Drag race oils

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CONMCK

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Looking for opinions on oil to use in drag race application.

1/4 mile drag racing, small block chev, 7000 rpm max, 650 horsepower.

Question is;
Is there alternative oils out there to use instead of the high priced products like Royal Purple, Joe Gibbs, Amsoil etc. There are many HDEO (diesel), whether CH/SL, CI/SM or the new CJ-4 for less than 1/2 the price, and of course many other types of gasoline oils. My thinking, why pay $150 dollars for a oil change when I could spend only $60 to $70 and still have the same protection, or very close.

I'm used to using 0-30 or 5-30 vis oil, I would consider 0-40 or 5-40 as the absolute upper viscosity.

Thoughts, experiences????
 
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Originally Posted By: The_Eric
What kind of cam do you have? Roller or flat tappet?

It is a solid roller, but I have always believed extra barrier lubrication (ie, flat tappet requirements) can be beneficial in other areas of the engine, whether its a SR, or FT.
 
Originally Posted By: azsynthetic
Mobil 0w40 is your ticket. Available at Walmart and sometimes on sale for $5/quart.

Impressive, a 0-30 would be my first choice, but regardless will have a look at this for sure.
 
We have a member here that has a GM drag car and uses Mobil 1 5w30 off the shelf. Problem is I don't remember his screen name.
 
There is many choices for a reasonable price. Valvoline vr1, Brad Penn has some nice oils for high performance applications. Some of the Mobil 1 oils have a good dose of zddp. My buddy drag races a 1970 Chevelle with a 9.2 liter "huge block" engine with 850hp and runs off the shelf Mobil 1 10w30 with no problems.
 
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For cheap I would say the Kendall GT1 20w50 would offer you some good protection. Around here its about 3.25 per quart and has boosted zinc as well as liquid titanium.

Mobil 1 15w50 would also work well.

In our methanol injected Big Block solid lifter engines we get cases of Pennzoil GT racing oil though. Get it from the local Shell distributor and have never had any premature wear. Our engine usually sees about 7,500 RPM.

EDIT...I see you only want a 40 weight oil. Perhaps Rotella or other HDEO would be a good one and if you want to boost the zinc a bit you can doctor it with some Red Line break in additive.
 
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Originally Posted By: johnnydc
There is many choices for a reasonable price. Valvoline vr1, Brad Penn has some nice oils for high performance applications. Some of the Mobil 1 oils have a good dose of zddp. My buddy drag races a 1970 Chevelle with a 9.2 liter "huge block" engine with 850hp and runs off the shelf Mobil 1 10w30 with no problems.


The valvoline line of race oils is worth looking at, and available. Brad penn is not easy to find. thx.
 
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Originally Posted By: Robenstein
For cheap I would say the Kendall GT1 20w50 would offer you some good protection. Around here its about 3.25 per quart and has boosted zinc as well as liquid titanium.

Mobil 1 15w50 would also work well.

In our methanol injected Big Block solid lifter engines we get cases of Pennzoil GT racing oil though. Get it from the local Shell distributor and have never had any premature wear. Our engine usually sees about 7,500 RPM.

EDIT...I see you only want a 40 weight oil. Perhaps Rotella or other HDEO would be a good one and if you want to boost the zinc a bit you can doctor it with some Red Line break in additive.


Yes, want to stick with the thinner vis for sure. 0-30 preferred. I do not like the idea of mixing additives, some, even the manufactures claim it does more harm then good!!??
 
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
If you have a radical cam in there, and it looks like you do, Id say that your best 0w30 would be Brad Penn if you can get it.


I'll make some calls and see about the Brad Penn availability,

Whats you opinion on the Valvoline VR-1 Racing oils, they have 3 different types,
VR-1 racing (conventional),
VR-1 racing (synthetic),
Specialty Racing Oil,
 
Originally Posted By: tig1
We have a member here that has a GM drag car and uses Mobil 1 5w30 off the shelf. Problem is I don't remember his screen name.

Yep. For the price it's tough to beat.
Now in all honesty any conventional 5w30 would be fine since the engine only runs for a few minutes at a time,and you likely drain it after each event.
The common thought is to go thicker but in reality,because your at wide open throttle a good 5w-20 would be ideal. It lessens pumping losses,gets to temp fast and as long as you maintain roughly 10 pounds oil pressure for every 1000 rpms it's more than enough. You may have slightly less oil pressure however you will have more volume,which is really what your after.
I know I will get flamed for this post and by all means go ahead,but the logic behind my reasoning makes sense.
 
Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: tig1
We have a member here that has a GM drag car and uses Mobil 1 5w30 off the shelf. Problem is I don't remember his screen name.

Yep. For the price it's tough to beat.
Now in all honesty any conventional 5w30 would be fine since the engine only runs for a few minutes at a time,and you likely drain it after each event.
The common thought is to go thicker but in reality,because your at wide open throttle a good 5w-20 would be ideal. It lessens pumping losses,gets to temp fast and as long as you maintain roughly 10 pounds oil pressure for every 1000 rpms it's more than enough. You may have slightly less oil pressure however you will have more volume,which is really what your after.
I know I will get flamed for this post and by all means go ahead,but the logic behind my reasoning makes sense.


No flame here,
For the last 10 years or so I usually change the filter every 30 passes, change the oil/filter every 60 passes, average about 125 passes a year. I always change oil and filter at the end of the season and store it with fresh. If I start out with a fresh engine I will change it abit more often like 2 or 3 times in the first 20 or so passes, make sure everything is okay and then the normal maint after.

I am abit leery about the 5w-20 vis , my routine is to warm the engine thouroughly at the start of the day, give it a good heat soak. Hot oil, cool water when it is time to race. This is a bracket car, looking for the best consistancy therefore I must start out with hot oil, otherwise as the day progresses, the oil keeps heating and car is harder to keep consistant. (water temps are always within about 5 degrees at the starting line, anyday, anytime!!!!) Right now with 0w-30, hot, I trap at 50 psi, idle at 1200 at approx 20 psi.
 
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Originally Posted By: CONMCK
Originally Posted By: johnnydc
There is many choices for a reasonable price. Valvoline vr1, Brad Penn has some nice oils for high performance applications. Some of the Mobil 1 oils have a good dose of zddp. My buddy drag races a 1970 Chevelle with a 9.2 liter "huge block" engine with 850hp and runs off the shelf Mobil 1 10w30 with no problems.


The valvoline line of race oils is worth looking at, and available. Brad penn is not easy to find. thx.


You are right about the Valvoline VR1. Very easy to find. The brad Penn can be found at distributors/warehouse type places. Maybe a local speed shop also. But , you can't go wrong with the VR1.
 
Originally Posted By: CONMCK
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
For cheap I would say the Kendall GT1 20w50 would offer you some good protection. Around here its about 3.25 per quart and has boosted zinc as well as liquid titanium.

Mobil 1 15w50 would also work well.

In our methanol injected Big Block solid lifter engines we get cases of Pennzoil GT racing oil though. Get it from the local Shell distributor and have never had any premature wear. Our engine usually sees about 7,500 RPM.

EDIT...I see you only want a 40 weight oil. Perhaps Rotella or other HDEO would be a good one and if you want to boost the zinc a bit you can doctor it with some Red Line break in additive.


Yes, want to stick with the thinner vis for sure. 0-30 preferred. I do not like the idea of mixing additives, some, even the manufactures claim it does more harm then good!!??



Agree
thumbsup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: CONMCK
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
If you have a radical cam in there, and it looks like you do, Id say that your best 0w30 would be Brad Penn if you can get it.


I'll make some calls and see about the Brad Penn availability,

Whats you opinion on the Valvoline VR-1 Racing oils, they have 3 different types,
VR-1 racing (conventional),
VR-1 racing (synthetic),
Specialty Racing Oil,


Valvoline VR1 is a very good oil. Been around for many years and many folks use it. Very good price for the stout oil. They have 5w30 or 10/30 in VR1 flavor. I don't know if they have a VR1 0/30. The VR1 line is like street and track use. The specialty racing oil is for trck use only.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
For cheap I would say the Kendall GT1 20w50 would offer you some good protection. Around here its about 3.25 per quart and has boosted zinc as well as liquid titanium.

Mobil 1 15w50 would also work well.

In our methanol injected Big Block solid lifter engines we get cases of Pennzoil GT racing oil though. Get it from the local Shell distributor and have never had any premature wear. Our engine usually sees about 7,500 RPM.

EDIT...I see you only want a 40 weight oil. Perhaps Rotella or other HDEO would be a good one and if you want to boost the zinc a bit you can doctor it with some Red Line break in additive.


Funny you say Pennzoil GT racing oil. Once a year we have a big car show up here and the Sampson monster truck was there. I asked the guy what oil he uses, and he told me Pennzoil GT 20/50. And that engine burns methenol...Says it works great for him.
P.S. There is no cooling system on monster trucks.
 
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