A MUST READ for Oil Temps for Tracking

[Camaro Dude]

I'm sure you all know this, but don't over-clean your oiled K&N filters, regardless of who the actual cold air intake manufacturer is. Also don't over oil it.

A properly oiled, slightly dirty oiled K&N filter, will filter out contaminants the best, whilst still flowing better than OEM.

I see people cleaning their filters every 6months lol. Don't_do_that.

Originally Posted by hammdo

I clean the intake/tube/tap the filter after every race just to see if anything is getting past the filter. A quick cleaning and back together — sealed up tight...


-Don

Exactly. Good show.

Just tap it, to knock out larger stuff like wasps, cigarette buts, insects, etc.

[demonspeed]

Approaching four years since the last post here, but figured I'd throw my more recent experience in for posterity... There are two reports - the first is for my Camaro:

• Pitt Intl Raceway
• 2013 1LE ~80k miles
• Mods at the time were BTR4, Kooks, Rotofab, Tune
• Stock thermostat and oil cooler
• Three TNIA events (intermediate) on this sample with the rest of the miles beating the snot out of the car on the street and drag strip, and large autocross event (it's just a toy; hadn't changed the oil for over a year )
  Never paid attention to oil or coolant temps - it was brake issues I was fighting

Unfortunately, the excessive bronze noted in the report ended up being the "upgraded" trunnions - put a valve into #7, cracking it and bending the rod. To be fair, the cam swap and its "supporting mods" had around 50K on them, but the trunnions were worn oblong. Tearing everything down, I'd be able to torque them tight, but then they'd "pop" and loosen up. I was planning on replacing the springs right before this happened, but timing is everything. I don't blame this on any oil temps.

So... I have been all over the place with handling oil with this new engine, trying to research all these old threads, etc. Just going with a 379ci LS3 with G6X3 cam and mild bump in compression. For oiling, I'm just going to keep the OE cooler; however, I am swapping to a Z/28 thermostat (pn 12661950; 158*) and adding an oil temp gauge and wrapping my headers with some cheap Summit brand wrap. Also tossed in a IR windage tray for good measure. Engine builder wants me using PennGrade 10w40 partial synthetic, so it'll be interesting to see what the early analyses look like (since I will actually be more proactive this time as I would like to avoid another unexpected engine build). Just going to start with OE DEXCOOL mix, but I really don't anticipate any coolant issues.


The second oil analysis is for my DD which became my track car last year after the engine went in the Camaro:

• 2017 Regal GS AWD (2.0 LTG 260hp/300tq & 6spd auto)
• 4000#+ race weight
• 100% stock
• Dealer oil changes
• One TNIA at Pitt Race and an autocross event at UMIMP.

I had the OE oil temp gauge pegged (reads to 320* - actual temps could have been higher) and ended up hobbling around in limp mode halfway through my second session. Still came back as A-OK

On the other hand... the transmission did not like it and shit the bed about a month later. Since the transmission didn't go at the track - and there was some time between the event and when it went - any good cousin named Vinny could argue it was pure coincidence. Fortunately GM covered a full overhaul and torque converter.

That's all for now - will post back later in the season

Edit: I forgot that I wanted to mention that as I’m reading through the attempts to rationalize GM’s lack of solution for the oil issue - or their emphasis on aero at the expensive of mechanical - I just kept thinking NACA ducts. There’s got to be a way they could have integrated them into the 6th gen and C6+. I’m not an engineer, though, so what do I know… I’m just a program manager that pretends like I know what’s going on with the organized chaos

[ariZona28]

Thanks for resuscitating this informative thread, Demon. I'm OBSESSED with the oil temps in my track vehicle (C5 Z06). Eventually I will add an engine oil cooler but for now I just do a cool down lap or two when I get to 270*F. Coolant never gets above 210 or so. I also change the oil probably too much (every other track day) but I run the Mobil 1 0W-40 Euro that I get from A-zone for less than $30 a 5qt container. Mobil 1 filter also. Need to get a Blackstone report to check on engine health. As a novice I'm trying to focus on discipline and fundamentals while slowly doing mechanical improvements. I'm definitely hooked!

[demonspeed]

@ariZona28 one can easily go crazy trying to rationalize “safe” oil temps with the LS engines from what I’ve discovered. I’m more of a “just send it” type of person, but since getting hooked on the road course I’ve learned that may be an expensive mistake on top of an already expensive pastime. Drugs would have been less expensive and stressful.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Approaching four years since the last post here, but figured I'd throw my more recent experience in for posterity... There are two reports - the first is for my Camaro:

• Pitt Intl Raceway
• 2013 1LE ~80k miles
• Mods at the time were BTR4, Kooks, Rotofab, Tune
• Stock thermostat and oil cooler
• Three TNIA events (intermediate) on this sample with the rest of the miles beating the snot out of the car on the street and drag strip, and large autocross event (it's just a toy; hadn't changed the oil for over a year )
  Never paid attention to oil or coolant temps - it was brake issues I was fighting

Unfortunately, the excessive bronze noted in the report ended up being the "upgraded" trunnions - put a valve into #7, cracking it and bending the rod. To be fair, the cam swap and its "supporting mods" had around 50K on them, but the trunnions were worn oblong. Tearing everything down, I'd be able to torque them tight, but then they'd "pop" and loosen up. I was planning on replacing the springs right before this happened, but timing is everything. I don't blame this on any oil temps.

