Engine oil recommendation for Turbocharged Airboat

[KeySmallBlock]

Posting a potential unique situation, and looking for insight from the experts here. I've been researched and have a few ideas. I have built a forged bottom end, pretty aggressive cam/valve train LS (V8) with a turbo running on e85. It is making about 750-800 hp but I plan to turn it up to ~900 soon. This is on an airboat running in Florida so it never gets run below ~40°F but run consistently over 85-90F. It gets run for long amounts of time and we beat on them pretty hard. It sees boost constantly. I have been previously using Driven racing oils 10w40 but was looking for a more economical or potentially better oil to use. One other thing to add is the boat will sit for a few weeks at a time, so something with some corrosion protection would be nice.

I had two schools of thought. A cheaper oil but still quality that is easily available that I can change more frequent. Such as Penzoil Platinum Euro 5w40, or one of the other 5w40 that maybe meets the A40 spec. For a little more I can go with Amsoil Signature Max Duty 5w40 or their Premium Protection 10w40 (I already have a membership so it's ~$44ish a gallon). I need 8 quarts.

Or finally go all out with a top tier oil that is more expensive such as Redline, HPL, even stick with Driven it would just come at an extended oil change interval.

I am open to ideas and opinions I would like to keep 5w40 or 10w40.

Thank you all!

 

[BrendanC]

Posting a potential unique situation, and looking for insight from the experts here. I've been researched and have a few ideas. I have built a forged bottom end, pretty aggressive cam/valve train LS (V8) with a turbo running on e85. It is making about 750-800 hp but I plan to turn it up to ~900 soon. This is on an airboat running in Florida so it never gets run below ~40°F but run consistently over 85-90F. It gets run for long amounts of time and we beat on them pretty hard. It sees boost constantly. I have been previously using Driven racing oils 10w40 but was looking for a more economical or potentially better oil to use. One other thing to add is the boat will sit for a few weeks at a time, so something with some corrosion protection would be nice.

I had two schools of thought. A cheaper oil but still quality that is easily available that I can change more frequent. Such as Penzoil Platinum Euro 5w40, or one of the other 5w40 that maybe meets the A40 spec. For a little more I can go with Amsoil Signature Max Duty 5w40 or their Premium Protection 10w40 (I already have a membership so it's ~$44ish a gallon). I need 8 quarts.

Or finally go all out with a top tier oil that is more expensive such as Redline, HPL, even stick with Driven it would just come at an extended oil change interval.

I am open to ideas and opinions I would like to keep 5w40 or 10w40.

Thank you all!

i would email Dave at HPL. just off the top of my head i would recommend the HPL PCEO 5w-40 changed yearly. a OTS option is M1 0w-40 aswell. i don’t think it would have a problem doing a yearly OCI either but would definitely like to see UOA’s.

 

[shurguywutt]

I'd run 15w40 Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic or similar HDEO.

 

[facility1]

Amsoil would be a good choice, check with them over best options & Pablo on this site.

 

[Slick3914]

Mobil 1 15-50 might be a good option.

 

[RDY4WAR]

Amsoil Premium Protection 10W-40
HPL Bad Ass Racing 5W-40
Driven DT40 5W-40
Red Line HP 5W-40

I'd choose one of those. At that power level and sustained load, you don't want to go cheap on the blood of the engine such as...

I'd run 15w40 Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic or similar HDEO.

...this. An oil that shears out of grade, doesn't tolerate fuel dilution well, and produces >50 ml of foam in D892 is the exact opposite of what you want. That engine would shred T6 to a pulp. I don't get why people think an oil meant for a low rpm, big sump diesel, that's already just mediocre in that application, is going to hold up well in a gas engine with sustained 2-3x higher rpm, alcohol fuel dilution, much more heat, and 1/2 the sump capacity. It's like asking a fat lumberjack to run an Olympic marathon.

 

[BrendanC]

That engine would shred T6 to a pulp

but my BROTELLA

 

[KeySmallBlock]

Amsoil would be a good choice, check with them over best options & Pablo on this site.

I think I'm leaning this way because I can still change it pretty frequently at that price point.
@Pablo any opinion?

Mobil 1 15-50 might be a good option.

I don't want to go above a 40 wt. The motor makes REALLY good oil pressure. Talking 70-80psi cruising. It doesn't need a 50 wt

i would email Dave at HPL. just off the top of my head i would recommend the HPL PCEO 5w-40 changed yearly. a OTS option is M1 0w-40 aswell. i don’t think it would have a problem doing a yearly OCI either but would definitely like to see UOA’s.

I will reach out to Dave. How does someone find his email?

I'd run 15w40 Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic or similar HDEO

I could do that too and change it every other month lol. Foaming is a concern, I cruise at 3-3500 rpms.

 

[KeySmallBlock]

Amsoil Premium Protection 10W-40
HPL Bad Ass Racing 5W-40
Driven DT40 5W-40
Red Line HP 5W-40

I'd choose one of those. At that power level and sustained load, you don't want to go cheap on the blood of the engine such as...



