What brand/weight oil are you running?

TheFallenTSI97 · Dec 6, 2013

This has probably been covered to death but I'm apparently and idiot when it comes to using the search. I tried several different key words and search options but couldn't find the information I'm looking for. So please don't kill me :confused:

I'm mainly asking the people that are pushing 500+whp on their car with large frame turbo, forged internals, and worked heads. I want to know what brand/viscosity oil you guys are using on your builds. I had been using Royal Purple on the previous setup. But with the new setup I want to ensure prolonged life of my turbo and engine. I considered running Rotella synthetic 5w-40 as it's made to support the high PSI and high temps of a turbo diesel. But at the same time I wasn't sure if that would be a little too "thick" for my car. Any input is greatly appreciated. If there is a thread on this exact topic please link me. I apologize again if I'm ressurecting a dead horse to beat it again.

vince6756 · Dec 6, 2013

I run Rotella T 15w40. Like what FP said, if you change the motor you change the nature of the motor. With a thicker oil you reduce friction. I live up in Minnesota so I gotta warm her up before I take off. :cool:

I chose Rotella T cause my guy Mark runs it and it's cheap

Funfettie · Dec 6, 2013

Valvoline VR1 full synthetic 20w50. whatever oil you choose, make sure the Zink content (PPM 'or' parts per million) is high. the more zink, the more bearing wear resistant.

Bradd penn is good stuff but hard to find. Oriley auto parts has the VR1 in my area; goes on sale every now and again for $5 a quart! needless to say i buy out there entire stock

if you want to get really serious, build you engine around the oil you will be running. you can gap your bearings and clearance whatever gaps around how think the oil will be. yupp, boost on!

WES_393 · Dec 6, 2013

I run Rotella 15-40 in all my Mitsu's. It was 0* when I left for work this morning, and my car started right up. It's not too thick at all.

Archer Fabrications · Dec 6, 2013

I run conventional valvoline vr1 20w50

GoCanes777 · Dec 6, 2013

+ like 8 on the VR1 20w-50

Archer Fabrications · Dec 6, 2013

I'm curious for those in cold places like me do you run 20w50 year round? Even if it's like 25*f

WES_393 · Dec 6, 2013

Yeah, I've ran 20w50 in sub-freezing temps and never had starting issues. At that time I also had an old Walmart battery...

Around when I switched to E85 and 15w40, I also installed a Miata AGM battery with a whopping 300 CCA's (about 1/2 the suggested amperage) and still never had any starting issues as a result of cold oil.

Archer Fabrications · Dec 6, 2013

I was more worried about how thick it is when cold. But i did it all last winter in shit cold. Was hoping i wasnt the only one.

TheFallenTSI97 · Dec 7, 2013

Funfettie said:
Valvoline VR1 full synthetic 20w50. whatever oil you choose, make sure the Zink content (PPM 'or' parts per million) is high. the more zink, the more bearing wear resistant.

Bradd penn is good stuff but hard to find. Oriley auto parts has the VR1 in my area; goes on sale every now and again for $5 a quart! needless to say i buy out there entire stock

if you want to get really serious, build you engine around the oil you will be running. you can gap your bearings and clearance whatever gaps around how think the oil will be. yupp, boost on!

I actually work at O'reilly so I can get them cheaper without the sale price and can just order how much I need. But we do keep some in stock I'll have to see how much and if we have just conventional and all that jazz.

spadepro22 · Dec 7, 2013

I wasn't concerned about oil that could be used with E-85 when I was doing my reseach, because I had no intentions of running it, so if I came across some threads I don't remember them. Now that I'm running E-85, I have to ask what oil are you guys running with E-85? I haven't had any issues running the 10w-40 Brad Penn tho. Rotella????

DECODER22 · Dec 7, 2013

BradPenn 15w40 all season

snowborder714 · Dec 7, 2013

My brother and I recently (last year) switched from Mobil 1 to Valvoline VR1 Racing synthetic. We had considered going to Brad Penn, but decided against it after finding that document around E85.

