Thoughts on changing to different engine oil

[Trev450]

Given that my Gen 1 Cayman S is building up the miles (cica 40k) and that I'm also planning on taking it on track later this year, I'm considering changing to a thicker engine oil.

The car has been replenished with Mobil 1 0W/40 at 10K intervals from new, but I'm thinking that a 5W/50 maybe better all round now that the miles are increasing and also that the engine is likely to be operating at a higher oil temperature given the intended track use.

The owner's handbook lists this as one of the recommended oils in temperatures above -25C, so I was wondering what people's views on this are.

I'm considering using Millers Race Oil.

[Gibbo205]

Hi there

For sure a thicker oil offers more protection, especially from bore scoring.

Bore scoring occurs on an engine upto temperature or when hot due to hot spots, a thicker oil will give more protection and help prevent scoring. Hartech are also sure of this as well.

5W-50 is fine and approved. But 10W-50 is also fine and a lot of the GT3 guys go with 10W-60 grade as they spend a lot of time on track. But for you car 5W-50 seems a good choice. Also maybe fit a low-temp stat too as to prevent scoring you want the engine to have better flow and be cooler all round along with oil giving better protection.

[Martian O]

Not on the 'approved' list but pretty much the best 5W weight engine oil available at the mo: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-73732-millers-oils-nan...

[V8KSN]

Trev450 said:

Given that my Gen 1 Cayman S is building up the miles (cica 40k) and that I'm also planning on taking it on track later this year, I'm considering changing to a thicker engine oil.

The car has been replenished with Mobil 1 0W/40 at 10K intervals from new, but I'm thinking that a 5W/50 maybe better all round now that the miles are increasing and also that the engine is likely to be operating at a higher oil temperature given the intended track use.

The owner's handbook lists this as one of the recommended oils in temperatures above -25C, so I was wondering what people's views on this are.

I'm considering using Millers Race Oil.

Trev, I would highly recommend a chat with Hartech as they have done lots of research in this field.

[Martian O]

V8KSN said:

Trev, I would highly recommend a chat with Hartech as they have done lots of research in this field.

Hartech will recommend the above oil I posted the link to above.

[Trev450]

Martian O said:

V8KSN said:

Trev, I would highly recommend a chat with Hartech as they have done lots of research in this field.

Hartech will recommend the above oil I posted the link to above.

Thanks both. I did actually email Baz about this last week but haven't received a reply.

[Gibbo205]

Martian O said:

Hartech will recommend the above oil I posted the link to above.

I use the 10W-50 stuff you posted.

[anonymous-user]

How long have you been using that Gibbo, and have you noticed any obvious benefits, lower temps etc?

[giggle]

This is an email to me from a top USA Porsche guy about the GT3RS oil choice...

Mobil 1 was very good up To they changed the formula for some pollution reason.
Motul 300v is a double ester synthetic oil, which is the best today with Red Line oil, those are the only ones. 5w40.
For engine and gearbox and change every 5000 miles.

[Martian O]

giggle said:

This is an email to me from a top USA Porsche guy about the GT3RS oil choice...

Mobil 1 was very good up To they changed the formula for some pollution reason.
Motul 300v is a double ester synthetic oil, which is the best today with Red Line oil, those are the only ones. 5w40.
For engine and gearbox and change every 5000 miles.

You make me giggle, giggle!

The Millers oil mentioned above is not available in the US yet, and it is a triple ester synthetic oil.

Changing gearbox oil every 5000 miles is laughable!

[giggle]

I am only sharing an email from 4 years ago with you guys !!!!

The sender knows more about Porsche than near enough anyone you could ever wish to meet.

---

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/964-forum/63...

Edited by giggle on Monday 17th June 13:54

[Gibbo205]

Martian O said:

You make me giggle, giggle!

The Millers oil mentioned above is not available in the US yet, and it is a triple ester synthetic oil.

Changing gearbox oil every 5000 miles is laughable!

