

[GTP]

I monitor %life drop for each session. It usually drops 12-15% per session.

I can post my Session Data Log spreadsheet here, if anyone is interested. Nothing fancy - just something I cooked up that I find helpful.

 

[WItoTX]

I understand that this will not catch everything and they’re only targeting small pieces of wear items. I did not see anything large in the filter or drained oil.

To those not a fan, are you stating I should not worry at all and this is flat out nonsense?

I am saying sure, be concerned, but realistically, the physical oil change, and your own findings in items I've listed (And I am sure other users can chime in on what they look for), in combination with what an analysis says, should be your decision maker.

The lead....I don't know where lead is in your engine. I just don't know enough about the Coyote. AI tells me there isn't any in a stock GT set up.

Have you owned the car since new? Is it possible another owner replaced the mains with a trimetal of some sort?

 

[MrMike]

I am saying sure, be concerned, but realistically, the physical oil change, and your own findings in items I've listed (And I am sure other users can chime in on what they look for), in combination with what an analysis says, should be your decision maker.

The lead....I don't know where lead is in your engine. I just don't know enough about the Coyote. AI tells me there isn't any in a stock GT set up.

Have you owned the car since new? Is it possible another owner replaced the mains with a trimetal of some sort?

I have owned the car since new.

The engine has the FP power pack 3, FP aluminum cam covers, and the FP VCT solenoids.

Sponsored