DECODER22 · Dec 7, 2013

E85 is fine with Bradd Penn i have ran multiple evos and dsm with E85 and bradd penn no issues

Pipnorcali · Dec 7, 2013

Been running 15-50 Mobil one on this motor since 2001 so it cant be that bad..haha

CanadianTalonTC · Dec 7, 2013

I run/have run Rotella T6 Synthetic in every forced induction vehicle I've owned. 1997 Tsi, 1998 Tsi, 2006 Cobalt SS/SC, 2004 Subaru WRX. Worked good for me in all applications.

I also run Rotella T in my DD 2001 Rodeo.

Joel

TheFallenTSI97 · Dec 7, 2013

CanadianTalonTC said:
I run/have run Rotella T6 Synthetic in every forced induction vehicle I've owned. 1997 Tsi, 1998 Tsi, 2006 Cobalt SS/SC, 2004 Subaru WRX. Worked good for me in all applications.

Joel

See that's what I was originally thinking. I know if it can handle 60+PSI of a semi or turbo diesel it can more than handle what I'm going to through at it.
But I would only use the T6 synthetic. The guy I work with had a stock Talon FWD and used Rotella and had it start to gum up his turbo when he went to rebuild it.

donniekak · Dec 7, 2013

spadepro22 said:
I wasn't concerned about oil that could be used with E-85 when I was doing my reseach, because I had no intentions of running it, so if I came across some threads I don't remember them. Now that I'm running E-85, I have to ask what oil are you guys running with E-85? I haven't had any issues running the 10w-40 Brad Penn tho. Rotella????

Vr1 20w-50 states right on the bottle, formulated to be compatible with alcohol fuels.

DECODER22 said:
E85 is fine with Bradd Penn i have ran multiple evos and dsm with E85 and bradd penn no issues

oil1.MOV - YouTube

CanadianTalonTC · Dec 7, 2013

TheFallenTSI97 said:
See that's what I was originally thinking. I know if it can handle 60+PSI of a semi or turbo diesel it can more than handle what I'm going to through at it.
But I would only use the T6 synthetic. The guy I work with had a stock Talon FWD and used Rotella and had it start to gum up his turbo when he went to rebuild it.

Diesel oils generally have better detergents in them as well. Here is the valve cover off my talon 30 seconds after pulling it off. Not sure what previous owner ran but I've put through some Rotella T6. My old Cobalts head/cover looked identical after 50K using it. Zero oil deposits/baked on crap. Head is as clean.

Joel

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

spadepro22 · Dec 7, 2013

donniekak said:
oil1.MOV - YouTube

Is that Moblil 1 or Brad Penn? Looked green but in a Mobil 1 contontainer. Comments seem to be Brad Penn, but not real sure.

donniekak said:
Vr1 20w-50 states right on the bottle, formulated to be compatible with alcohol fuels.

Do you know if this applies to 10w-40?

TheFallenTSI97 · Dec 7, 2013

Atleast the previous owner was smart enough to use good oil because my cylinder head and valve cover where pretty clean still.

kmay24 · Dec 7, 2013

Joe Gibbs Racing has some great oil products worth checking out!

bw2277 · Dec 7, 2013

Val Vr1 20w50 for me

phunny · Dec 8, 2013

Brad Penn 20-50 and I've always ran e85

donniekak · Dec 8, 2013

phunny said:
Brad Penn 20-50 and I've always ran e85

It may work for some people, I'm sure everyone doesn't have their oil turn to jello. But when the manufacturer of the oil says not to use it with e85, that's enough for me. There are plenty of good race oils out there, no need to stick with one that may have issues with your setup.

BoosterJ · Dec 8, 2013

donniekak said:
I hope you don't run e85 fuel with that oil.

Nope.

The Top DSM Community on the Web

What brand/weight oil are you running?

TheFallenTSI97

vince6756

Funfettie

WES_393

Archer Fabrications

GoCanes777

Archer Fabrications

WES_393

Archer Fabrications

TheFallenTSI97

spadepro22

DECODER22

snowborder714

DECODER22

Pipnorcali

CanadianTalonTC

TheFallenTSI97

donniekak

CanadianTalonTC

spadepro22

TheFallenTSI97

kmay24

bw2277

phunny

donniekak

BoosterJ

Similar threads

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds