What oil do you use?

racerron5 · 02-16-2010, 01:09 AM

Ok, I know this sounds simple but what oil is everyone using these days in a mild..... say 10.5 to 1 small block with a hydraulic cam? Maybe sees 6200 rpm max. Chevrolet iron heads also.

People are trying to steer my to really expensive oval track oil like Joe Gibbs brand. Isn't there any normal oil anymore that is any good?

Thanks much!
Ron

Ed Carpenter · 02-16-2010, 02:11 AM

Mobil1

Myron Piatek · 02-16-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerron5

Isn't there any normal oil anymore that is any good?

Thanks much!
Ron

There is an ongoing debate about the benefits of zinc in oil for flat tappet cam break-in and longevity, particularly in performance applications, that "normal oil" has very little of any more. Even diesel oils have been reformulated due to emissions. That's why there are oil manufacturers who advertise higher zinc content oils and others who make additives.

Personally, I prefer Amsoil products and use their Dominator series in my race car.

Amsoil Flat Tappet and Camshaft Lobe Lubrication TSB:
http://www.syntheticwarehouse.com/br...lat_Tappet.pdf

Amsoil source & info site:
http://www.thelubepage.com

Dennis P Chapman · 02-16-2010, 01:11 PM

Mobil 1 also.

Jim Kaekel · 02-16-2010, 01:27 PM

I've run Mobil 1 in the past, but beware, they have removed much of the ZDDP to meet new emissions standards. I do believe that Mobil 1 has recently introduced a racing-only oil that does not have to meet emissions and has the necessary ZDDP additives.

Oclk Dlux · 02-16-2010, 01:40 PM

Probably a silly idea, but I've used the new Mobil 1, but with some GM EOS added to put the ZDDP back into the oil.

By the way, I've bought and used the ultra expensive Joe Gibbs oil and saw no improvements :^( I suppose I was faster as my wallet was lighter ($12/quart!!!)

House of Darts · 02-16-2010, 06:26 PM

Funny thing about modern motor. It is designed with detergents that remove particle build up on parts and internal surfaces. We have all seen old motors that are covered in sludge.The dtergent is desined not to allow this to happen. The detergent and the ZDDP compete for every surface that the oil touches. The ZDDP tries to bond to bare metal surfaces, under heat and pressure, and the detergent keeps removing it. So where is the protection? I am not sure of the Joe Gibbs race oil but the break in oil has no detergent in it. That's why it is superior for breaking in any new motor especially a high lift/high spring rate flat tappet cam. The ZDDP can plate itself to all the friction parts of the motor( cam and lifters) without fear of the detergent removing it. Brad Penn and Sunoco Blue race oils have lots of ZDDP and small amounts of detergent when compared to modern day oils. A synthetic oil flows better than a conventional oil. As such it coats the surfaces easier than a conventional oil. With this aspect, its lubricity is greater that a conventional oil. As a race engine, a motor gets better attention that a everyday driver and the sludge build up is never an issue. If you look at road race engines( not the exoitcs) they use 20-50 in their crankcase. They qualify,compete and win with that thick stuff. As S/SS racers we would use water if it could work. So for a recommendation I would say Brad Penn. Its reasonably priced, it's a partial synthetic, has plenty of ZDDP, low detergent levels and that green color(naturally occurring in it's crude state) is easy to read on the dipstick.

Michael Beard · 02-16-2010, 06:53 PM

CAM2 Blue Blood Racing Oil. It's a high zinc and high phospherous formulation. I run their full synthetic 0w30 in my crate motor Stocker, which I also bracket race -- combined for 55-58 races a year. I feel that the thinner oils are more consistent in the late rounds as they can't thin out like a heavy oil when you've gone through a lot of heat cycles.

CAM2 also makes 15w30 and 20w50 synthetic blends, and gear lube as well. You can order right off their website, cam2racing.com

Tim H · 02-16-2010, 08:24 PM

Valvoline VR1 oil for street use, Valvoline Racing oil (the not street legal type) for racing engine. Both have ZDDP. As many will recall this oil topic was discussed on this forum a while back , in great length.

art leong · 02-16-2010, 08:43 PM

I'm going to try Schaeffer 20w40 blended oil. I heard some great things about it on the dyno and from the circle track guys. We will see how it is on the dragstrip. It's a lot cheaper than a lot of the other racing oils. And it is green like Brad Penn

