ST220 on track - anything I should know?

[Howard-]

I guess this is mostly going to be directed at GaryST220, Podie etc, but I was wondering if I need to be aware of anything, should I do any track days in my Mondeo (now that I've sold the MX5... Yes, doing it wrong I know. )?

Anything minor need doing/changing so it doesn't boil over into a molten mess of engine, or can I just banzai it round a track all day and it won't complain?

Ta!

[Defcon5]

I would certainly make sure there is plenty of meat on the brakes and tyres, its not exactly a lightweight!

Where are you taking it?

[Howard-]

Yeah absolutely, I was just wondering if there were any heatsoak issues or anything

I don't know yet. Thinking ahead. Probably somewhere reasonably local to Surrey if I do give it a go! Never done any track days before.

[Defcon5]

I wouldnt expect anything out of the ordinary to be needed. Quite fancy an ST220 myself at some point

[GaryST220]

What track is it?

For the Nurburgring I drop the tyre pressure down to 25 PSI all round, otherwise they'll be overinflated by the time you're three quarters round.

[Podie]

Standard brakes are known to fade, so watch them (unless you've upgraded).

Other than that, the usual track day checks, but as said, remember its a big old bus.

[Kidders]

Oil level - Keep it topped it to the max when cold. They dont like running even slightly low on oil and if the level is lower than desired it will increase the risk of starvation to the bearings in heavy cornering. Obviously make sure its nice and fresh and fully synthetic. Considering using a 5w 40, i'm switching from a 5w 30 on the next change.

[Howard-]

What's the standard oil that Ford put in (I've only ever had it serviced by them)? I want to get some to keep spare but want to be sure that I get the right one, 5w30, 5w40 etc.

[Podie]

Howard- said:

What's the standard oil that Ford put in (I've only ever had it serviced by them)? I want to get some to keep spare but want to be sure that I get the right one, 5w30, 5w40 etc.

Ford Formula E or F. 5w30, IIRC.

[Kidders]

Formula F is the only one you can get from Ford now. Bear in mind its a long life fill (i.e 10-15k) and designed for economy rather than the best protection, as time passes it tends to thin out further, this isnt ideal, hence the reason why I am changing spec to a 5w 40 and ester based fully synthetic which can cope better on a hard driven engine.

[Howard-]

I've just remembered, the invoice for my service actually mentioned 'Shell Helix'. Is that better, and more on par with Castrol Magnatec etc?

[Defcon5]

Better - Helix is a fully synthetic and meets a better standard IIRC

[Podie]

Kidders said:

Formula F is the only one you can get from Ford now. Bear in mind its a long life fill (i.e 10-15k) and designed for economy rather than the best protection, as time passes it tends to thin out further, this isnt ideal, hence the reason why I am changing spec to a 5w 40 and ester based fully synthetic which can cope better on a hard driven engine.

Yeah, what a pain that was. Had some Formula E left, so did an oil change. Then wanted a top-up, and couldn't get any, so had to do another complete oil change.

Must admit, I change the oil every 6000 miles.

[Kidders]

Depends on what Shell Helix, they HX5, HX7 and Ultra. Dealers used to fill them with Shell Helix which met the Ford met, it wasnt always a fully synthetic though, the switch to fully synthetic spec only happened a couple of years ago so if it was Ford that done the service it is likely to be FS.

Regardless of it being a FS or semi the spec is actually the same, i.e Ford WSS M2C 913-B, Castrol/BP make the Ford Formula F oil so I wouldnt say its necessarily better for the engine than any other oil, even Comma for example, as long as it meets the Ford spec.

Edited by Kidders on Tuesday 15th May 11:25

[Howard-]

So if I get some Castrol Magnatec 5w30 it'll be fine for topping up?

Ta

[Kidders]

Howard- said:

So if I get some Castrol Magnatec 5w30 it'll be fine for topping up?

Ta

Yes, if it meets the spec above, there are a few 5w 30's that castrol do.

[neiljohnson]

The 5w30 oil works well in the 220 lump & I would not mess around with the spec the lubrication system is not the best & by changing the viscosity of the oil as it gets hot it will affect the pressure.
If you still decide to go for 5w40 make sure it's not one of the many blends designed for oil burners as the additives are differant & not designed for use in petrol engines. Fuchs Titan race 5w40 is well regarded

[Kidders]

neiljohnson said:

The 5w30 oil works well in the 220 lump & I would not mess around with the spec the lubrication system is not the best & by changing the viscosity of the oil as it gets hot it will affect the pressure.
If you still decide to go for 5w40 make sure it's not one of the many blends designed for oil burners as the additives are differant & not designed for use in petrol engines. Fuchs Titan race 5w40 is well regarded

Oil pressure will drop as the temperature goes up unless its a really good top spec oil (Motul 300V is regarded as top line, over £100 quid to fill a 220 sump though) Its well know that the Duratec V6 suffers with big end issues so a slightly thicker film of oil in a hard driven engine will help in these circumstances.

At the moment my choice is Fuchs Titan Pro S ester based, but undecided on the actual grade.

[GaryST220]

Ignore the 5W-40 comment.

You want a 5W-30 oil with an ACEA specification of A3.

[Kidders]

GaryST220 said:

Ignore the 5W-40 comment.

You want a 5W-30 oil with an ACEA specification of A3.

Which you can get in a 5W 40 as well. Sorry, i forgot your an advanced driver so you know it all, I'll leave you to it.

You usual downright rude and arrogant response to another poster offering sound advice never fails to amaze me.

Edited by Kidders on Wednesday 16th May 19:10