Best oil Ferrari Mondial QV

[dennisdennis12]

Hi everyone,



I’m Dennis and I am new on this forum as a user, but actually have read quite a lot on this forum over the years. Could you guys maybe give me some advice regarding the best possible oil for my car.



My Car:

Ferrari Mondial QV, 1983, 78000 km

Factory oil spec is 10w50

Car is currently filled with Shell Helix Ultra 5w40

Oil consumption, around 1l/3000 km (most of it is not ‘real’ consumption, but small typical Italian leaks)

Most of the engine’s gaskets were replaced a couple of years ago, and engine is basically in like-new condition

I live in the EU (Netherlands)



I already thought about some possible options but I’m also open for other options. For example, motul 300v 5w50 (but I’m in doubt if it also fits road use, and some light track driving one/two times a year), Mobil 1 FS X2 5W50, the same helix ultra as is in the car (5w40), helix ultra racing 10w60.

 

[Zee09]

Welcome aboard

 

[Astro14]

The Shell Helix 5W-40 is a great choice. Oil wasn’t that great 40 years ago, and the XW-50 was a hedge against viscosity breakdown under heat. If your pressure is good (and you have a pressure gauge on this car) then the current Helix is just fine.

 

[WarEagle]

Would love to see a pic!

 

[TijY_]

Ravenol are running a promotion on the 5w40 VST

Fuchs Supersyn 5w50 with API SL is also an option if you really want to go to 50visc, probably not necessary though.

 

[dennisdennis12]

The Shell Helix 5W-40 is a great choice. Oil wasn’t that great 40 years ago, and the XW-50 was a hedge against viscosity breakdown under heat. If your pressure is good (and you have a pressure gauge on this car) then the current Helix is just fine.

Thanks, I have an oil pressure gauge and the pressure is indeed totally fine.

 

[dennisdennis12]

Hereby some pictures of my car

 

[f355spider]

Is that a Tubi Style exhaust? Clearly not the factory Ansa.
The Shell Helix Ultra is fine, that is the Ferrari factory recommended oil for Europe now. North America they recommend Shell Platinum Racing 5w-40.

I think the Ferrari factory recommendation changed in the early 2000's away from the originally spec'd Agip semi synthetic 10w-50 for the 1970s and 1980s era cars. I owned a 78 308GTS and later an 87 328GTS from 1999 to around 2005, they both had the 10w-50 recommendation in the owners manual, but few fellow owners searched out that Agip oil, most followed the Ferrari recommendation of a quality full synthetic 5w-40. A few use Mobil 1 15w-50. I did for a short time.

 

[dennisdennis12]

@f355spider thanks. It is indeed a tubi exhaust, which sounds amazing on this car.

 

[f355spider]

@f355spider thanks. It is indeed a tubi exhaust, which sounds amazing on this car.

I put a Tubi Style exhaust on my 87 328GTS. It sounded amazing. I put a Capristo exhaust on my F355 Spider. The 430 Scuderia is stock...I only added valve control so I can leave the valves open all the time.

 

[altaylar]

Is that a Tubi Style exhaust? Clearly not the factory Ansa.
The Shell Helix Ultra is fine, that is the Ferrari factory recommended oil for Europe now. North America they recommend Shell Platinum Racing 5w-40.

I think the Ferrari factory recommendation changed in the early 2000's away from the originally spec'd Agip semi synthetic 10w-50 for the 1970s and 1980s era cars. I owned a 78 308GTS and later an 87 328GTS from 1999 to around 2005, they both had the 10w-50 recommendation in the owners manual, but few fellow owners searched out that Agip oil, most followed the Ferrari recommendation of a quality full synthetic 5w-40. A few use Mobil 1 15w-50. I did for a short time.

View attachment 308116

And here I am not able to find that racing oil on google. I only know Evolube where you could buy that oil, but for a price that rivals HPL.


On a seperate question, would 15w-50 be helpful with that leak? I think I have that infamous leak from cam on my 348, I wonder how much would 5w vs 10-15-20w would make a difference there.

 

[f355spider]

And here I am not able to find that racing oil on google. I only know Evolube where you could buy that oil, but for a price that rivals HPL.


On a seperate question, would 15w-50 be helpful with that leak? I think I have that infamous leak from cam on my 348, I wonder how much would 5w vs 10-15-20w would make a difference there.

I have heard my dealer and independent Ferrari service provider can only get the Shell Platinum Racing 5w-40 in 55 gallon drums from the local distributor.

For your cam seal leak, I would fix the leak or live with it. I once tried 15w-50 in my F355 Spider and was shocked at how high the oil pressure was upon cold start. Wouldn't surprise me if it was on bypass until warmed up. Even then it was running pretty high. I ended up dumping it and going back to 5w-40.

 

[altaylar]

I have heard my dealer and independent Ferrari service provider can only get the Shell Platinum Racing 5w-40 in 55 gallon drums from the local distributor.

For your cam seal leak, I would fix the leak or live with it. I once tried 15w-50 in my F355 Spider and was shocked at how high the oil pressure was upon cold start. Wouldn't surprise me if it was on bypass until warmed up. Even then it was running pretty high. I ended up dumping it and going back to 5w-40.

Oh that would totally makes sense, so far that seems to be almost like a mistery oil that people talk about but seen rarely as a unicorn.

I did make a big deal of that cam seal leak, but I figured that kind of things is kind of normal with these type of vehicles. And I would not be surprised if my oil pressure also gets too high with 20-40, you have a very good point there. Mine is due belt service the next year, and it happens that there is an easy fix for the issue causes the leak, but you need a spesific tool for it. Ricambi has the tool, planning to rent it from him when my engine is going out of the car

 

[AEHaas]

The oil that bleeds back from over pressurization does not lubricate the engine. This is particularly important during the time it takes the Motor Oil to get up to its normal operating temperature. This generally takes about 15 to 20 minutes of driving. Look for my articles on this topic. Short story - not knowing how your temperature and pressures relate a 0W-40 oil is generally the way to go. Grades that are 50 or 60 generally become a 40 grade oil within 1,000 miles. I would rather use a grade stable 40 grade oil. If you track the car then a Fresh higher grade oil may be needed but maybe not. When not on the track change back to a "daily" use grade. I have found that pressures are generally too high just driving around town. Thus used 0W-30 grade oils in many super cars. I have used a 20 grade oil in my Enzo that gave me appropriate pressures in town. One of the benefits of 0W-XX and lower grade oils is that I feel I can safely rev them up even when the oil is still in the early running period. Oil and chamber pressure tests on many cars and models is consistent with lower than normal wear compared to others using higher grade oils for driving off-track.

ali

 

[dennisdennis12]

Thanks all. So the shell 5w40 definitely seems to be the way to go. Would it maybe be helpful to add a seal conditioner (for example, the forte seal conditioner) a motor flush or an additive to the new oil (for example, forte top end treatment) given the slight oil leaks of some seals.