Oil grade question, lifter issues, RB25.

[GDR33]

HI all.
I have searched but could not find a problem/issue similar to mine. Also not sure if this is posted in the correct section,

Short version- I have intermittent lifter tick after high rpm, high boost driving (it’s a drift car) which goes away quickly when driving normal( 1-3k rpm, no boost
Currently running penrite 10 10ths, 10w-60. Is my oil too thick?

Long version-
Nissan RB25det. Factory rebuild, bottom end bearing clearances at top end of factory clearance. Ring gap at top end of factory clearance. Stock oil pump. VCT oil feed stock, front feed blocked and rear 1.25mm restrictor (as recommended for RB25 with stock oil pump, used for drifting, as per SAU oil supply thread-if any one is familiar).
Extra head to sump ‘drain’ (this just helps equalise crankcase pressure with rocker cover pressure- allowing oil to drain back to sump easier)
External oil cooler, no thermostat.
Two dash 10 lines from rocker cover to vent to atmosphere catch can. Car has zero blowby-discharge into catch can.

No issues street driving, oil temps sit around 85-90. No lifter tick, even after a pull.
However, on track, with lots of high rpm/limiter and with oil temps 95-105 it will develop a lifter tick, which will go away after 2-3mins of idle/ low rpm (basically as you finish the run, and make way back to pits, generally by the time I pull up and open bonnet it’s gone) I note oil temps also drop in this time.
I don’t believe there is a lifter hardware problem, As there is no lifter tick at any other time.
Oil pressure at idle (hot) is 30psi
Oil pressure at redline is 85psi

Every skyline expert (on the internet!) swears by running a 10w-60 in an RB motor used on the track, for better bottom end protection. I’ve ran that since I did the rebuild (done 2000km so far)
The head restrictors seem weird (if unfamiliar with RB engines) but is a common mod, and been used countless times.

Stock recommended oil is 10w-40.

So the question
Do you think going to a 10w-50 or 10w-40 will solve the lifter tick?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading

 

[Arc]

HI all.
I have searched but could not find a problem/issue similar to mine. Also not sure if this is posted in the correct section,

Short version- I have intermittent lifter tick after high rpm, high boost driving (it’s a drift car) which goes away quickly when driving normal( 1-3k rpm, no boost
Currently running penrite 10 10ths, 10w-60. Is my oil too thick?

Long version-
Nissan RB25det. Factory rebuild, bottom end bearing clearances at top end of factory clearance. Ring gap at top end of factory clearance. Stock oil pump. VCT oil feed stock, front feed blocked and rear 1.25mm restrictor (as recommended for RB25 with stock oil pump, used for drifting, as per SAU oil supply thread-if any one is familiar).
Extra head to sump ‘drain’ (this just helps equalise crankcase pressure with rocker cover pressure- allowing oil to drain back to sump easier)
External oil cooler, no thermostat.
Two dash 10 lines from rocker cover to vent to atmosphere catch can. Car has zero blowby-discharge into catch can.

No issues street driving, oil temps sit around 85-90. No lifter tick, even after a pull.
However, on track, with lots of high rpm/limiter and with oil temps 95-105 it will develop a lifter tick, which will go away after 2-3mins of idle/ low rpm (basically as you finish the run, and make way back to pits, generally by the time I pull up and open bonnet it’s gone) I note oil temps also drop in this time.
I don’t believe there is a lifter hardware problem, As there is no lifter tick at any other time.
Oil pressure at idle (hot) is 30psi
Oil pressure at redline is 85psi

Every skyline expert (on the internet!) swears by running a 10w-60 in an RB motor used on the track, for better bottom end protection. I’ve ran that since I did the rebuild (done 2000km so far)
The head restrictors seem weird (if unfamiliar with RB engines) but is a common mod, and been used countless times.

Stock recommended oil is 10w-40.

So the question
Do you think going to a 10w-50 or 10w-40 will solve the lifter tick?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading

Throw it in there and see. I assume you are changing the oil after every hard run anyway so it shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[kschachn]

Throw it in there and see. I assume you are changing the oil after every hard run anyway so it shouldn't be a big deal.

A sensible suggestion.

 

[wlk]

HI all.
I have searched but could not find a problem/issue similar to mine. Also not sure if this is posted in the correct section,

Short version- I have intermittent lifter tick after high rpm, high boost driving (it’s a drift car) which goes away quickly when driving normal( 1-3k rpm, no boost
Currently running penrite 10 10ths, 10w-60. Is my oil too thick?

Long version-
Nissan RB25det. Factory rebuild, bottom end bearing clearances at top end of factory clearance. Ring gap at top end of factory clearance. Stock oil pump. VCT oil feed stock, front feed blocked and rear 1.25mm restrictor (as recommended for RB25 with stock oil pump, used for drifting, as per SAU oil supply thread-if any one is familiar).
Extra head to sump ‘drain’ (this just helps equalise crankcase pressure with rocker cover pressure- allowing oil to drain back to sump easier)
External oil cooler, no thermostat.
Two dash 10 lines from rocker cover to vent to atmosphere catch can. Car has zero blowby-discharge into catch can.

