01 Cobra street/track oil: redline 5w30, edge 0w40, or something else?

[vafan13]

I have a 2001 Mustang Cobra with the 32v DOHC 4.6 and am looking for a new oil. This car is driven minimally, either for fun or on track, with track being the priority for oil choice.

I've been considering the Redline 5w30 or Edge 0w40, but not sure if either is more appropriate, or if there's a better choice at or below redline's cost.

Let me know your thoughts, and thanks in advance!

 

[redhat]

I don't think either are a bad choice, beyond cost. You could also comfortably use a Euro xW-30/40wt from Walmart -- Mobil, Castrol, Pennzoil, etc. Price would probably be a lot cheaper than the Redline.

For track I'd probably look for something with the Porsche A40 spec, Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40, 5W-40, ESP 0W-40. Or others that have that spec.

Nice car! Love the new-Edge Cobras. The 4 valve is a fine motor. IMO I think a modular sounds better than a Coyote.

 

[edyvw]

Like mentioned above, look Porsche A40.
Mobil1 0W40 or 5W40, Pennzoil Platinum 5W40, Castrol Edge 0W30 (no Porsche A40 since it is 30, but HTHS is min 3.5 and available at AAP).
I used M1 0W40, Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40, Castrol Edge 0W40 and some other on track, and all did very well.

 

[JavierH19]

Just about eny euro 30/40 will do. As redhat stated Porsche A40 is a good spec to look for. I think the QS 5w-40 I use has it.

 

[Hohn]

I don't think either are a bad choice, beyond cost. You could also comfortably use a Euro xW-30/40wt from Walmart -- Mobil, Castrol, Pennzoil, etc. Price would probably be a lot cheaper than the Redline.

For track I'd probably look for something with the Porsche A40 spec, Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40, 5W-40, ESP 0W-40. Or others that have that spec.

Nice car! Love the new-Edge Cobras. The 4 valve is a fine motor. IMO I think a modular sounds better than a Coyote.

This seems like a good recommendation to me.


@vafan13 do you know about what your oil temps are on track? You might consider a 50 grade. The M1 5w-50 doesn't get much love these days, but you might consider the FS X2 in 5w-50. Since you're probably not pushing long drain intervals, the shear down likely won't matter for you.

I'd think any Porsche C40/A40 oil would be a good choice, the C40 being the lower SAPS variant you can skip on an older Cobra in favor of A40.

 

[Hohn]

I'll throw out something else you might consider to be from left field: Valvoline Synthetic Advanced 20w-50. Low VI means very low VII content, it has a VERY stout HTHS of 5.4, the Valvoline add packs keep a good bit of Calcium and Moly even in SP formulations.

This oil should fare well on track days, still allow enough cold start performance for occasional street use (presumable no winter starts), and doesn't cost that much so if you dump it every 2k miles, you won't care.

Perusing the UOAs here, the valvoline oils seem to overperform in UOA when the VOA is pretty unimpressive.

 

[vafan13]

ThanksI don't think either are a bad choice, beyond cost. You could also comfortably use a Euro xW-30/40wt from Walmart -- Mobil, Castrol, Pennzoil, etc. Price would probably be a lot cheaper than the Redline.

For track I'd probably look for something with the Porsche A40 spec, Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40, 5W-40, ESP 0W-40. Or others that have that spec.

Nice car! Love the new-Edge Cobras. The 4 valve is a fine motor. IMO I think a modular sounds better than a Coyote.

Thanks! Definitely agree on the sound. One of the reasons I refuse to get rid of it!

 

[oil pan 4]

How hot does the oil get?

 

[edyvw]

I'll throw out something else you might consider to be from left field: Valvoline Synthetic Advanced 20w-50. Low VI means very low VII content, it has a VERY stout HTHS of 5.4, the Valvoline add packs keep a good bit of Calcium and Moly even in SP formulations.

This oil should fare well on track days, still allow enough cold start performance for occasional street use (presumable no winter starts), and doesn't cost that much so if you dump it every 2k miles, you won't care.

Perusing the UOAs here, the valvoline oils seem to overperform in UOA when the VOA is pretty unimpressive.

Won't measure to Euro oils, especially to those with Porsche A40 that have specific track test.
Also, why would you go with such high HTHS if not necessary? You rob engine of power and create more heat.

 

[facility1]

Royal Purple HPS 5w-30 or Amsoil SS 5w-30 would be a choice.

 

[Hohn]

Won't measure to Euro oils, especially to those with Porsche A40 that have specific track test.
Also, why would you go with such high HTHS if not necessary? You rob engine of power and create more heat.

We don’t know if it’s necessary because we don’t know the oil temps seen on track.

Agree that A40 oils are fantastic and would be a great choice here.

 

[Plumb Bob]

A40 as stated above.

 

[edyvw]

We don’t know if it’s necessary because we don’t know the oil temps seen on track.

Agree that A40 oils are fantastic and would be a great choice here.

I am not sure 20W50 is necessary regardless of the temperature. I bet it is not above 300f, and I ran Mobil1 0W40 on track at 300f. SOme BMW engines run above 300 on LL01 oils on track.
Unless 20W50 is required for an engine due to architecture or has some weak spot that demands such thick oil (like some M engines require 10W60), it is a waste of performance. Also, ZDDP levels are average. M1 0W40 will have higher ZDDP levels.

 

[Gene K]

We have a 323 ci version of that engine that ran 10s at the strip normally aspirated on a road race suspension with a T56 trans.

20 Grade - Max 239F
30 Grade - Max 248F
40 Grade - Max 266F
50 Grade - Max 284F
That was the FRPP recommendations as I recall. I'm to old for midsummer heat these days so I run M1 0W-40 mostly as a do everything oil including track days.

 

[edyvw]

We have a 323 ci version of that engine that ran 10s at the strip normally aspirated on a road race suspension with a T56 trans.

20 Grade - Max 239F
30 Grade - Max 248F
40 Grade - Max 266F
50 Grade - Max 284F
That was the FRPP recommendations as I recall. I'm to old for midsummer heat these days so I run M1 0W-40 mostly as a do everything oil including track days.

M1 0W40, Pennzoil 5W40, Castrol 0W40, Valvoline 5W40, Motul 5W40, anything MB 229.5 and Porsche A40 will do for track day.
Now, being track vehicle, if there are some modifications, maybe oil like Motul 300V 5W40 or 10W40 would be good.

 

[barbersurgeon]

Maxlife 10w-40?

 

[edyvw]

Maxlife 10w-40?

Why? Why would he go that when Mobil1 0W40 is available in Wal Mart for $24 for 5qt?

 

[buster]

AZ has ESP 0w40 X4. More shear stable than FS 0w40. Just another option. One of many that would work.

HT/HS 3.8; more stable VM.

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-esp-x4-0w-40

 

[vafan13]

How hot does the oil get?

Oil gauge is showing low 240s but I'm not sure how much I trust the sensor location. Let's call it 250 tops.

 

[oil pan 4]

Oil gauge is showing low 240s but I'm not sure how much I trust the sensor location. Let's call it 250 tops.

That's cooking. Probably want at least a 40wt oil.