So... I have been all over the place with handling oil with this new engine, trying to research all these old threads, etc. Just going with a 379ci LS3 with G6X3 cam and mild bump in compression. For oiling, I'm just going to keep the OE cooler; however, I am swapping to a Z/28 thermostat (pn 12661950; 158*) and adding an oil temp gauge and wrapping my headers with some cheap Summit brand wrap. Also tossed in a IR windage tray for good measure. Engine builder wants me using PennGrade 10w40 partial synthetic, so it'll be interesting to see what the early analyses look like (since I will actually be more proactive this time as I would like to avoid another unexpected engine build). Just going to start with OE DEXCOOL mix, but I really don't anticipate any coolant issues.


The second oil analysis is for my DD which became my track car last year after the engine went in the Camaro:

• 2017 Regal GS AWD (2.0 LTG 260hp/300tq & 6spd auto)
• 4000#+ race weight
• 100% stock
• Dealer oil changes
• One TNIA at Pitt Race and an autocross event at UMIMP.

I had the OE oil temp gauge pegged (reads to 320* - actual temps could have been higher) and ended up hobbling around in limp mode halfway through my second session. Still came back as A-OK

On the other hand... the transmission did not like it and shit the bed about a month later. Since the transmission didn't go at the track - and there was some time between the event and when it went - any good cousin named Vinny could argue it was pure coincidence. Fortunately GM covered a full overhaul and torque converter.

That's all for now - will post back later in the season

Edit: I forgot that I wanted to mention that as I’m reading through the attempts to rationalize GM’s lack of solution for the oil issue - or their emphasis on aero at the expensive of mechanical - I just kept thinking NACA ducts. There’s got to be a way they could have integrated them into the 6th gen and C6+. I’m not an engineer, though, so what do I know… I’m just a program manager that pretends like I know what’s going on with the organized chaos

Hey Steve, hope you'll be at the track this year.

I think the OE oil cooler will not cut it on the road course with the big power you'll be making. High RPM doesn't help either. The IR oil cooler kit would probably be the best choice for peace of mind and protecting that bitchin' new motor.

[demonspeed]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Hey Steve, hope you'll be at the track this year.

I think the OE oil cooler will not cut it on the road course with the big power you'll be making. High RPM doesn't help either. The IR oil cooler kit would probably be the best choice for peace of mind and protecting that bitchin' new motor.

I know you’re right, especially since you’ve “been there, done that” on the same track. I actually found some aluminum shavings inside the thermostat of the OE cooler last night when I was going tap it for the temp sensor, so I’m now driving myself crazy with what to do

At this moment, I’m running a cooler delete and will go that way through the tuning and break in at least.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

I know you’re right, especially since you’ve “been there, done that” on the same track. I actually found some aluminum shavings inside the thermostat of the OE cooler last night when I was going tap it for the temp sensor, so I’m now driving myself crazy with what to do

At this moment, I’m running a cooler delete and will go that way through the tuning and break in at least.

LOL, I love that meme.

[demonspeed]

Finally got back out there this evening. As a reminder, I’ve removed the factory oil cooler, but I’m also running an OE Z28 thermostat:

- PennGrade 10w40 race oil (recommend by engine builder)
- Ambient air temps in the low 80’s
- 290’s steady oil temps
- 302 was the highest for a moment
- low 200’s/190’s coolant temps
- 212 was highest

Conclusion: I’m kinda “meh” with regard to worrying about it on the track.

[ariZona28]

Wow, 300 degrees. Seems kinda hot to me. I still think you should throw an aftermarket cooler on there and try to keep temps below 280. It definitely won't hurt to change that oil prior to the next track session.

[demonspeed]

I’ll pull a sample and send to blackstone for S&G’s

[h018871]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Unfortunately, the excessive bronze noted in the report ended up being the "upgraded" trunnions - put a valve into #7, cracking it and bending the rod. To be fair, the cam swap and its "supporting mods" had around 50K on them, but the trunnions were worn oblong. Tearing everything down, I'd be able to torque them tight, but then they'd "pop" and loosen up. I was planning on replacing the springs right before this happened, but timing is everything. I don't blame this on any oil temps.

what trunions did you go with in the new motor?

[demonspeed]

Originally Posted by h018871

what trunions did you go with in the new motor?

BTR shaft mount kit

[h018871]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

BTR shaft mount kit

Those are nice. Enjoy the new motor