GC Question: Upper temperature limit?

[Z28Camaro]

I have a 2003 Corvette Z06 with a LS6 engine and have been running GC in it since about 16K miles. It has about 26K on it now and it's been very hot here this summer. Heat index of 105 at times with average temperatures in the low to mid 90s.

I've been watching the oil temperature a lot lately and with spirited driving I can get it up in to the 230s. Just driving normally it's around 220-225F. Once on a big run I saw 255F.

My question is if this oil will withstand this well or am I pushing it? I'd like to stick to a premium type shelf oil if I could, so would some M1 0W-40 be a better choice? Maybe something different? PU 5W-40?

 

[addyguy]

GC is a VERY stout oil - I don't think the temps you are seeing will stress it at all.

GC seems to work well GM V-8's most of the time, I'd stay with it.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

You could always do a UOA to see how well the oil is holding up.

 

[HTSS_TR]

M1 0W-40 may be a better choice than GC, it's one of few oil recommended for MB AMG engines while GC is not. PU 5W40 European Formula and M1 TDT 5W40 are another good choices, the problem is PU 5W40 is not available over the counter yet, only online.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
M1 0W-40 may be a better choice than GC, it's one of few oil recommended for MB AMG engines while GC is not.

That's because, in general, MB has a partner deal with XOM.

Both M1 0w-40 and GC carry the same MB spec though (229.5).

 

[Z28Camaro]

Thanks for all the info so far. It sounds like the GC will be ok for this application. I will say it sure freaked me out when I saw it up at 255F though. Before then I had never had it over 240F.

What specific teperature is too much for this oil? 260, 270, 280...?

 

[Mitch Alsup]

Originally Posted By: Z28Camaro
I've been watching the oil temperature a lot lately and with spirited driving I can get it up in to the 230s. Just driving normally it's around 220-225F. Once on a big run I saw 255F.


These temperatures are just fine. The temperature at which to become concerned is 285dF, while anything bove 265dF is where you start watching the oil temps continuously.

 

[glxpassat]

GC meets VW spec 503.01 which means it is an Audi high horsepower turbo long life oil, so you should be fine. M1 0w-40 used to carry this but no longer does. I would use GC or the Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40 that folks are getting for free right now that meets this VW spec, Porsche, and is the only Ferrari approved oil in the US. If not those, Red Line.

 

[m6pwr]

[quote
These temperatures are just fine. The temperature at which to become concerned is 285dF, while anything bove 265dF is where you start watching the oil temps continuously.[/quote]

Where do these temp limits come from?

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
Z28Camaro - M1 0W-40 would be a great choice. GC 0W-30 has not been a Porsche Approved lubricant (in non VW derived engines) since 1999. This is due to the stringent viscosity durability tests imposed by Porsche (and MB-AMG)

 

[CATERHAM]

The factory recommended oil for all Corvettes including the supercharged 600 plus hp ZR-1, is M1 5W-30 with it's HTHS vis of 3.09 cP.
255F(124C), as has been mentioned is certainly not too hot for that oil and it is not reason enough to deviate from the spec' oil, IMO.

 

[m6pwr]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
The factory recommended oil for all Corvettes including the supercharged 600 plus hp ZR-1, is M1 5W-30 with it's HTHS vis of 3.09 cP.
255F(124C), as has been mentioned is certainly not too hot for that oil and it is not reason enough to deviate from the spec' oil, IMO.


That has to be misprint/typo. An oil with HTHS (high temp/high shear) of 3.09 would be the appropriate application for the Tahoe V-8 that runs around 190 F and 1500 rpm most of the day. A rating of 3.09 is in effect low temp/low shear.

 

[CATERHAM]

The HTHS at 150C spec' is correct and typical of a light 30wt oil. For example PP 5W-30 is virtually the same at 3.1 cP.

The info is readily available from the oil companies Product Data Sheets (PDS).

 

[zoomzoom]

Originally Posted By: Z28Camaro
Thanks for all the info so far. It sounds like the GC will be ok for this application. I will say it sure freaked me out when I saw it up at 255F though. Before then I had never had it over 240F.

What specific teperature is too much for this oil? 260, 270, 280...?


A3 rated syn oil should be fine for 300F without problem..I use to run GC in my S4 on the racetrack with oil temps in 270-280F range and no problems...

Here is Joe Gibbs take on syn/mineral oil temperature ranges:

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: Mitch Alsup
Originally Posted By: Z28Camaro
I've been watching the oil temperature a lot lately and with spirited driving I can get it up in to the 230s. Just driving normally it's around 220-225F. Once on a big run I saw 255F.


These temperatures are just fine. The temperature at which to become concerned is 285dF, while anything bove 265dF is where you start watching the oil temps continuously.


+1, I would be concerned if it ran 255F all the time, but the occasional track day isn't an issue. A person doing track days in a base C6 or C6 Z51 would kill to have temperatures that low and they aren't having problems.

210-230F oil is a good everyday temperature for Corvette.

 

[Z28Camaro]

Thanks for the info guys. Any time the car sees top speed or near it the oil temp can climb up to 250. It doesn't get there too often. I'm going to stick with the GC.

 

[dparm]

I think it's fine to take that kind of heat periodically. If anything, it should help burn off any [censored] that's in there.

If it makes you nervous, there are always 5w40s that can take higher temps but I have no idea how the big LSx motors do with something that heavy.

Only other option is to step up to a top-tier boutique oil in 5w30 like Red Line or Motul. My German V8 felt like a whole new beast when I moved up to Motul 300V, though it's about $13/qt and doesn't like long drain intervals (anything past 6 or 7k). It's a race oil you can use on the street.

 

[hooligan24]

I have used GC in my turbo'd 4 cyl during a day at the roadcourse. Daily temps were in the 90's, oil temps were in the 275-285F in the oil pan every session. UOA came back great. I used the oil for the track day, and another 2500ish miles for my daily driving.

 

[jmaster]

Originally Posted By: glxpassat
GC meets VW spec 503.01 which means it is an Audi high horsepower turbo long life oil, so you should be fine. M1 0w-40 used to carry this but no longer does. I would use GC or the Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40 that folks are getting for free right now that meets this VW spec, Porsche, and is the only Ferrari approved oil in the US. If not those, Red Line.

where do we get it for free?! i'll take some

 

[glxpassat]

Don't know if they're still doing it, but contact Debbie - [email protected]