A MUST READ for Oil Temps for Tracking

[White_SS/RS]

Here are my results using M1 5/30. The oil is holding up well to the heat. In this sample the oil temp was running at about 290. I switched to M1 0/40 this season and I've noticed higher oil temps, about 310, we'll see how that looks when I send it in for analysis.

[JusticePete]

Why 0/40

[White_SS/RS]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

Why 0/40

Mainly for a Slight bump in oil pressure. Although it seems to be offset with the increase in temp. At this point I'm rethinking my oil selection altogether.

[Camaro Dude]

[X25]

I was at the track today with my supercharged Miata. With my large air-to-oil cooler, radiator, thermostat, etc., I was seeing oil temps stabilize around 270-280 degrees F range when the ambient temp was around 85-90 degrees. Today, at 60-65 degrees F ambient, the max oil temp I saw was 250s, and it was usually in 240s or less. I also saw 270s F with my 1LE at hot ambient temps, so I suspect I'd see similar temps if I were driving the Camaro.

Speaking of which, there was a Corvette, ZL1, and a Z/28; it would be nice to attend with the 1LE : )

[wakespeak]

Here is the last report I did. Has 2 track days at TWS the previous May. As I recall oil temps got to third tick mark. The total miles on the car were 24,666 (not 74,666). Oil: Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30. The high viscosity is reflecting the high HTHS (3.68) of this European spec'd oil.

[JusticePete]

Good looking report.

[wakespeak]

While I am thinking about it...the single biggest contributor to poor oil reports in my years reviewing them on bobistheoilguy.com was not oil viscosity, brand, etc.

It was DIRT! Ie silicon levels were high or even a little high. So be careful with less restrictive filters and poor fitting CAI systems. If you open the engine consider an immediate oil change afterwards.

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by wakespeak

While I am thinking about it...the single biggest contributor to poor oil reports in my years reviewing them on bobistheoilguy.com was not oil viscosity, brand, etc.

It was DIRT! Ie silicon levels were high or even a little high. So be careful with less restrictive filters and poor fitting CAI systems. If you open the engine consider an immediate oil change afterwards.

Good info, this does not surprise me! I have come to the conclusion that using freshly changed, high quality synthetic oil before tracking is the ticket. Oil is like religion, I gave up on trying to find the perfect brand. Perhaps one brand or viscosity is incrementally better than another, but unless you are on the ragged edge on oil temps, they probably all do the job. Interesting about the dirt, thanks for sharing.

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by Orange Crush 1LE

Good info, this does not surprise me! I have come to the conclusion that using freshly changed, high quality synthetic oil before tracking is the ticket. Oil is like religion, I gave up on trying to find the perfect brand. Perhaps one brand or viscosity is incrementally better than another, but unless you are on the ragged edge on oil temps, they probably all do the job. Interesting about the dirt, thanks for sharing.

I use a different analogy.

Somebody back in the day who I was debating oil with, once said, dino oil is better because it's "natural".



What was I supposed to say to him? lol

Religion choice just follow what is "original", and least tampered with. Kind of like buying a used car. Original is where it's at , not modded over 15 plus times and even in an accident.

[White_SS/RS]

I agree with Orange Crush. For the most part oil is oil, aside from Synthetic/conventional, viscosity, or any significant differences in the additives you really can't go wrong.

As I brought up in another thread concerning oil temps... What do you suppose GM does during its 24 hr on track endurance testing? You know they are witnessing the same issues we concern ourselves with regarding oil temps.

[White_SS/RS]

After reviewing the owners manual I found that there is a high oil temp warning that will alert you. Can anyone confirm what temp this warning is displayed. It has to be over 310' since I've seen this temp on my car without having the warning displayed.

[X25]

Originally Posted by White_SS/RS

After reviewing the owners manual I found that there is a high oil temp warning that will alert you. Can anyone confirm what temp this warning is displayed. It has to be over 310' since I've seen this temp on my car without having the warning displayed.

It might then be 320 degrees F like the C7 Z06? That car's coolant warning is 240, and reduced engine power level is 255 degrees F.

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by X25

It might then be 320 degrees F like the C7 Z06? That car's coolant warning is 240, and reduced engine power level is 255 degrees F.

If it is, that seems way too high. I've seen temps in the 290s and never saw a warning either.