...this. An oil that shears out of grade, doesn't tolerate fuel dilution well, and produces >50 ml of foam in D892 is the exact opposite of what you want. That engine would shred T6 to a pulp. I don't get why people think an oil meant for a low rpm, big sump diesel, that's already just mediocre in that application, is going to hold up well in a gas engine with sustained 2-3x higher rpm, alcohol fuel dilution, much more heat, and 1/2 the sump capacity. It's like asking a fat lumberjack to run an Olympic marathon.

Thanks, this was my thought too. I was using that Driven before. What do you think about using the Amsoil and changing it more frequently? I just haven't seen anyone using the Premium Protection on here or talk about it much.

 

[wings&wheels]

Given the ambient temps and rpm's, my first thought was M1 15w-50 and the thicker oil should not be a problem. If you are set against a 50w, I'd look towards a Redline product such as their High Performance 10w/5w-40.

Pics please.

 

[Pablo]

I think I'm leaning this way because I can still change it pretty frequently at that price point.
@Pablo any opinion?

This https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-premium-protection-10w-40-100-synthetic-motor-oil-amo/?zo=515729

 

[BrendanC]

will reach out to Dave. How does someone find his email?

check your DM’s.

 

[KeySmallBlock]

This https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-premium-protection-10w-40-100-synthetic-motor-oil-amo/?zo=515729

Can you speak to this oil at all? As I said before I haven't seen anyone using the Premium Protection on here or talk about it at all. Like the formulation etc.

 

[Pablo]

Can you speak to this oil at all? As I said before I haven't seen anyone using the Premium Protection on here or talk about it at all. Like the formulation etc.

Old school oil. PAO, Ester. Low shear. High additive levels. Seems like a good fit for your application

 

[AdmiralYoda]

@KeySmallBlock Even with a 40wt or 50wt it isn't going to make much more pressure. The bypass spring in the oil pump is what controls the max pressure. You will probably have a bit higher pressure at hot/cold idle, but not cruising. The pump is making max pressure (and bypassing anything in excess of that) at about 3,000 RPMS. This happens even sooner with a high pressure or high volume pump.

You are operating that LS pretty hard under what I'd consider extreme conditions. The benefit of a 50w oil is the added cushion between the bearings. I'd also make sure you have some seriously robust oil cooling on that thing. And where are the pictures?!?!?

 

[KeySmallBlock]

@KeySmallBlock Even with a 40wt or 50wt it isn't going to make much more pressure. The bypass spring in the oil pump is what controls the max pressure. You will probably have a bit higher pressure at hot/cold idle, but not cruising. The pump is making max pressure (and bypassing anything in excess of that) at about 3,000 RPMS. This happens even sooner with a high pressure or high volume pump.

You are operating that LS pretty hard under what I'd consider extreme conditions. The benefit of a 50w oil is the added cushion between the bearings. I'd also make sure you have some seriously robust oil cooling on that thing. And where are the pictures?!?!?

I believe my bearing clearances are good for a 40wt oil, I would have to go back and find them. In my research the "more is better" isn't always the right approach. It's making plenty of oil pressure at the current weight. I guess I could try a 50wt. I just don't know if I really need it.
I don't believe the oil actually gets super hot. Cooling isn't a problem. There's an 82 inch prop that's pulling a tremendous amount of air over the radiator, engine (all aluminum), and oil sump. In fact the motor typically operates at or under about 190F. My Intake air temps are typically right around ambient as well under boost with the A2A intercooler getting that good airflow.

As requested here's a picture of the boat.

 

[BrendanC]

I believe my bearing clearances are good for a 40wt oil, I would have to go back and find them. In my research the "more is better" isn't always the right approach. It's making plenty of oil pressure at the current weight. I guess I could try a 50wt. I just don't know if I really need it.
I don't believe the oil actually gets super hot. Cooling isn't a problem. There's an 82 inch prop that's pulling a tremendous amount of air over the radiator, engine (all aluminum), and oil sump. In fact the motor typically operates at or under about 190F. My Intake air temps are typically right around ambient as well under boost with the A2A intercooler getting that good airflow.

As requested here's a picture of the boat.

View attachment 265311

do you have an oil cooler on it?

 

[KeySmallBlock]

No oil cooler. No one runs them, I've never seen one on anyone's boat. Like I said it runs pretty cool, and holds 8 quarts.

 

[BrendanC]

No oil cooler. No one runs them, I've never seen one on anyone's boat. Like I said it runs pretty cool, and holds 8 quarts.

i would be interested to know as there will be some serious heat dumped into the oil running 3x the factory HP under serious sustained load.

 

[KeySmallBlock]

i would be interested to know as there will be some serious heat dumped into the oil running 3x the factory HP under serious sustained load.

I'll read the oil pan temp after running it hard. I know it's not exact. But it will be better than nothing. I have 2 friends with similar boats (turbo V8) and been running for up to 3 years with no problems and no oil cooler.