Oil for blown 3800?

[guitargeek]

Hello everyone, I was hoping you could make a recomendation as to what to run in my Grand Prix. I have a normally aspirated motor which is going to be the proud recipient of a Paxton Novi 1000 supercharger, and I'm not sure what oil to run in it. I've been running Mobil 1 10w30, but I've also read that synthetic can cause some seals to leak in centrifugal blowers. Has anyone any experience with this? I was also wondering about the weight oil, since it will probably be seeing more reving now.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[outrun]

A)GC 0W30, Mobil 1 0W40, Red Line 10W30

B)

Not to bust a bubble, but couple quick points you may or may not know.

The naturally aspirated 3800 (RPO code: L36) is different internally versus the 3800 Supercharged.

I can say this with confidence up to Series II, Series III engines I do not know.

The Supercharged version as different (stronger) rods and piston/ring packs...also yielding a lower compression ratio.

If you go online you can find the PN# for the peices to make this a correct upgrade, but as you know a rebuild/engine pull will cost ya.

Most concede the stock internals of the NA 3800 should safely handle 5 psi watch the PCV system.

Many have complained of the oil fill stick shooting out like a rocket soaking your engine bay.

Is this a roots style on the intake manifold set-up?

Figure out out to plumb out the crankase pressure~

If you vehicle shares the same catalytic convertor set up as SC engines then you may not have to worry on excess back pressure.

Other than good luck, i considered the SC upgrade but gave up after exhaustive online reading for whats involved for a doing it right once and for all.

 

[T-Keith]

Outrun, maybe you should check out the kit he is refering to. The kit is very complete and there are many cars running great on them. The L67 block is the same, but the pistons and rods are stronger. Even still there are plenty of people running more then 5psi on L36s.

To answer your question guitargeek, I agree with outrun. GC(Castrol Syntec 0w30 made in Germany) seems to do well on these engines and Mobil 1 0w40 seems promising too. These synthetic oils should provide a little extra protection for your high output engine.

-T

 

[guitargeek]

I may end up trying the GC again. I was running it for a while, but my car seemed to consume a bit more than usual. I went back to the Mobil 1 and it seemed to stabilize back to normal.

I'm nervous about the spread of the 0-40. Wouldn't it thin out quite a bit?

 

[BlazerLT]

quote:

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Originally posted by guitargeek:
I may end up trying the GC again. I was running it for a while, but my car seemed to consume a bit more than usual. I went back to the Mobil 1 and it seemed to stabilize back to normal.

I'm nervous about the spread of the 0-40. Wouldn't it thin out quite a bit?

---

Did you listen to outrun at all?

 

[Spector]

I have used the Amsoil 10W30 in two 3800 Series II SC engines, factory installed. The 3800 is basically very easy on oil and under normal driving conditions can easily go 10,000 miles plus, even pushing it hard it should be able to go normal OCI. Not sure that you need to go to a 40W simply because you add a SC.

 

[guitargeek]

quote:

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Did you listen to outrun at all?

---

Yes, I did, and I appreciate his input and concern. However, I have been researching this for quite some time and am well aware of the differences between the L36 and L67. Yes, the L67 has lower CR. Yes, the L67 has stronger rods and pistons. However, I'll be running about 6 pounds of boost from a centrifugal blower, not a roots, so detonation is going to be much easier to combat. In addition, there are people running FAR more boost than I ever will on stock L36 bottom end with no problems, so I think I'll be ok.

I've never tried Amsoil products, although there is a shop near me that sells it. I may give it a shot as well.


Thanks for the responses guys!

 

[T-Keith]

For those worried about the Supercharger here's a dyno from the maker's website:

http://zzperformance.com/images/prod/ips/CSC4dyno_lrg.gif