Oil Recommendation for LS7 Z06 Street & Track Usage

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Jul 21, 2012
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Ohio
Hey Guys,

I am selling my S2000 with has been primarily my track toy and transitioning over to using my C6 Z06 as a track car. The Z06 has 55k miles on it, 2008 vintage and the famed LS7 motor. The car is going to be prepped for A-Street in autocross. Basically modifications will include Corsa mufflers, K&N drop-in filter, shocks, sway bar, stainless steel brake lines, and 200 treadwear tires. Pretty mild modifications.

For 2020
~5000 miles of street use
~3-4 track days
~10 autocross events

I've been using Mobil 1 5w-30 with a Mobil 1 oil filter since the car does really see any track time now. Seeing as I am going to see more abuse on it, I'd like to reconsider. Thinking a couple options here. Stick with the 5w-30 and use Redline products. Bump to Mobil 1 0w-40, should I do FS or ESP? In 2018 Chevy started to factory fill all the C7 cars with 0w-40 ESP and Mobil 1 released a bulletin that Chevy endorses the 0w-40 ESP as their "street/track" oil recommendation. The ESP has 900/990 ZDDP while FS has 1000/1100 ZDDP which makes me think its purely emissions related. Wondering if there is any other formulation differences. Next there is also the Chevy recommended 15w-50 blend for heavy track use. Don't think I will go to this as my track sessions are around ~20 minutes and not competitive.

In short...
Redline 5w-30
Mobil 1 0w-40 FS
Mobil 1 0w-40 ESP
Mobil 1 5w-30
Or.... something else?

Additionally, I am thinking to use the OEM AcDelco PF48E filter. Thoughts on this over a K&N or Mobil 1?
 
I think oil temps were around 260F on the one and only track day I took the car to. I didn't push it too hard, so I bet 280F wouldn't be far from possible if I started getting after it on some hot laps.
 
"In 2018 Chevy started to factory fill all the C7 cars with 0w-40 ESP and Mobil 1 released a bulletin that Chevy endorses the 0w-40 ESP as their "street/track" oil recommendation."

↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑ This. Chevy and Mobil 1 said so. ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
 
Sam Strano swears by Redline. Considering he probably puts more track miles on his Corvettes each year than I put street miles on mine, I'm apt to take his advice. To my knowledge, he's never lost an engine with Redline in the sump.

From Grassroots Motorsports:
Quote
One hotly debated topic is oil starvation. Some cars that are run hard tend to spin bearings and go through engines. However, based on our own experience and the experience of fellow competitors, we believe that the issue is more related to the oil used than the engine's design. We highly recommend using Red Line oil.


https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/tech-tips-2005-13-chevrolet-corvette/

He has shared his issues, specifically with Mobil 1, in numerous forums. Search around and you'll find them. Or call and ask him yourself. He's a nice and incredibly knowledgeable guy.

If you're on Facebook, he also moderates a private group for SSR drivers. There is also a private group for AS drivers. Most of the members run Corvettes. Tons of straight talk from people who win championships. My C5 is in BS, but I'm still a member of both groups since much of the info crosses over.
 
I tried a M1 15w-50 in my S2000 and generally was not impressed with it. Cold starting seemed harsher, the engine feels more labored getting to redline, and oil temps were higher than normal for a track day. Frequently getting into the 280F+ range during a 20 minute track session. I think the extra viscosity was making the engine less efficient due to windage, and reduced cooling due to lower flow rate.

I'm kinda gun-shy of going to a 15w-50 after that.

Redline 5w-30 is appealing due to the massively strong additive package, high thermal stability (low NOACK), and lower viscosity which should help with cooling and efficiency.
Mobil 1 0w-40 is appealing due to it's higher ZDDP for an SN oil, low price, and pedigree for OEM fill on many high performance cars
Pennzoil 0w-40 is the same appeal as Mobil 1, but more expensive.
 
Ended up just buying a case of Redline 5w-30
I think the base oil, lack of VII that break down at high temp, performance oriented additive package, and HTHS/Viscosity ratio. This is gonna be a winner. Max engine efficiency to keep temps low too.
 