02-16-2010, 01:09 AM	#1
racerron5 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 15 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What oil do you use? Ok, I know this sounds simple but what oil is everyone using these days in a mild..... say 10.5 to 1 small block with a hydraulic cam? Maybe sees 6200 rpm max. Chevrolet iron heads also. People are trying to steer my to really expensive oval track oil like Joe Gibbs brand. Isn't there any normal oil anymore that is any good? Thanks much! Ron

02-16-2010, 02:11 AM	#2
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: What oil do you use? Mobil1 __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

02-16-2010, 01:11 PM	#4
Dennis P Chapman VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toms River NJ Posts: 1,594 Likes: 411 Liked 53 Times in 25 Posts	Re: What oil do you use? Mobil 1 also. __________________ Dennis P Chapman 1904 STK NHRA National Record Holder Car Owner.

02-16-2010, 01:27 PM	#5
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226 Likes: 133 Liked 529 Times in 107 Posts	Re: What oil do you use? I've run Mobil 1 in the past, but beware, they have removed much of the ZDDP to meet new emissions standards. I do believe that Mobil 1 has recently introduced a racing-only oil that does not have to meet emissions and has the necessary ZDDP additives. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

02-16-2010, 01:40 PM	#6
Oclk Dlux Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 56 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: What oil do you use? Probably a silly idea, but I've used the new Mobil 1, but with some GM EOS added to put the ZDDP back into the oil. By the way, I've bought and used the ultra expensive Joe Gibbs oil and saw no improvements :^( I suppose I was faster as my wallet was lighter ($12/quart!!!) __________________ Rich Hedden 6011 BF/S Last edited by Oclk Dlux; 02-16-2010 at 01:43 PM. Reason: another thought

02-16-2010, 06:26 PM	#7
House of Darts Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 346 Likes: 19 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: What oil do you use? Funny thing about modern motor. It is designed with detergents that remove particle build up on parts and internal surfaces. We have all seen old motors that are covered in sludge.The dtergent is desined not to allow this to happen. The detergent and the ZDDP compete for every surface that the oil touches. The ZDDP tries to bond to bare metal surfaces, under heat and pressure, and the detergent keeps removing it. So where is the protection? I am not sure of the Joe Gibbs race oil but the break in oil has no detergent in it. That's why it is superior for breaking in any new motor especially a high lift/high spring rate flat tappet cam. The ZDDP can plate itself to all the friction parts of the motor( cam and lifters) without fear of the detergent removing it. Brad Penn and Sunoco Blue race oils have lots of ZDDP and small amounts of detergent when compared to modern day oils. A synthetic oil flows better than a conventional oil. As such it coats the surfaces easier than a conventional oil. With this aspect, its lubricity is greater that a conventional oil. As a race engine, a motor gets better attention that a everyday driver and the sludge build up is never an issue. If you look at road race engines( not the exoitcs) they use 20-50 in their crankcase. They qualify,compete and win with that thick stuff. As S/SS racers we would use water if it could work. So for a recommendation I would say Brad Penn. Its reasonably priced, it's a partial synthetic, has plenty of ZDDP, low detergent levels and that green color(naturally occurring in it's crude state) is easy to read on the dipstick.

02-16-2010, 06:53 PM	#8
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: What oil do you use? CAM2 Blue Blood Racing Oil. It's a high zinc and high phospherous formulation. I run their full synthetic 0w30 in my crate motor Stocker, which I also bracket race -- combined for 55-58 races a year. I feel that the thinner oils are more consistent in the late rounds as they can't thin out like a heavy oil when you've gone through a lot of heat cycles. CAM2 also makes 15w30 and 20w50 synthetic blends, and gear lube as well. You can order right off their website, cam2racing.com __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

02-16-2010, 08:24 PM	#9
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,039 Likes: 1,062 Liked 481 Times in 158 Posts	Re: What oil do you use? Valvoline VR1 oil for street use, Valvoline Racing oil (the not street legal type) for racing engine. Both have ZDDP. As many will recall this oil topic was discussed on this forum a while back , in great length. Last edited by Tim H; 02-17-2010 at 07:33 PM.

02-16-2010, 08:43 PM	#10
art leong VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Richmond Hill, Georgia Posts: 2,003 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: What oil do you use? I'm going to try Schaeffer 20w40 blended oil. I heard some great things about it on the dyno and from the circle track guys. We will see how it is on the dragstrip. It's a lot cheaper than a lot of the other racing oils. And it is green like Brad Penn __________________ Art Leong 2095 SS