Oil Type

[Nick_Chim]

Hoary old topic, but there seems to be as many opinions as Chims on oil choice and I'm currently vexed!

Currently I'm on 0W40 Mobil 1, but it's going into RT racing on Monday for a service and they tell me they use/recommend Castrol GTX.

Can I ask for a quick straw poll of the grades and types people have / recommend!?

[M@H]

I'd go Mobil 1 or Mobil Motorsport

Castrol GTX is Mineral not Synthetic isnt it..?

[chassis 33]

0W40 is a bit thin for the RV8, 15W50 is better if you can find it.

As for brands, well everyone has their favourite, a bit like colours really!

Regards
Iain

[PeterC]

In my brief experience with both Mobil & Castrol oils I would always go for the more expensive synthetic oils in a TVR. This is because they seem to retain there performance better at higher temperatures and TVR's do run very warm.

Try to avoid the 0W40 viscosity, if you shop around you can find 15W50. Expect to pay around £28 for 4 litres and you will need 5 litres, so buy two!!!

Whatever oil you decide to use, but particualrly if you do decide to use Castrol GTX, then make sure that you do an oil & filter change every 6 months if you only do low annual mileage (weekend car) and every 3 months if you do a lot of miles (daily driver). This will prolong the life of your engine and in my opinion is more important that which oil you actually use.

I have an oil change at service (March) and do my own oil & filter change 6 months later (Sept). I also use the same oil for flushing the system as you cannot mix low cost mineral with synthetics.

[slikk]

I only ever use 15/50 Mobil 1

kim

[FunkyGibbon]

I use Silkolene Pro S 10/50 - ester based fully synthetic oil.

Supplied by PHer opieoilman

I find I get much less oil consumption than Mobil 1 Motorsport.

FG

[Number 7]

Standard M1 is too thin for the pre-serp engine. It should have a 10-15 / 40-50. I use Motul 300V Comp. 15/50. Dont know anything about GTX, but as suggested, check out the threads with Opie oilman. V. helpful.

7.

[cerby4.5]

I use Shell Helix Ultra 10W60.
I find it an excellent quality oil and well suited to the Rover V8 engine. At the end of the day the opinions vary from place to place and it is also down to personal choice/preference.
All I know is my car is running beautifully and oil consumption is less than I would have imagined.

[the dodger]

Number 7 said:

Standard M1 is too thin for the pre-serp engine. It should have a 10-15 / 40-50. I use Motul 300V Comp. 15/50. Dont know anything about GTX, but as suggested, check out the threads with Opie oilman. V. helpful. 7.

Not sure what Standard M1 is but I totally agree with the range of viscocities here. 10w-40 to 15w-50 or even 60 is best for the RV8. Oil design has moved on in leaps since this engine was first designed and although revisions to some innards and oil pump it probably does not NEED fully 'sympathetic' oil - but I think it helps! All MHO of course.

Avoid 0w-anything, it's like bat's piss!

[55jnj]

My Chim is really only used on track these days & that influenced my decision to go Motul 300V 15-50. Not cheap though - about £35 for 4 ltrs.

[Number 7]

55jnj said:

My Chim is really only used on track these days & that influenced my decision to go Motul 300V 15-50. Not cheap though - about £35 for 4 ltrs.

Thats a bit pricey. I got exactly the same from Opie, worked out at £28.60 per 4L (I bought 16L) including postage and vat.

7.

[55jnj]

Number 7 said:

55jnj said: My Chim is really only used on track these days & that influenced my decision to go Motul 300V 15-50. Not cheap though - about £35 for 4 ltrs. Thats a bit pricey. I got exactly the same from Opie, worked out at £28.60 per 4L (I bought 16L) including postage and vat. 7.

Never really been one to shop around (must be a salesman's dream) so long as I get good service. Who's Opie ?

[Number 7]

55jnj said:

Who's Opie ?

See earlier in this thread. Very helpful with oil queries / recs. for specific cars.

7.

[crackedfinger]

I had a similar thread in the grif forum

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=203591&f=9&h=0

I got 10l of Silkolene Pro R 15w-50 for £72.99 delivered. There is a PDF price sheet that they email out.

www.opieoils.co.uk/lubricants.htm

[55jnj]

Number 7 said:

55jnj said: Who's Opie ? See earlier in this thread. Very helpful with oil queries / recs. for specific cars. 7.

Tnank you.