Expensive "Racing" Oils - Worthwhile?

[paddyhasneeds]

To answer the obvious question, no I don't go racing.

I have a Boxster, the service intervals are 20k which I've stuck to until now (it's on 50k).

I figured it will do no harm to start changing the engine oil a little more frequently and whilst there's plenty of choice between the Porsche approved oils list and the Opie Oils and various other websites, I'm wondering if there's any benefit in spending lots of money on "racing" oils over sticking with something good quality and on the approved oils list i.e. Mobil, Motul, Shell, Fuchs?

[Defcon5]

Im no expert, but I would say no. A quality oil that exceeds Porsche specs will be all you need.

[paddyhasneeds]

Defcon5 said:

Im no expert, but I would say no. A quality oil that exceeds Porsche specs will be all you need.

Common sense is telling me the same thing. The weird geeky part in me is still curious/tempted though.

[Defcon5]

I would imagine racing oils are designed to allow the engine to produce max power, possibly at the expense of longevity

[Swarley]

About 2 years ago the guy next to me in the paddock at Oulton park, was telling me how good his car was now he was using Motul 0-20 (might have been 0-15). And I should use it instead of Mobil 15/50.

Less then 20 minutes later he had blown it up.

I now stick to Mobil.

[PhillipM]

Good quality oil is always worth spending on - but I wouldn't put race-specific oil in your car, it'll kill the catalytic converter.

[paddyhasneeds]

PhillipM said:

Good quality oil is always worth spending on - but I wouldn't put race-specific oil in your car, it'll kill the catalytic converter.

Hmm can you expand on that - not doubting it but I don't understand why?

[SXi Lad]

paddyhasneeds said:

PhillipM said:

Good quality oil is always worth spending on - but I wouldn't put race-specific oil in your car, it'll kill the catalytic converter.

Hmm can you expand on that - not doubting it but I don't understand why?

Castrol is your friend.

[jon-]

How does a race oil differ from a decent double ester like Motul V300?

[paddyhasneeds]

jon- said:

How does a race oil differ from a decent double ester like Motul V300?

Sorry, just to be clear, I used the term "racing oils" to mean things like Motul 300V, Millers Competition, Redline etc.

[jon-]

paddyhasneeds said:

jon- said:

How does a race oil differ from a decent double ester like Motul V300?

Sorry, just to be clear, I used the term "racing oils" to mean things like Motul 300V, Millers Competition, Redline etc.

Then I would say yes, they're worth using. My understanding is a good double ester oil will take much longer to break down, offering better lubrication over a longer life.

In something like your boxster which has 20,000 mile service intervals and probably gets used fairly hard, this is even more important.

[steveo3002]

i was told something like the redline one doesnt have the right detergent package to deal with daily driver dutys like frequent short trips etc

its meant to handle extreme abuse , then be drained and refilled for the next week

[QED87]

I'd say only if you've got an expensive race engine! Saying that though we used to put halfords special in our OMS but then it was a hillclimb spec single seater and the oil got changed every 6 meetings...

[_Batty_]

i'd rather spend it on mainstream oil and change it more regular (like 5k)

[rottie102]

SXi Lad said:

paddyhasneeds said:

PhillipM said:

Good quality oil is always worth spending on - but I wouldn't put race-specific oil in your car, it'll kill the catalytic converter.

Hmm can you expand on that - not doubting it but I don't understand why?

Castrol is your friend.

...if you want to kill your engine.

Otherwise Mobil 1 15W50.

I've tested it in quite a few cars, in very hard conditions (track days, drift days, V-Max autobahn runs) and never had any problems with it or with the engines due to to oil fault.

[blueST]

There are a number of interesting articles here...
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/technicalinfo.aspx

Obviously these documents are hosted by a company with an interest in making money from selling oil so who's to say they are correct? Having read them, and emailed Opie some questions, it was enough to convince me to spend a few quid extra on proper ester synthetic oil.

[rhinochopig]

"Race" oils are designed to lubricate at prolonged higher temps and pressures - resist shearing of the long chain polymers.

Unless you operate your engine at elevated temps and pressures then you are wasting your money, and seeing no benefit.

[PhillipM]

paddyhasneeds said:

PhillipM said:

Good quality oil is always worth spending on - but I wouldn't put race-specific oil in your car, it'll kill the catalytic converter.

Hmm can you expand on that - not doubting it but I don't understand why?

Quite often they have minimal detergent packages and high levels of ZDDP.

A good quality ester synthetic is probably worth splashing out on - hell, I even run a full ester in my clonky old '94 1.4 306 - I didn't think the extra £20 over an entire year of motoring was money down the pan myself - especially as it can be left longer before significant breakdown anyway - just don't stick something marked 'Race use only' in your road car thinking it'll be the bee's knees, completely different uses.