General oil advice for an older design of V8

[QBee]

Hi Guys,

I am interested on your views on Shell Helix 10w60 oil for track day use (and general road use) in a British TVR sports car. Performance is 0-60mph in about 4.3 seconds, quarter mile in about 12-13 seconds, top speed 160 mph.
Climate - operating in temperatures from 32F to about 85F, mainly 45F to 70F.

Engine is 5 litres, V8, a longer stroke version of the Range Rover engine, which in turn was developed from a 1950s Buick, so not exactly high tech. The TVR forums in the UK worry about having enough zinc in their oil, but otherwise opinions vary on what is the best oil to run.

My engine was actually built last year, 10,000 miles ago, but the average age of these V8 engines is about 18 years old. Most owners use a 20w50 oil, something like Valvoline VR1, or Castrol 5 or 10w40.

 

[GutsyGecko]

Go for it! Should work just as well as lighter grades. Do you have oil pressure gauges to monitor?

 

[QBee]

Thanks for the reply. Encouraging!

Yes, the car does have an oil pressure gauge (apologies for English spelling), and the pressure is usually reading between 45 psi (cold) and 30psi hot. That assumes you trust the gauge. Can drop below a little 30psi when very hot and idling.

The one killer, i am told, is braking hard on the race track and then throwing the car into a sharp bend, but frankly I am too busy staying on the track at this moment to look at the gauge!! I am fitting a baffled sump which also holds an extra 2.5 pints of oil, in about two weeks time as a precaution - presently being built.