Hi all,
I didn’t find an introduction topic. So apologies for going straight into posting questions. If I missed the introduction topic, please let me know and I will properly introduce myself.
On topic: currently I’m looking for engine oil for a racing car. I could do with some advice. Let me start off by providing you with some information:
Car
The car is an Alfa Romeo 75 2.0 Twin Spark (1991). I recently purchased the car and have very limited information about it's past and maintanance history. It has been used as a track-day car for at least the last 8 years. Before that it was a road car. The total mileage on the car is 188.000 km (117.000 mi). It has been slightly modified externally (open air intake, stainless racing exhaust, modified ECU). I do not know if there have been any modifications made internally. The engine, to my knowledge, is made from aluminium. And older Alfa Romeo’s tend to sweat a bit all around the block, as does mine.
Owner manual
The owner manual states the following:
Cerifications:
SAE S E
ASTM S E
API SF
Recommended engine oils from the owners manual:
AGIP Sint 2000 10W/40
Alternative: Shell Super Plus Motor Oil 15W/50
Environment / usage
I’m from the Netherlands so the car will be used in varying conditions (wet/dry) from about 10 C (50F) to 35 C (95F). It is unlikely to be driven on track during winter times (below 50F) but it will be moved inside/outside the storage/garage to get to other cars. So it will see cold starts from time to time.
As it is a track-car it will be driven hard. Also, the car will stand still for multiple months at some point, before it is driven again.
Options
So this is where I would love your expert advice. The oil prescribed by the manufacturer (AGIP Sint 2000 10W40) is no longer available, as AGIP has transitioned into ENI. The replacement oil is Eni i-Sint 10W40. Which seems to be the same oil as the latest version of AGIP Sint 2000 10W40 that was produced. So, sticking with this oil seems like a very good option. (Link to: spec sheet)
Since this car will only be driven on track for the foreseeable future (in the semi-distant future we might drive it to the Nordschleife, but currently it will only be transported on a trailer), using a racing oil seems more suitable. So, sticking as close a possible to the OEM oil, but upgrading it to a racing oil, provides me with the following option: Eni Sport 10W60 (Link to: spec sheet).
Advice request
However, this is where things become a bit unclear/weird to me as an oil-noob. I read a beginners’ guide on this website and as I understand, the lower the viscosity, the better (all other things being equal). However, the viscosity of the 10W40 oil is lower at both low and high temperatures compared to the 10W60 oil. I was under the impression that the 10W60 oil would at least have a lower viscosity under higher temperatures. So, either I am not understanding what is going on here (most likely scenario) or there is something weird going on with this particular 10W40 vs 10W60 comparison.
Could someone shed a light?
Would this 10W60 oil be a good choice for my application (also considering additives/non-viscocity specifications)?
The reason I prefer to stick to ENI (AGIP) in this case (and not switch to Castrol/Mobil 1/Shell etc.) is twofold. Firstly, it is the recommended brand for this particular model. Secondly, Alfa Romeo and AGIP have a longstanding history together and most engines Alfa Romeo built (at least in the 80s and 90s, to my knowledge) have been developed with AGIP oil. I am not married to the idea of using ENI, it just makes sense to me. I would love to hear your thoughts on this as well.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post.
I didn’t find an introduction topic. So apologies for going straight into posting questions. If I missed the introduction topic, please let me know and I will properly introduce myself.
On topic: currently I’m looking for engine oil for a racing car. I could do with some advice. Let me start off by providing you with some information:
Car
The car is an Alfa Romeo 75 2.0 Twin Spark (1991). I recently purchased the car and have very limited information about it's past and maintanance history. It has been used as a track-day car for at least the last 8 years. Before that it was a road car. The total mileage on the car is 188.000 km (117.000 mi). It has been slightly modified externally (open air intake, stainless racing exhaust, modified ECU). I do not know if there have been any modifications made internally. The engine, to my knowledge, is made from aluminium. And older Alfa Romeo’s tend to sweat a bit all around the block, as does mine.
Owner manual
The owner manual states the following:
Cerifications:
SAE S E
ASTM S E
API SF
Recommended engine oils from the owners manual:
AGIP Sint 2000 10W/40
Alternative: Shell Super Plus Motor Oil 15W/50
Environment / usage
I’m from the Netherlands so the car will be used in varying conditions (wet/dry) from about 10 C (50F) to 35 C (95F). It is unlikely to be driven on track during winter times (below 50F) but it will be moved inside/outside the storage/garage to get to other cars. So it will see cold starts from time to time.
As it is a track-car it will be driven hard. Also, the car will stand still for multiple months at some point, before it is driven again.
Options
So this is where I would love your expert advice. The oil prescribed by the manufacturer (AGIP Sint 2000 10W40) is no longer available, as AGIP has transitioned into ENI. The replacement oil is Eni i-Sint 10W40. Which seems to be the same oil as the latest version of AGIP Sint 2000 10W40 that was produced. So, sticking with this oil seems like a very good option. (Link to: spec sheet)
Since this car will only be driven on track for the foreseeable future (in the semi-distant future we might drive it to the Nordschleife, but currently it will only be transported on a trailer), using a racing oil seems more suitable. So, sticking as close a possible to the OEM oil, but upgrading it to a racing oil, provides me with the following option: Eni Sport 10W60 (Link to: spec sheet).
Advice request
However, this is where things become a bit unclear/weird to me as an oil-noob. I read a beginners’ guide on this website and as I understand, the lower the viscosity, the better (all other things being equal). However, the viscosity of the 10W40 oil is lower at both low and high temperatures compared to the 10W60 oil. I was under the impression that the 10W60 oil would at least have a lower viscosity under higher temperatures. So, either I am not understanding what is going on here (most likely scenario) or there is something weird going on with this particular 10W40 vs 10W60 comparison.
Could someone shed a light?
Would this 10W60 oil be a good choice for my application (also considering additives/non-viscocity specifications)?
The reason I prefer to stick to ENI (AGIP) in this case (and not switch to Castrol/Mobil 1/Shell etc.) is twofold. Firstly, it is the recommended brand for this particular model. Secondly, Alfa Romeo and AGIP have a longstanding history together and most engines Alfa Romeo built (at least in the 80s and 90s, to my knowledge) have been developed with AGIP oil. I am not married to the idea of using ENI, it just makes sense to me. I would love to hear your thoughts on this as well.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my post.