What Race Oil do you trust?

Dave Noll · 12-10-2020, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

Reviving this thread to ask if anyone has given thought to Viscosity Index? As I understand it, the higher the VI number, the less the oil changes with temperature. In trying to be as consistent as possible in our classes- cold morning runs vs a hot laps, would it make the most sense to run oil with a high VI? I've noticed Royal Purple, Eneos, and Driven have high VI numbers.

I would also extend this question to ATF and Differential as well.

Bobby, that is how I understand VI to work. Haven't made a list though of what I want to try next and balance it with a high zinc race oil as well as ATF or diff. Currently Redline in engine and Diff.,

SSDiv6 · 12-10-2020, 12:03 PM

There are many great oils out there that provide lots of performance such as Schaefer, Mobil 1, Maxima, HPL and others.

At the same time, I have seen many use the Comp Cams, Total Seal and Driven Break-In oils for normal racing use. By the way, the Comp Cams and Total Seal Break-In oil are made by Driven.

When I was helping a friend of mine with his Comp Eliminator car, one the dry sump hoses was leaking. I loosened up the hose to retighten the hose and had a rag to collect and clean the excess oil. When I looked at the rag, I noticed lots of Copper and other shiny metallic material and asked the owner what oil he was using because the engine was only on its 7 run. He told me he was using one of the brands of break in oil and that his engine builder, a well know engine shop, had told him to only run break in oil. So, at the next race, the engine let go a few rods through the pan and after I took it apart, all the bearings were gone.

I had a chat with Lake Speed Jr. and Nick Ferri about the use of break in oil for normal use on a race engine. Lake Speed Jr, who is a licensed Oil Tribologist and engineer, explained to me that break in oils are just that, a break in oil to be used to breaking in the engine on the dyno or for a limited use on street engine. Nick Ferri shared that he only uses the break in oil on the dyno and then switches to the specific engine oil for the application.

For break in oil, I use Total Seal that still contains the formulation from Lubrizol that was created for breaking in NASCAR engines. For racing use, not in an order of preference, Amsoil, HPL and Maxima. For rear ends, Amsoil synthetic. For manual transmissions, either Amsoil or Type-F trans fluid. For Automatics, tractor hydraulic fluid or Amsoil.

SSDiv6 · 12-10-2020, 03:02 PM

This is a good read about break-in and racing oils.

https://www.enginebuildermag.com/201...%20break%2Din.

GTX JOHN · 12-10-2020, 03:53 PM

I still run Royal Purple 5/20 Racing oil (Old 11) that I
have run literally forever. I am always pleased with
how the engine looks when rebuild time!

For Heads Up = If needed the light Dangerous Stuff
and cross our fingers.

68Coupe · 12-10-2020, 04:06 PM

Booby Fazio you have a PM

Bobby Fazio · 12-10-2020, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

I still run Royal Purple 5/20 Racing oil (Old 11) that I
have run literally forever. I am always pleased with
how the engine looks when rebuild time!

For Heads Up = If needed the light Dangerous Stuff
and cross our fingers.

John is this the Royal Purple XPR? I like it but it's roughly $100 for 6 qts!

GTX JOHN · 12-10-2020, 11:31 PM

Yep............Sorry!
Somewhat cheaper by the Pail.

If that is too pricey = I use Mobil One on my 10 Sec. or slower
Bracket Stuff.

RPM5595 · 12-20-2020, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

There are many great oils out there that provide lots of performance such as Schaefer, Mobil 1, Maxima, HPL and others.

At the same time, I have seen many use the Comp Cams, Total Seal and Driven Break-In oils for normal racing use. By the way, the Comp Cams and Total Seal Break-In oil are made by Driven.

When I was helping a friend of mine with his Comp Eliminator car, one the dry sump hoses was leaking. I loosened up the hose to retighten the hose and had a rag to collect and clean the excess oil. When I looked at the rag, I noticed lots of Copper and other shiny metallic material and asked the owner what oil he was using because the engine was only on its 7 run. He told me he was using one of the brands of break in oil and that his engine builder, a well know engine shop, had told him to only run break in oil. So, at the next race, the engine let go a few rods through the pan and after I took it apart, all the bearings were gone.

I had a chat with Lake Speed Jr. and Nick Ferri about the use of break in oil for normal use on a race engine. Lake Speed Jr, who is a licensed Oil Tribologist and engineer, explained to me that break in oils are just that, a break in oil to be used to breaking in the engine on the dyno or for a limited use on street engine. Nick Ferri shared that he only uses the break in oil on the dyno and then switches to the specific engine oil for the application.

