Coyote + Track Time - Oil Choices

[rijndael]

I've started to do short road courses with my Mustang ... it has a Coyote engine. I can't see myself doing it more than a few times in the spring and a few times in the fall. It calls for 5w-30 as a daily driver, but Ford Performance suggests 5w-50 for track time. I'm not sure if my short runs, 1 to 2 minutes, around a road course count as full track (HPDE) time but it's definitely outside of daily driver territory. Temps do get pretty warm, but I have an oil cooler.

Ideally, I wouldn't mind a robust oil that can do both DD and a few track days, like maybe Quaker State Euro 5w40.

I freely admit I get lost in all of Mobil's variations, FS, Euro, ESP, X1, X2, SuperCar, etc. I'm open to other suggestions.

I'm going to change it every 5K or less.

 

[bdcardinal]

If you go the 5W50 route, Mobil 1 5W50 Supercar is on Amazon for a reasonable price. I have that in mine along with a Ford Racing (they changed the name back to Ford Racing last week) FL-820S.

 

[JavierH19]

A 3.5hths oil is minimum imo but ford says to use 50 grade and since it's the summer Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 15w-50 would be great. But you'd be fine with almost anything especially if you add an extra quart for high rpm pumping keeping more oil up and sloshing when turning. But even if you were to use your average 3.1 hths pcmo 30 there's a solid chance it won't throw a rod. It's the low hths 20 grade that has had me reading storied about mustangs and other cars throwing rods on the track.

 

[rijndael]

Are you suggesting an extra quart, even when the sump holds 10?

 

[JavierH19]

Are you suggesting an extra quart, even when the sump holds 10?

Even with ten quarts yes just to be extra safe since it doesn't hurt. I run an extra quart in my smaller 6 and 8 quart sumps just to not have to top off during the interval and I've never had increased oil consumption in comparison to being at level nor any bubbling either. Constant high rpms and hard cornering make it have a lower oil level than regular daily driving.

 

[fantastic]

Don't add anymore oil than what is specified. That could lead to clogged PCV systems. Mustangs have surely compensated for any of those issues at the track. A 5w-50 would be an all around oil that you're seeking. I doubt you plan to run extended intervals. 40 grade all year long should be adequate though.

 

[RazorsEdge]

Schaeffer's
Torco
HPL
Amsoil

 

[edyvw]

Don't add anymore oil than what is specified. That could lead to clogged PCV systems. Mustangs have surely compensated for any of those issues at the track. A 5w-50 would be an all around oil that you're seeking. I doubt you plan to run extended intervals. 40 grade all year long should be adequate though.

Man, adding extra oil is one of the most common things that is being done on the track.
I run 1/2 to 1qt of extra oil in a sump that takes 7 1/2qt. It potentially prevents loss of pressure during high G loads.
And no, FORD did not “surely” for such exploitation. As far as I know it doesn’t have two oil pick up lines.

 

[edyvw]

Are you suggesting an extra quart, even when the sump holds 10?

If it doesn’t have two oil pick up lines, 1/2 to 1qt of extra oil.
I would go something not as thick but higher HTHS than 3.5. Mobil 1 0W40, Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40, even Castrol Edge 0W30.
The thing is that you are not doing HPDE. You are not staying on track long time where you need endurance oil. Plus, you have oil cooler. Thick oil will create, well, more resistance. So, it will affect performance. I personally would go Castrol Edge 0W30 if you are doing 1-2min sessions.

 

[rijndael]

Thanks for all of the nuggets, everyone.

I would go something not as thick but higher HTHS than 3.5. Mobil 1 0W40, Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40, even Castrol Edge 0W30.

Edge 0w-30 or the LL variant?

Isn't the Quaker State Euro 5w40 the same as the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w40?

 

[edyvw]

Thanks for all of the nuggets, everyone.



Castrol EDGE 0w-30 or the LL variant?

Isn't the Quaker State Euro 5w40 the same as the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w40?

Regular Castrol EDGE 0W30 A3, not LL.
Yes, QS should be same.

 

[SugarMouth]

I'm not sure if my short runs, 1 to 2 minutes, around a road course

Most HPDE road course would be 20-30 minute groups. You are running a 1-2 minute group/session? I would not be too worried about 5W-40 there. Oil temps do not typically get up there in 1-2 minutes.

 

[edyvw]

Most HPDE road course would be 20-30 minute groups. You are running a 1-2 minute group/session? I would not be too worried about 5W-40 there. Oil temps do not typically get up there in 1-2 minutes.

Yep. Nothing to worry here.
I would run Euro 30 to give some extra protection but not hamper performance, especially if it is time attack.

 

[rijndael]

Oil temps do not typically get up there in 1-2 minutes.

It peaks at about 260F on the gauge, but mine should be cooler. Oil temps are inferred/algorithm based in the Coyote and I've added an oil cooler but I can't tell the computer it's been added.

 

[Wireman1987]

Don't add anymore oil than what is specified. That could lead to clogged PCV systems. Mustangs have surely compensated for any of those issues at the track. A 5w-50 would be an all around oil that you're seeking. I doubt you plan to run extended intervals. 40 grade all year long should be adequate though.

Could even be a baffled design pan

 

[rijndael]

 

[TiGeo]

What type of event(s) only have 1-2 min of track time? For that I wouldn't bother changing from your daily oil. For true HPDE/20+ min sessions the Ford recommended 5W50 would be the go-to. 1-2 min isn't enough time to warm the tires and brakes.

 

[rijndael]

They label it "TrackCross". It's essentially 3/4 of a lap on a road course, with a coned chicane or two, and you queue up for 3-5 runs. You do this for 5 iterations. You can hit 100-110 pretty easily before a couple of good corners, so the brakes do get used. I could smell mine towards the last few runs in the afternoon, sitting in the queue, and the folks before and after me commented on it.

 

[TiGeo]

They label it "TrackCross". It's essentially 3/4 of a lap on a road course, with a coned chicane or two, and you queue up for 3-5 runs. You do this for 5 iterations. You can hit 100-110 pretty easily before a couple of good corners, so the brakes do get used. I could smell mine towards the last few runs in the afternoon, sitting in the queue, and the folks before and after me commented on it.

Got it/am familiar. Similar to autoX. Still...I wouldn't get concerned about your oil here...it's really not pushing things. Some folks drive that hard on the road. When you move to extended HPDE-type events that's when I'd start talking about changing from a daily oil to the 50 grade.

Me? My car sees ~6 track days and ~8 auto crosses a year. Oil temps on track 260-280 for 20+ min. I run HPL 5W40 in a power dense turbo 4 (~200 hp/L). I changed my oil once. Your Mustang's 5.0 is fine here on 5W30.

 

[rijndael]

I recognize it's tamer. Part of my concern is that this engine does run hotter on oil, normally. 230F is a pretty common oil temp when commuting around town with zero aggressiveness. There's also some nuances to the oil temp calculation algorithm where ac on/off makes some big differences in oil temps, even at highway speeds.