Track day oil advice please

gumpy · 07-22-2010, 07:40 PM

Looks like i'm hitting up a track late October.

currently I'm running 5w30 RP which was put in the car late May. The engine's running well but I know from seeing UOA's on BITOG that this oil is prone to thinning... It's fine for normal driving use I feel but a bit worried about it for tracking.

I don't go hard on the car on public roads and every 2nd week it sits in the garage because i'm away on business... I do about 8,000km in 6 months.

So... do i stay with the current oil, and change the oil after the track day? This is preferred as it'll be time for the 6 months service after the track day anyway... but i fear ruining the engine...

or change the oil (same) before the track day and stay with it for 6 months...

do i put in a thicker oil before the track day? if so how thick? and do i change it after or is it ok to stick with it for 6 months?

Considering 10w40 Motul 300v for the track day but not sure if i should go even higher in weight...

thanks in advance

WarmAndSCSI · 07-22-2010, 07:50 PM

Not sure if you all have them available there, but 2 off-the-shelf oils will serve you well:

Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (make sure it's the European car formula and made in Germany)
Mobil 1 0W-40

Both of these oils have superior HTHS (High Temperature High Shear) ratings to other "synthetics" and will work well for a track day.

Honestly, I would drain and fill the oil (you can retain the filter) soon after your track day event.

If you have a Red Line dealer, I would opt for Red Line 5W-30 or 10W-30. It's the bomb (WAY better than RP), but pricey.

gumpy · 07-22-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarmAndSCSI

Not sure if you all have them available there, but 2 off-the-shelf oils will serve you well:

Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (make sure it's the European car formula and made in Germany)
Mobil 1 0W-40

Both of these oils have superior HTHS (High Temperature High Shear) ratings to other "synthetics" and will work well for a track day.

Honestly, I would drain and fill the oil (you can retain the filter) soon after your track day event.

If you have a Red Line dealer, I would opt for Red Line 5W-30 or 10W-30. It's the bomb (WAY better than RP), but pricey.

You feel that sticking to Xw30 is ok when running at the high temps?

I'm pretty sure we don't get Syntec here but will look for the Mobile...

Mike · 07-22-2010, 09:06 PM

its expensive, but I just stick with the nissan ester oil. they didn't go through all the trouble of patenting their own oil for this engine for no reason. I figure with hotel, gas, brakes, registration, and average track weekend cost 1000-1500, so what is another 70 for the proper oil. I change it every two events.

LiquidZ · 07-22-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

its expensive, but I just stick with the nissan ester oil. they didn't go through all the trouble of patenting their own oil for this engine for no reason. I figure with hotel, gas, brakes, registration, and average track weekend cost 1000-1500, so what is another 70 for the proper oil. I change it every two events.

It might just be me, but I'm definitely not a fan of this Nissan oil. I wish the oil was comparable to Ford's Motorcraft line that was actually good. I personally would be hesitant to use the Nissan Ester at a track day. My recent UOA showed its viscosity was on the low side.

autopc25 · 07-23-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

its expensive, but I just stick with the nissan ester oil. they didn't go through all the trouble of patenting their own oil for this engine for no reason. I figure with hotel, gas, brakes, registration, and average track weekend cost 1000-1500, so what is another 70 for the proper oil. I change it every two events.

I agree. $20-$30 more per oil change over the life of the car is nothing when you factor in other ownership cost.

markymark · 07-24-2010, 07:39 AM

which track are u heading to?

I havent got an oil cooler (yet) and I've only had issues with limp mode towards the end of the day, for the 15min+ sessions at wakefield. Eastern creek was a little worse as they ran longer sessions and it has longer straights where you're flat out.

Even then one cooldown lap every 2-3 laps seemed to bring it down to acceptable levels.

gumpy · 08-03-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markymark

which track are u heading to?

I havent got an oil cooler (yet) and I've only had issues with limp mode towards the end of the day, for the 15min+ sessions at wakefield. Eastern creek was a little worse as they ran longer sessions and it has longer straights where you're flat out.

Even then one cooldown lap every 2-3 laps seemed to bring it down to acceptable levels.

Thanks for the heads up mate, It's not wakefield, starts with M, really bad with these things sorry...

Really good to hear that taking it easy on a lap will significantly help things...

so what temp was it averaging for the day and what oil did you put in it?

LateralG'z · 08-06-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

its expensive, but I just stick with the nissan ester oil. they didn't go through all the trouble of patenting their own oil for this engine for no reason. I figure with hotel, gas, brakes, registration, and average track weekend cost 1000-1500, so what is another 70 for the proper oil. I change it every two events.

where do you track at, it only costs me an average of $250. Damn I wouldnt track at that expense

markymark · 08-08-2010, 06:22 AM

RCZ,

I beat an evo X, and was nipping at the tail of a modded R34 GTR, so no I wasnt on a sunday cruise.

Wakefield's a smaller 2.2km track with relatively slower average speeds, so you dont need to be banging the rev limiter to go fast there. Colder weather this time of year helps too.

Gumpy,
If it starts with an M its probably Marulan, its even twistier than wakefield- I doubt you'll even hit 4th gear for long there. Its not very off-friendly though as theres not much run off...be careful mate.

I was hitting ~125-130 thru the sessions, but that final 135 degrees didnt hit til ~10-15min in, which was close to the end of the session anyway. Im running redline 5w30

cossie1600 · 07-22-2010, 09:30 PM

I had 45K miles on my 2004 that had at least 30 track days on it, it always ran 5w30 or 5w40 amsoil, never had engine failure. I am not sure why you need to spend so much money on a car doing non racing track days

RCZ · 07-22-2010, 09:45 PM

Umm, just checking, you DO have an oil cooler right? If you don't, dont waste your time. You need at the very least a racing one from one of the vendors if you want to make it through a full session.

gumpy · 07-23-2010, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCZ

Umm, just checking, you DO have an oil cooler right? If you don't, dont waste your time. You need at the very least a racing one from one of the vendors if you want to make it through a full session.

I don't have an oil cooler =(... I'm resigned to resting the car every time it goes into limp mode and then going again...

sig11 · 07-23-2010, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumpy

I don't have an oil cooler =(... I'm resigned to resting the car every time it goes into limp mode and then going again...

Depending on your experience, traffic, and the ambient temperature you may make it all day without a problem. October is early spring yet so it's probably still fairly cool, right?

I didn't have a problem until the ambient temperature got over 80/90F (~25/35C) and I had run a few sessions already.

gumpy · 08-03-2010, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

Depending on your experience, traffic, and the ambient temperature you may make it all day without a problem. October is early spring yet so it's probably still fairly cool, right?

I didn't have a problem until the ambient temperature got over 80/90F (~25/35C) and I had run a few sessions already.

Australia's weather is a but sucky... Oct can be very hot if you're unlucky... and it can be 15*C. all luck really...

07-22-2010, 07:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
gumpy Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 449 Drives: 09 370z white manual Rep Power: 16	Track day oil advice please Looks like i'm hitting up a track late October. currently I'm running 5w30 RP which was put in the car late May. The engine's running well but I know from seeing UOA's on BITOG that this oil is prone to thinning... It's fine for normal driving use I feel but a bit worried about it for tracking. I don't go hard on the car on public roads and every 2nd week it sits in the garage because i'm away on business... I do about 8,000km in 6 months. So... do i stay with the current oil, and change the oil after the track day? This is preferred as it'll be time for the 6 months service after the track day anyway... but i fear ruining the engine... or change the oil (same) before the track day and stay with it for 6 months... do i put in a thicker oil before the track day? if so how thick? and do i change it after or is it ok to stick with it for 6 months? Considering 10w40 Motul 300v for the track day but not sure if i should go even higher in weight... thanks in advance

07-22-2010, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
WarmAndSCSI A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 1,671 Drives: '08 Evo X \| '10 370Z Rep Power: 18	Not sure if you all have them available there, but 2 off-the-shelf oils will serve you well: Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (make sure it's the European car formula and made in Germany) Mobil 1 0W-40 Both of these oils have superior HTHS (High Temperature High Shear) ratings to other "synthetics" and will work well for a track day. Honestly, I would drain and fill the oil (you can retain the filter) soon after your track day event. If you have a Red Line dealer, I would opt for Red Line 5W-30 or 10W-30. It's the bomb (WAY better than RP), but pricey. __________________ '10 PW 370Z 7AT - wife's car - Project Raspberry Cheesecake '08 Evo X - built motor+trans \| BB-X @ 32 psi \| CH3OH \| self-built+tuned - ??? WHP '01 Galant V6 - built motor \| GT35R \| self-built+tuned - 550+ WHP (retired)

07-22-2010, 09:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	its expensive, but I just stick with the nissan ester oil. they didn't go through all the trouble of patenting their own oil for this engine for no reason. I figure with hotel, gas, brakes, registration, and average track weekend cost 1000-1500, so what is another 70 for the proper oil. I change it every two events. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

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07-24-2010, 07:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
markymark Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 51 Drives: white 370z 6MT Rep Power: 16	which track are u heading to? I havent got an oil cooler (yet) and I've only had issues with limp mode towards the end of the day, for the 15min+ sessions at wakefield. Eastern creek was a little worse as they ran longer sessions and it has longer straights where you're flat out. Even then one cooldown lap every 2-3 laps seemed to bring it down to acceptable levels.

08-08-2010, 06:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
markymark Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 51 Drives: white 370z 6MT Rep Power: 16	RCZ, I beat an evo X, and was nipping at the tail of a modded R34 GTR, so no I wasnt on a sunday cruise. Wakefield's a smaller 2.2km track with relatively slower average speeds, so you dont need to be banging the rev limiter to go fast there. Colder weather this time of year helps too. Gumpy, If it starts with an M its probably Marulan, its even twistier than wakefield- I doubt you'll even hit 4th gear for long there. Its not very off-friendly though as theres not much run off...be careful mate. I was hitting ~125-130 thru the sessions, but that final 135 degrees didnt hit til ~10-15min in, which was close to the end of the session anyway. Im running redline 5w30

07-22-2010, 09:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I had 45K miles on my 2004 that had at least 30 track days on it, it always ran 5w30 or 5w40 amsoil, never had engine failure. I am not sure why you need to spend so much money on a car doing non racing track days

07-22-2010, 09:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Umm, just checking, you DO have an oil cooler right? If you don't, dont waste your time. You need at the very least a racing one from one of the vendors if you want to make it through a full session.