For break in oil, I use Total Seal that still contains the formulation from Lubrizol that was created for breaking in NASCAR engines. For racing use, not in an order of preference, Amsoil, HPL and Maxima. For rear ends, Amsoil synthetic. For manual transmissions, either Amsoil or Type-F trans fluid. For Automatics, tractor hydraulic fluid or Amsoil.

So what is it about break in oil that is bad to use full time? What was the cause for the bearings going away? If the break in oil is better for initial run in how can it be worse for normal operation? This makes no sense to me.

Dave Gantz · 12-20-2020, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPM5595

So what is it about break in oil that is bad to use full time? What was the cause for the bearings going away? If the break in oil is better for initial run in how can it be worse for normal operation? This makes no sense to me.

I think your answers are in this link that SSDiv6 posted.
https://s19529.pcdn.co/wp-content/up...Engine-Oil.jpg

SSDiv6 · 12-20-2020, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPM5595

So what is it about break in oil that is bad to use full time? What was the cause for the bearings going away? If the break in oil is better for initial run in how can it be worse for normal operation? This makes no sense to me.

Seen 3 engines damaged due to extended use of break-in oil. One Comp Eliminator engine, 1 Super Stock engine and 1 bracket racing turbo engine.

The formulations are completely different with a specific intent. One of my friends who ran a NASCAR shop, was a neighbor to Joe Gibbs when he developed his line of break in and racing oils. He witnessed the development of the different oils and each oil has an intended expected outcome. As a matter of fact, those oils were a special formulation created for Joe Gibbs by Lubrizol.

These two articles go more in depth of the differences and the reason for break in, street and racing oils.

https://www.enginebuildermag.com/201...s%20of%20ZDDP.

https://www.enginebuildermag.com/202...t-vs-race-oil/

12-10-2020, 12:03 PM	#2
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,045 Likes: 712 Liked 1,605 Times in 583 Posts	Re: What Race Oil do you trust? There are many great oils out there that provide lots of performance such as Schaefer, Mobil 1, Maxima, HPL and others. At the same time, I have seen many use the Comp Cams, Total Seal and Driven Break-In oils for normal racing use. By the way, the Comp Cams and Total Seal Break-In oil are made by Driven. When I was helping a friend of mine with his Comp Eliminator car, one the dry sump hoses was leaking. I loosened up the hose to retighten the hose and had a rag to collect and clean the excess oil. When I looked at the rag, I noticed lots of Copper and other shiny metallic material and asked the owner what oil he was using because the engine was only on its 7 run. He told me he was using one of the brands of break in oil and that his engine builder, a well know engine shop, had told him to only run break in oil. So, at the next race, the engine let go a few rods through the pan and after I took it apart, all the bearings were gone. I had a chat with Lake Speed Jr. and Nick Ferri about the use of break in oil for normal use on a race engine. Lake Speed Jr, who is a licensed Oil Tribologist and engineer, explained to me that break in oils are just that, a break in oil to be used to breaking in the engine on the dyno or for a limited use on street engine. Nick Ferri shared that he only uses the break in oil on the dyno and then switches to the specific engine oil for the application. For break in oil, I use Total Seal that still contains the formulation from Lubrizol that was created for breaking in NASCAR engines. For racing use, not in an order of preference, Amsoil, HPL and Maxima. For rear ends, Amsoil synthetic. For manual transmissions, either Amsoil or Type-F trans fluid. For Automatics, tractor hydraulic fluid or Amsoil.

12-10-2020, 03:02 PM	#3
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,045 Likes: 712 Liked 1,605 Times in 583 Posts	Re: What Race Oil do you trust? This is a good read about break-in and racing oils. https://www.enginebuildermag.com/201...%20break%2Din.

12-10-2020, 03:53 PM	#4
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,737 Likes: 2,813 Liked 2,489 Times in 699 Posts	Re: What Race Oil do you trust? I still run Royal Purple 5/20 Racing oil (Old 11) that I have run literally forever. I am always pleased with how the engine looks when rebuild time! For Heads Up = If needed the light Dangerous Stuff and cross our fingers. __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

12-10-2020, 04:06 PM	#5
68Coupe Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: What Race Oil do you trust? Booby Fazio you have a PM

12-10-2020, 11:31 PM	#7
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,737 Likes: 2,813 Liked 2,489 Times in 699 Posts	Re: What Race Oil do you trust? Yep............Sorry! Somewhat cheaper by the Pail. If that is too pricey = I use Mobil One on my 10 Sec. or slower Bracket Stuff. __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock Last edited by GTX JOHN; 12-10-2020 at 11:36 PM.