Using the Millers not noticed really any difference to be honest, same pressure, similar temps, though usage seems to be dropping with time. My car was using about 1 litre per 1500 miles of hardish driving. Though oil usage seems to change, but now I'd say its more like 1l per 2500 miles, maybe less. I typically buy 10l of oil, do a change and the rest then keeps me going with top-ups until the next change. Sometimes I use more if doing a track day of course.

I change my oil every 5000-6000 miles. Transmission/gearbox every 50,000 miles.

[EvoSlayer]

Martian O said:

Not on the 'approved' list but pretty much the best 5W weight engine oil available at the mo: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-73732-millers-oils-nan...

Is this the grade you're using Martian? I've been using Mobil1 15/50 Motorsport Formula for the last few years but it's getting a bit hard to get hold of now and I've just about exhausted my stash. Any other recommendations appreciated...car is a tweaked 996 turbo.

[Martian O]

EvoSlayer said:

Martian O said:

Not on the 'approved' list but pretty much the best 5W weight engine oil available at the mo: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-73732-millers-oils-nan...

Is this the grade you're using Martian? I've been using Mobil1 15/50 Motorsport Formula for the last few years but it's getting a bit hard to get hold of now and I've just about exhausted my stash. Any other recommendations appreciated...car is a tweaked 996 turbo.

Yes ES, that's what I'm using now. I've done about 800 miles on the stuff, only thing I've noticed so far is that the oil pressure is about a needles width higher than when I used to use the 0W/40 Motul oil.

Isn't a 15W weight oil a little too thick for our engines?

[EvoSlayer]

Martian O said:

Yes ES, that's what I'm using now. I've done about 800 miles on the stuff, only thing I've noticed so far is that the oil pressure is about a needles width higher than when I used to use the 0W/40 Motul oil.

Isn't a 15W weight oil a little too thick for our engines?

Tbh I've used it in a few turbocharged engines without any issues, I tend to put it in when they get a few 000 on the clock... It's certainly kept the old 5cyl quat quiet :
As for the 996 oil is changed every Winter usually after around 4k miles and it's not seized up yet! I'll probably give the Millers a go next year though

[Stefandk]

http://www.fastcar.co.uk/2012/08/28/millers-nanodr...

Best oil;-))

[Gibbo205]

Stefandk said:

http://www.fastcar.co.uk/2012/08/28/millers-nanodr...

Best oil;-))

It does nothing for power in a 911.

As I was testing some airboxes, and I did a dyno run with the new oil in after running on a dyno on regular oil. The BHP was no different, made no difference to power, I am using it simply for its added protection.

[arcamalpha]

Gibbo205 said:

It does nothing for power in a 911.

As I was testing some airboxes, and I did a dyno run with the new oil in after running on a dyno on regular oil. The BHP was no different, made no difference to power, I am using it simply for its added protection.

Top quality post chap. Nice to see some genuine evidence :-)

[Stefandk]

Guess you are right, but here is a test on a 911...
Just wondering, because my idle are about 100 rpm more than before oil change...

http://www.sae.org/mags/sve/mtrsp/11201

Regards

Edited by Stefandk on Monday 17th June 19:48

[Gibbo205]

Stefandk said:

Guess you are right, but here is a test on a 911...
Just wondering, because my idle are about 100 rpm more than before oil change...

http://www.sae.org/mags/sve/mtrsp/11201

Regards

Edited by Stefandk on Monday 17th June 19:48

Well I went from Mobil ONE 0W-40 too Millers NFS 10W-50. Before and asfter dyno no different peak power and no losses or gains anywhere else in the rev range.

Yes if I'd used 5W-40 then maybe a power gain could be possible as thinner oils help create more power and better economy and emissions. I went to 10W-50 for added protection, gained no horsepower, but did not loose any either. I also drove the car with fresh oil in before going on dyno as Millers suggest to get the oil beyond 100c before testing on dyno, something to do with bedding in the oil..........

In short on my car it gave no power, but my car does run great anyway making a confirmed and accurate 370 horsepower, I say accurate because many stock cars got their stock claimed power.