What do you guys think of running a heavier oil like 10w40 for a IX with 380whpish? I know when I was at AMS last they used it on my car, but I'm wondering what you guys do out there with similar power levels? I typically run a 10w30, I tried a 0w30 once but I didn't like how it turned out all that much...

Chime in!

Also, I did do a search and one thread came up but it didn't get very far

 

with stock engine tolerances, the engine generally produces more heat than necessary if using a higher weighted oil. Stick with 10w30 until you build the block.

 

thanks! so it doesn't matter too much what power level you're at (unless you get crazy high up there, of course)?

 

It mosly depends on piston to wall clearance and aslo some other engine specs. If your on oem clearance then just use 10w 30 summer and if your at very cold locations you can do 5w 30 in winter.

 

Sure you can use the 10w-40 oil with that setup especially if you
like to run your vehicle hard. Also the engine will not use as much
oil and the oil will have a higher film strength than both the 0w-30
and 10w-30 formulations, which means it won't breakdown as quickly.
Most people don't realize how much the engine oil is abused in our
vehicles. I have tried a few brands of motor oils including Royal Purple,
Mobil One, Redline and Amsoil. The one that I prefer most is the
Amsoil 10w-40 with the high zinc content, which is great for our
high reving and demanding application. As far as the engine tolerances
is concerned including piston to wall, bearing clearance and overall oil
pressure through the motor a slightly heavier motor oil does not make
that much of a difference. Now if we were talking about a 15w-50 weight
oil then engine tolerances and build specs would need to be altered.

 

Just wanted to chime in, 10W40 is not required however, if you want to beat on the car a high content of zinc and phosforus in oil wich can be found in 10W40.

you also have to keep in mind that if you have stock tolerances you cant put higher viscocity oils they can harm you more than what they can help you.
quick example; take a glass of sirup and a glass of orange juice and use the same straw to sip on both glases, you will have a problem sipping sirup, that is the problem the oil pump will have pushing the oil like 20w50 for example, remember this is on a stock toleranced engine, this may be different on a built engine where the tolerances have been openned.

at that power level you are fine at running 10W30 as long as its a good fully synthetic 10W30, iam running around that power and always have been running 10W30, i have plenty customers that are up in the 50k miles + and are going hard with 430WHP and running 10W30.

 

thanks - i'll probably stick with 10w30 at least until i get a new turbo (maybe bbk full?)

 

With a built engine (BR STG 3) and a 2.4 STG 2, i was recommended to use 20w50 oil, with high zink content. But, those are on built engines, as far as stock block, i agree with the others.

 

Of course they would recommend a heavier weight oil due to the fact that almost
all the bearing tolerances are on the loose side compared to the factory short block
clearances and specs.

 

i got a fully built block and head and running a precision 6765 turbo, twin scroll. what would you guys recomend for oil...iv'e been using 10w40...

????? thanks

 

run the 10w-30 and see what your temps are. If they're dangerously high (300 degrees)swap to a higher viscosity oil and see if that helps or vise-versa.

It gets tricky too, as thinner oil helps move heat much faster than a heavier weight oil keeping everything cool...

the thicker oil will also decrease power output due to the fact the motor has to work a little harder moving it. And it can also increase your temps due to the fact that it isnt removing the heat all to well as its pretty much static...

dont quote me though...

 

you are fine.

if you want to step it up you can run a 15W50 racing oil wich contains high percentages of Zinc and Phos these two are anti wear additives that will just help you.

Valvoline wont stand a chance next to this baby

 

you are right on track,