Originally Posted by randomhero439
Ended up just buying a case of Redline 5w-30
I think the base oil, lack of VII that break down at high temp, performance oriented additive package, and HTHS/Viscosity ratio. This is gonna be a winner. Max engine efficiency to keep temps low too.



Redline hasn't shown to be a great option here with GM LS engines. I recommend M-1 0W40.
 
For track use, I would run either Redline or Motul.

Edit: just read where you bought Redline. Good choice.
smile.gif
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by randomhero439
Ended up just buying a case of Redline 5w-30
I think the base oil, lack of VII that break down at high temp, performance oriented additive package, and HTHS/Viscosity ratio. This is gonna be a winner. Max engine efficiency to keep temps low too.


01.gif
 
Originally Posted by PowerSurge
For track use, I would run either Redline or Motul.

Edit: just read where you bought Redline. Good choice.
smile.gif




https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...43373/all/Corvette_UA0_with_Redline_5w30


https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2906996

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474490

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4794681/High_Lead_Redline_5W40_thought


Not me. Even when the report is not bad the Redline results are not 200-300% better. What justification does this recommendation come because of marketing?
 
Originally Posted by dave1251
Originally Posted by PowerSurge
For track use, I would run either Redline or Motul.

Edit: just read where you bought Redline. Good choice.
smile.gif




https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...43373/all/Corvette_UA0_with_Redline_5w30


https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2906996

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474490

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4794681/High_Lead_Redline_5W40_thought


Not me. Even when the report is not bad the Redline results are not 200-300% better. What justification does this recommendation come because of marketing?


Extended OIC's are a mistake for a road car that is also used as a track car. I used to track a 2001 Corvette and the oil was changed after every two track days. Never had a problem and sold the car to a guy that continued to not only track the car but used it as a daily driver. He continued to use redline and change it after two track days. Last I heard several years ago the car was still running and driving fine.

One of the links you provided was a car that had nearly 200,000 (owner says car is driven "VERY HARD") and 5800 miles on the first run of redline oil. See below about surface oxides.

The lead levels on the Corvette's engine was not high for a car that is tracked. The owner then changed from 5w-30 Redline to 0w-40 M1 after having the heads replaced. You really can't compare the two since they aren't the same viscosity, and the engine had major work done to it. It would be interesting to see what the OA would look like after a few oil changes with Redline 0w-40 compared to the M1.

Another link you provided stated that the M3 oil was changed after 8-9 track days. He stated his aluminum wear was higher than normal. That is normal for a vehicle that is tracked. That's why it's best to the change the oil more often in a car that is tracked. Also, switching to a different brand of oil can lead to false readings of increased wear metals that is only surface oxides. These usually diminish after a few oil change cycles with the new brand of oil. If the wear numbers do not diminish after 3-5 oil changes then there is a problem.

I would suggest researching the difference between surface oxides and wear metals when pertaining to UOA. They are not the same.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by PowerSurge
Originally Posted by dave1251
Originally Posted by PowerSurge
For track use, I would run either Redline or Motul.

Edit: just read where you bought Redline. Good choice.
smile.gif




https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...43373/all/Corvette_UA0_with_Redline_5w30


https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2906996

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474490

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4794681/High_Lead_Redline_5W40_thought


Not me. Even when the report is not bad the Redline results are not 200-300% better. What justification does this recommendation come because of marketing?


Extended OIC's are a mistake for a road car that is also used as a track car. I used to track a 2001 Corvette and the oil was changed after every two track days. Never had a problem and sold the car to a guy that continued to not only track the car but used it as a daily driver. He continued to use redline and change it after two track days. Last I heard several years ago the car was still running and driving fine.

One of the links you provided was a car that had nearly 200,000 (owner says car is driven "VERY HARD") and 5800 miles on the first run of redline oil. See below about surface oxides.

