Reco for Mazdaspeed3 hard normal driving and track

[fastdreams]

I drive my Mazdaspeed3 fairly hard. I also take it to track events occasionally. I've read there can be fuel dilution concerns with this engine. Is Rotella 5w40 ok for this application? That is currently in the car, but I have a track weekend coming up and am worried about that being the wrong choice.

I am thinking of trying RL 5w40.

An additional concern is a lot of Mazdaspeed3 owners have had smoking turbos, especially when installing an aftermarket downpipe. Possibly caused by turbo seals. Mine is clean so far, but the concern is there. I'm thinking heavier weight oil would be of benefit. I've read that RP has caused worse smoking for owners of this car. Would RL have a the same affect?

The car has aftermarket intake and downpipe (with cat) installed.

 

[mechtech2]

Do you have an oi temp gauge?
Max temps are what you need to know.
But right now, a full x-40 or x-50 seems very close.

 

[Solo2driver]

If you're already running a well-recommended oil, there is not much else to do but pull a Used Oil Analysis sample to ensure that the oil is doing its job, much else is just guessing and conjecture.

Love the MS3, BTW, I get to autocross one that is not mine occasionally. Power = wow!

 

[fastdreams]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Do you have an oi temp gauge?
Max temps are what you need to know.
But right now, a full x-40 or x-50 seems very close.


Unfortunately there is not an oil temp sensor on this car!

I will have to add one eventually.

What do you mean by x-40, x-50? Synthetic 40 or 50 weight?

 

[fastdreams]

Originally Posted By: Solo2driver
If you're already running a well-recommended oil, there is not much else to do but pull a Used Oil Analysis sample to ensure that the oil is doing its job, much else is just guessing and conjecture.

Love the MS3, BTW, I get to autocross one that is not mine occasionally. Power = wow!


Yeah without data it's impossible to draw a solid conclusion.

This oil is too fresh, and my immediate concern is; will Rotella 5w40 hold up to track duty this weekend? Or should I preemptively strike and replace it with something more stout?

The MS3 is a hoot. With the CAI and the downpipe it's even better. Cobb AP is on it's way and I'll be done with power mods, the front tires are already crying.

I do miss AWD.

 

[LoubaruNW]

I had my Rotella Synth 5W-40 tested last oil change. I ran it for about 1.5k street miles with 1 track day and everything looked great. This is from a slightly tuned STi (17-18psi on the stock turbo). So I wouldn't be worried about running the Rotella on the track.

 

[blackdiamond]

I say Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 or 10w-30 or get the best with RLI if you don't mind being outside of API warranty requirements.

I'm an MS3 owner myself.

 

[ryan2022]

I'm not 100% but one of things I wouldnt be worried about on the track is fuel dilutions.

I would pay close attention to your oil level, and dont overfill by more than .5 quarts. I've seen a legacy who blew massive amounts of smoke out his tailpipe after a run. Turned out he just overfilled and sloshed through the system. We thought he'd done some serious harm!

Id say either oil would definetely do the job. If your out for an extended period 10 laps + Id run the redline. Also, if youre running R compounds, Id go with whatever oil gave best oil pressures. Just my two cents.

 

[Nederlander75]

There is another poster here that tracks his Speed 3 with M1 5w30 and doesnt do too bad. From what Ive seen in my UOAs comparing to others GC seems to be a good option. For hard core tracking my bet would be the RLI or M1 TTD 5w40. I will be posting a UOA on Ams AFL Euro 5w40 in the next couple months, but that doesnt help you now.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Nederlander75
There is another poster here that tracks his Speed 3 with M1 5w30 and doesnt do too bad. From what Ive seen in my UOAs comparing to others GC seems to be a good option. For hard core tracking my bet would be the RLI or M1 TTD 5w40. I will be posting a UOA on Ams AFL Euro 5w40 in the next couple months, but that doesnt help you now.


That would be me. I think any of the oils you mentioned are good oils for this application. I will note that my bone stock 26K mile MS3 recently started smoking after 3-4 minutes of idling. Another turbo with blown seals, of course. At 25K the car needed a new LF strut. I haven't decided for certain, but I'm probably going to flip the sled the first chance I get.

 

[Solo2driver]

We have destroyed several sets of stock struts under warranty, as well as the Koni Sport (single-adjustable) and new Koni FSD. I do prefer the FSD of those three, but they all were damaged by the car's design...bad engine mounts (last about 5K miles, even in the non-turbo) were to blame so I have been told.

I have not tried the Bilsteins though, and generally I am marching in the front of the Bilstein parade Maybe that is the solution?

 

[Michael Polutta]

Not related to oil...

Check this link for a urethane motor mount. May help with the strut issue mentioned.

http://www.awrracing.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=309

 

[Nickdfresh]

Any of the recommendations here would suffice. But I'd also consider the old BITOG standard of 0W-30 Castrol SYNTEC, or Mobil1 0W-40...

 

[Solo2driver]

Originally Posted By: Michael Polutta
Not related to oil...

Check this link for a urethane motor mount. May help with the strut issue mentioned.

http://www.awrracing.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=309


Tony makes good stuff, he did a lot of custom suspension work on my RX-7 GTUs. That's a pretty killer price, too. Mazda does sell them super-cheap for the stock one, though, because they get replaced fairly often

 

[BTLew81]

I'm REALLY thinking of getting the AWR mount, or the Street Unit piece, and I only have a regular 3. The stock mounts stink.

 

[BTLew81]

I'm REALLY thinking of getting the AWR mount, or the Street Unit piece, and I only have a regular 3. The stock mounts stink.