No issues street driving, oil temps sit around 85-90. No lifter tick, even after a pull.
However, on track, with lots of high rpm/limiter and with oil temps 95-105 it will develop a lifter tick, which will go away after 2-3mins of idle/ low rpm (basically as you finish the run, and make way back to pits, generally by the time I pull up and open bonnet it’s gone) I note oil temps also drop in this time.
I don’t believe there is a lifter hardware problem, As there is no lifter tick at any other time.
Oil pressure at idle (hot) is 30psi
Oil pressure at redline is 85psi

Every skyline expert (on the internet!) swears by running a 10w-60 in an RB motor used on the track, for better bottom end protection. I’ve ran that since I did the rebuild (done 2000km so far)
The head restrictors seem weird (if unfamiliar with RB engines) but is a common mod, and been used countless times.

Stock recommended oil is 10w-40.

So the question
Do you think going to a 10w-50 or 10w-40 will solve the lifter tick?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading

Definitely try the 10w40 and see, but you could also try running BG EPR, LiquiMoly, or Lubegard engine flushes. If this is a street drivable car, substitute a qt of oil with HPL Engine Cleaner 40 or add a pint of Rislone High Mileage Engine Treatment (street only) mayne something needs cleaned up in the valvetrain that is causing it to stick and tick. Or switch to a different brand like HPL, AMSOIL Signature Series, or Redline and see if one is just quieter in general, just another thought.

 

[LeakySeals]

What type oil filter?

 

[facility1]

try running a 10w-30 ,say Valvoline vr-1 and a different oil filter, check pcv also and clean air filter.

 

[Neniod]

HI all.
I have searched but could not find a problem/issue similar to mine. Also not sure if this is posted in the correct section,

Short version- I have intermittent lifter tick after high rpm, high boost driving (it’s a drift car) which goes away quickly when driving normal( 1-3k rpm, no boost
Currently running penrite 10 10ths, 10w-60. Is my oil too thick?

Long version-
Nissan RB25det. Factory rebuild, bottom end bearing clearances at top end of factory clearance. Ring gap at top end of factory clearance. Stock oil pump. VCT oil feed stock, front feed blocked and rear 1.25mm restrictor (as recommended for RB25 with stock oil pump, used for drifting, as per SAU oil supply thread-if any one is familiar).
Extra head to sump ‘drain’ (this just helps equalise crankcase pressure with rocker cover pressure- allowing oil to drain back to sump easier)
External oil cooler, no thermostat.
Two dash 10 lines from rocker cover to vent to atmosphere catch can. Car has zero blowby-discharge into catch can.

No issues street driving, oil temps sit around 85-90. No lifter tick, even after a pull.
However, on track, with lots of high rpm/limiter and with oil temps 95-105 it will develop a lifter tick, which will go away after 2-3mins of idle/ low rpm (basically as you finish the run, and make way back to pits, generally by the time I pull up and open bonnet it’s gone) I note oil temps also drop in this time.
I don’t believe there is a lifter hardware problem, As there is no lifter tick at any other time.
Oil pressure at idle (hot) is 30psi
Oil pressure at redline is 85psi

Every skyline expert (on the internet!) swears by running a 10w-60 in an RB motor used on the track, for better bottom end protection. I’ve ran that since I did the rebuild (done 2000km so far)
The head restrictors seem weird (if unfamiliar with RB engines) but is a common mod, and been used countless times.

Stock recommended oil is 10w-40.

So the question
Do you think going to a 10w-50 or 10w-40 will solve the lifter tick?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading

Based on what you described, yes, the 10W60 is very likely contributing to the lifter tick.

Your pressures look fine, but at high oil temps and sustained RPM the 10W60 can be slow to refill the lifters, especially with head feed restrictions in place. Once you idle and temps drop, viscosity comes back into range and the noise disappears, which matches your symptoms well.

A move to 10W50 or even back to 10W40 is worth trying. On RBs with stock pumps and restrictors, too much viscosity often hurts top end oiling more than it helps the bottom end. Plenty of track RBs live long lives on 10W40 or 10W50 with proper temps and pressure.

If the tick only shows up hot, at high RPM, and never cold or on the street, it points to oil flow and viscosity, not lifter hardware. I would change oil weight before chasing anything mechanical.

 

[Hohn]

Based on what you described, yes, the 10W60 is very likely contributing to the lifter tick.

Your pressures look fine, but at high oil temps and sustained RPM the 10W60 can be slow to refill the lifters, especially with head feed restrictions in place. Once you idle and temps drop, viscosity comes back into range and the noise disappears, which matches your symptoms well.

A move to 10W50 or even back to 10W40 is worth trying. On RBs with stock pumps and restrictors, too much viscosity often hurts top end oiling more than it helps the bottom end. Plenty of track RBs live long lives on 10W40 or 10W50 with proper temps and pressure.

If the tick only shows up hot, at high RPM, and never cold or on the street, it points to oil flow and viscosity, not lifter hardware. I would change oil weight before chasing anything mechanical.

Agree with all this.

You don't need a thicker oil, you need a better oil, one that has higher HTHS without a higher KV100.

Personally, I'd strongly consider HPL Supercar 5w-50 for this application.