Could I Now Be Considered a “Thick Oil” Man ?

[AEHaas]

All of a sudden I have started using 30 wt. oils.

In the Expedition I have been using it just because I had a stash of 0w30 M1 and want to use it up. Instead of using a 20 wt. oil in a Ferrari (as in the past) I am using a 30 wt. oil.

The Maybach and Lamborghini however, still run with 5W-20 Red Line oil.

So the question is this. Can I be considered a member of the “Thick Oil” fraternity now?

aehaas

 

[Shannow]

Not in my book.

Oil weights seem to have an asymptote at around 30.

I've gone from 70s, 60s, 50s, and now won't run over 40 weight.

30 is as far "thin" as I'm prepared to go from this side.

 

[mechtech2]

The intermediate viscosity of that 0-30 M1 should be similar to a 5-20, and there isn't really much difference at full running temps.
Are there any noise, smoothness, or power differences?

 

[Patman]

What oil are you running in the Ferrari now, Mobil 1 0w30 also? That'll probably thin out to a 0w20 anyhow.

 

[Blue99]

Dr Haas, in all honesty, based on your previously published comments, only a run of 5W-40 or 15w40, would validate you as a candidate for the "Thick Head" club.

 

[Gary Allan]

Well, I'd say "no". You're not a heavy weight practitioner until you reach the 40 weight threshold and refuse to leave it out of fear. 30 weight is sorta like using light beer to prep you for Octoberfest in Bavaria.

Then again, most problemed behaviors don't start out as full blown issues. There's an incremental advancement. First you just want to see what the bottles look like. Then you buy one or two and just look at them. You know you can "just say no". Then it advances to "Well, I'll just turn the cap and sniff it". Then you just use it for topup ..next thing you know you're buying cases of the stuff.

Be careful. Take it one day at a time.

 

[Black Thunder]

uh oh, i've just put 10w40 in my explorer not to long ago, and i may keep it that way.

 

[G-MAN]

Hello...my name is Ali, and I'm a viscoholic.

 

[AEHaas]

There is one more thing. I am using Castrol CG 0w30 in the Ferrari. Of course it normally calls for Shell Helix Ultra Racing 10W-60 oil. It is $70 a liter. I used $70 worth of the CG to do the oil change. I will show you an oil analysis when I get the same mileage as my neighbor whose Enzo I just tested at 1,400 miles on the 60 wt oil normally recommended. His data came in today but I am not ready to share it.

aehaas

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

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Originally posted by AEHaas:
There is one more thing. I am using Castrol CG 0w30 in the Ferrari. Of course it normally calls for Shell Helix Ultra Racing 10W-60 oil.

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You're using GC in the Enzo?

How did the Helix 5w40 that the dealer put in do?

 

[buster]

Is the Helix a Group III oil? Ali, how has the RL 5w-20 performed so far? I've only seen your 1st UOA. BTW, $70 a liter? LOL. That is a crime.

 

[G-MAN]

Helix Ultra 5w40 is made from XHVI, a Grp III base oil. The 10w60 is PAO.

 

[AEHaas]

I have not accumulated enough miles for a UOA of the current Red Line 5W-20 in the Murcielago nor the Maybach 57.

Pressures at operating temperatures in the Enzo with 40 wt. oil were appropriate. I will tell you that my neighbor's viscosity at 100 C was only 15 after the 1,400 miles. This was on the Helix Ultra 60 wt. oil.

If the Helix Ultra became a 40 wt. oil after only 1,400 miles then certainly a shear stable heavy 30 wt. oil would work.

aehaas

 

[AEHaas]

The new Ferrari 599 Fiorano uses the Enzo engine but "only" puts out 611 BHP whereas the Enzo get 650 BHP. The 599 uses 5W-40 Shell Helix Ultra (I believe).

Again, reason to theorize that a heavy wt. 30 wt. oil would work fine or even better than the recommended 60 wt. oil. Again, It is my application here that allows for a thinner oil. I do not race the car with oil temperatures topping 300 F.

aehaas

PS It is amazing that one can get 650 BHP from a naturally aspirated engine of only 5.9 L.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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So the question is this. Can I be considered a member of the “Thick Oil” fraternity now?

aehaas

---

No.

 

[buster]

quote:

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Helix Ultra 5w40 is made from XHVI, a Grp III base oil

---

Thanks G. I'm very surprised Shell is using a Group III to be honest. You would think with that kind of HP, they would be using a PAO/Ester based oil.

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

---

Originally posted by buster:

quote:

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Helix Ultra 5w40 is made from XHVI, a Grp III base oil

---

Thanks G. I'm very surprised Shell is using a Group III to be honest. You would think with that kind of HP, they would be using a PAO/Ester based oil.

---

Yes, but remember XHVI isn't a "typical" Group III. It's a wax isomerate with a VI of over 140.

 

[427Z06]

So Doc, are you going to add a chapter to your lubrication thesis on your move to thick SAE 30s?

 

[MC5W20]

I think thick oil title will apply when you use straight 50 or 20w50 exclusively in every internal combustion engine you own or service.

 

[Steelhead]

60w WolfsHead for all Ferrari's and Model T's...protects those babbit bearings