The lead levels on the Corvette's engine was not high for a car that is tracked. The owner then changed from 5w-30 Redline to 0w-40 M1 after having the heads replaced. You really can't compare the two since they aren't the same viscosity, and the engine had major work done to it. It would be interesting to see what the OA would look like after a few oil changes with Redline 0w-40 compared to the M1.

Another link you provided stated that the M3 oil was changed after 8-9 track days. He stated his aluminum wear was higher than normal. That is normal for a vehicle that is tracked. That's why it's best to the change the oil more often in a car that is tracked. Also, switching to a different brand of oil can lead to false readings of increased wear metals that is only surface oxides. These usually diminish after a few oil change cycles with the new brand of oil. If the wear numbers do not diminish after 3-5 oil changes then there is a problem.

I would suggest researching the difference between surface oxides and wear metals when pertaining to UOA. They are not the same.






I suggest basing recommendations on performance because Redline doesn't out perform any quality synthetic even in track use which is supposed to be it's niche. All you stated in mutiple paragraphs is a bunch of information why the UOA looks bad. There are UOA's with the examples with other brands driven in the same engine with the same duty cycle and the lube preformed just as well or better than Redline.

Add you if it's such a short OCI why spend 2-3 times the cost on a product which doesn't protect any better?

The recommendation to use Redline just doesn't make sense.
 
Originally Posted by dave1251
Originally Posted by PowerSurge
Originally Posted by dave1251
Originally Posted by PowerSurge
For track use, I would run either Redline or Motul.

Edit: just read where you bought Redline. Good choice.
smile.gif




https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...43373/all/Corvette_UA0_with_Redline_5w30


https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2906996

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474490

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/4794681/High_Lead_Redline_5W40_thought


Not me. Even when the report is not bad the Redline results are not 200-300% better. What justification does this recommendation come because of marketing?


Extended OIC's are a mistake for a road car that is also used as a track car. I used to track a 2001 Corvette and the oil was changed after every two track days. Never had a problem and sold the car to a guy that continued to not only track the car but used it as a daily driver. He continued to use redline and change it after two track days. Last I heard several years ago the car was still running and driving fine.

One of the links you provided was a car that had nearly 200,000 (owner says car is driven "VERY HARD") and 5800 miles on the first run of redline oil. See below about surface oxides.

The lead levels on the Corvette's engine was not high for a car that is tracked. The owner then changed from 5w-30 Redline to 0w-40 M1 after having the heads replaced. You really can't compare the two since they aren't the same viscosity, and the engine had major work done to it. It would be interesting to see what the OA would look like after a few oil changes with Redline 0w-40 compared to the M1.

Another link you provided stated that the M3 oil was changed after 8-9 track days. He stated his aluminum wear was higher than normal. That is normal for a vehicle that is tracked. That's why it's best to the change the oil more often in a car that is tracked. Also, switching to a different brand of oil can lead to false readings of increased wear metals that is only surface oxides. These usually diminish after a few oil change cycles with the new brand of oil. If the wear numbers do not diminish after 3-5 oil changes then there is a problem.

I would suggest researching the difference between surface oxides and wear metals when pertaining to UOA. They are not the same.






I suggest basing recommendations on performance because Redline doesn't out perform any quality synthetic even in track use which is supposed to be it's niche. All you stated in mutiple paragraphs is a bunch of information why the UOA looks bad. There are UOA's with the examples with other brands driven in the same engine with the same duty cycle and the lube preformed just as well or better than Redline.

Add you if it's such a short OCI why spend 2-3 times the cost on a product which doesn't protect any better?

The recommendation to use Redline just doesn't make sense.


Many people that track their vehicles use Redline because it resists oxidation under abusive conditions better than synthetics like M1. I personally run Motul now because I have noticed it resists burn-off better than M1 or PUP, and even slightly better than Redline in my Mustang. It's OA results have been excellent with Motul. I do agree though for the average person running a daily driver where the engine rarely, if ever, sees abuse such as in track conditions that it's more economical to run the synthetics like M1 or TGMO (even better).
 
Last edited:
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