Engine Oil and Track Lap times

[mbar1]

I just finished a great weekend at the track with my 2016 Camaro SS (V8 LT1 engine).
I noticed something weird and not scientific: I ran the same track Last October , same car , same brakes , same gas station, similar ambient temperature. Just the engine oil was different (Castrol 0W40 Last Oct Vs. Valvoline MST 5W40 last weekend). To my surprise my lap times (2 miles road course) were consistently 2 seconds faster last Oct with the Castrol. Could it be the oil? or it's just me being rusty after a long winter without track time?

Thanks

 

[JoelB]

What was the mileage on the car the first track day? Maybe related to engine break in?

 

[Quattro Pete]

LoL! Wouldn't it be nice if improving your laptime by 2 seconds was that easy.

 

[skyactiv]

It is NOT your oil. It is either you, your tires or something else.

 

[mbar1]

Originally Posted By: JoelB
What was the mileage on the car the first track day? Maybe related to engine break in?


5000 miles VS 8000 miles.

 

[OneEyeJack]

You're learning and your tires are doing a better job.

 

[mbar1]

Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
You're learning and your tires are doing a better job.


But my times got worst

 

[Quattro Pete]

Also, same gas station does not mean same gas.

 

[Berget]

Originally Posted By: mbar1
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
You're learning and your tires are doing a better job.


But my times got worst

Well then... You're getting older and your tires are getting more wear.

 

[mbar1]

Thank you everybody, for confirming that my theory is B-S . Now I need to go get a new set of tires...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: mbar1
Now I need to go get a new set of tires...

Was it dry or raining at the event?

In theory, more worn tires should actually be better on a dry track, assuming they were warmed up correctly.

 

[mbar1]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: mbar1
Now I need to go get a new set of tires...

Was it dry or raining at the event?

In theory, more worn tires should actually be better on a dry track, assuming they were warmed up correctly.



Dry track in both events. More worn tires are better, until they reach their max heat cycle (40-50 cycles).
Maybe I'm just rusty

 

[PolarisX]

Air temp, tire pressure, tire compound temp and condition, fuel quality, long term / short term fuel trims.

 

[OPR4H]

New tire + fsc + new oil and filter + new fuel filter. Clean throttle body.

 

[robertcope]

It's not your oil. I've been driving on track for many years. Instructing, too. If oil was worth two seconds, we'd all be running whatever magic oil that is. We're not. We barely even discuss oil on forums like the one that I help run, http://www.trackjunkies.org/

Two seconds can be attributed to a lot of things easily. A headwind at the right track can do that. Your mental game can do that. The condition of the track can do that. Oil can't do that.

 

[FCD]

Definetly not the oil slowing you down.

 

[Tman220]

Winter Gas?

Usually when I log either of my cars I consistently pull more timing (despite the colder temp) on winter gas.

Winter fuel is more volatile to aid in cold starting, I think because of this, when it starts to warm up it is more susceptible to detonation, thus more timing retard and less power.

 

[KL31]

Definitely the Valvoline mid saps causing some engine drag.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: Berget
Originally Posted By: mbar1
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
You're learning and your tires are doing a better job.


But my times got worst

Well then... You're getting older and your tires are getting more wear.

Tires with less tread should be faster...

 

[A_Harman]

Winter gas or dirty track would be my guesses.
Did the car seem down on power in the straights, or lacking grip in the turns?
As you gain experience on the track, you will be able to detect slight differences like that.

Or maybe you just forgot how to get through one turn that you were doing better last fall.