Subaru Covering Oil Bases

[brandini]

Hey guys, I wanted to ask for some recommendations. I am working with a local company that sells Subaru performance parts and wanted to help them expand their Amsoil sales. I copied down all model data from the Amsoil application guide and wanted to create 3-4 choices for oils depending on use etc.

Some forenotes:
Based on TSB, (http://store.forcedperformance.net/merchant2/graphics/subaru_oil/02-103-07.pdf) all turbo subarus should go no longer than 3,750 miles because of this screen they put in the turbo oil feed line. I don't know if it affects newer models and will be using a dealer connection to try and find out.

My proposed packages:
If you fall into 1 category in a higher level, use that level!
Everyday Level: 5w30 XL
All stock turbo cars daily driven use factory intervals 4k/4month
All stock non-turbo cars daily driven use 10k/6month intervals
All Autox-ed cars use 4k/4month
*Not recommended for track use*

Sport level: 5w30 Signature Series
For users of above that may have a bit of a lead foot.
Turbo cars, modded cars with bolt-ons, stock turbo, autox use 4k/4month intervals
Non-turbo, modded cars with bolt-ons, stock internals, autox use 7.5k/12month intervals
Recommended for frequent autocrossers/occasional track with stock cars at 4k/4month intervals

Enthusiast Level: 5W-40 Euro then 10W-40 XL
Non-stock cars with upgraded turbo, upgraded internals, built motors use 5W-40 at 4k/4month intervals
Recommended for track use when oil pressure/temp gauges are in use at 4k/4month intervals
10W-40 will hold up better to track use and high temperatures, use oil pressure gauges to determine proper grade needed if 5W-40 is too thin
10W-40 is not recommended for daily driven cars in cold climates

Recommended filters will be Wix due to the shorter drain. Oversized Wix (1" longer) will be recommended for sport and above.

Did I overlap any? Do I have any holes? Are my recommendations kosher for Subaru enthusiasts?

Thanks for any input!

 

[INDYMAC]

I suggest that you run your recommendations by AMSOIL instead of BITOG.

 

[ottotheclown]

 

[brandini]

I have, I'm just looking for more than just their recommendation.

 

[gathermewool]

Those numbers look like good, conservative, CYA numbers. I'd add a disclaimer that you as a distributor highly recommend those with turbo Subies who track or abuse their cars to send out at least a couple of samples if they'd like to stray from the recommended OCI.

I haven't received a clear, yes or no answer from any one as to whether the newer turbo Subies have the oil feed banjo filter screen. Please post up if you find out.

 

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted By: brandini
...................Recommended filters will be Wix due to the shorter drain. Oversized Wix (1" longer) will be recommended for sport and above........


Wix filters do not have the 23psi bypass that the Subaru OE filters do.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: INDYMAC
I suggest that you run your recommendations by AMSOIL instead of BITOG.


Or Subaru.

 

[Xstang]

Hmmm, mesh screen in the banjo bolt? Will have to look at that one-I've always replaced my PCV valve at 30k, along with every single fluid, but I'll have to look into that one.

Anyways, the general rule is that unless your turbo subaru is strictly a DD/grocery getter,or you live in a place with [censored] winters, is to not use an 'energy conserving' oil-that is, the 5w-40 oils are normally the best pick, or anything with an ACEA A3 rating. The shearing characteristics of a euro/HDEO oil will do a much better job of protecting the engine.

The two filters I like are the purolator pure one (PL14460) and K&N (1005, I think...). I honestly don't know if either meet the bypass rating.

Question-what does amsoil 5w-40 euro got for anyway?

 

[bluesubie]

Matt - I thought Subaru did away with the screens a few years ago. ??

Regardless, the OCI for the 2011 Forester and all 2011 turbos is 7,500 miles. I post the memo later. Maybe throw in Dominator 10w30 for track use and limited street use based on uoa? Or is that too much of a liability?

-Dennis

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: Xstang


The two filters I like are the purolator pure one (PL14460) and K&N (1005, I think...). I honestly don't know if either meet the bypass rating.


Not sure about the K&N, but the Purolator has the closest bypass setting to OEM at 18 psid, IIRC. I personally only use OEM for the high bypass rating, but would switch in a heart beat if some one could prove that a lower bypass setting was perfectly acceptable.

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Matt - I thought Subaru did away with the screens a few years ago. ??

Regardless, the OCI for the 2011 Forester and all 2011 turbos is 7,500 miles. I post the memo later. Maybe throw in Dominator 10w30 for track use and limited street use based on uoa? Or is that too much of a liability?

-Dennis


I thought they did away with them for either the 07MY or 08MY, but none of these owners have verified by posting pics or something in black an white. I'd take mine off, but would rather not for fear of cross-threading the [censored] bolt for no reason if it doesn't need to be replaced. Besides, the issue stemmed from turbo Subie owners running the normal-service interval of 7500 miles using bulk oil from their oil change place of choice.

I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that if you use quality oil and change it before it's begun to degrade to the point where sludge and solids form, attach and detach from internal surfaces, then you've got nothing to worry about, regardless of whether there's a screen there or not.

 

[brandini]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Matt - I thought Subaru did away with the screens a few years ago. ??

Regardless, the OCI for the 2011 Forester and all 2011 turbos is 7,500 miles. I post the memo later. Maybe throw in Dominator 10w30 for track use and limited street use based on uoa? Or is that too much of a liability?

-Dennis

Yea the manuals say GF-4 or SM so I was sticking with that at the very least since it'd cover any requirements the mfr knew about and would cover butts for extended warranty purposes.

I haven't heard back from Amsoil yet... wonder what the holdup is?

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: brandini
Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Matt - I thought Subaru did away with the screens a few years ago. ??

Regardless, the OCI for the 2011 Forester and all 2011 turbos is 7,500 miles. I post the memo later. Maybe throw in Dominator 10w30 for track use and limited street use based on uoa? Or is that too much of a liability?

-Dennis

Yea the manuals say GF-4 or SM so I was sticking with that at the very least since it'd cover any requirements the mfr knew about and would cover butts for extended warranty purposes.

I haven't heard back from Amsoil yet... wonder what the holdup is?


What did you specifically ask?

 

[bluesubie]

Whether or not Subaru changed the design of the oil screen, that the OP is referring to, that prompted Amsoil to recommend 3,750 mile service for all turbo Subaru's. Even though it only referred to a few specific MY 2.5's.

-Dennis

 

[09rexwagon]

Previously (before MY06 WRX/STI) there was a screen in both the the inlet AND outlet banjo bolts. There was 2 issues 1) the screens clogging with debris and 2) the screens getting pushed into the block (on the inlets) and going into the AVCS solenoid and FUBAR.

Since then the screens have been removed from the AVCS inlets since on an inlet, the oil pressure tends to want to push it into the block.

There are still 2 left at the outlets. On the turbo 2.5L, there is one right below the inlet to the turbo compressor which feeds the turbo. This is a) the more important one and b) the only one you can get to without doing a timing belt job

.

The other one is on the driver side bank BEHIND the rear timing cover meaning do this one when you do a timing belt and cam oil seal job since it is a really PITA to get to.

The clogging issue *can* still be considered a problem, but if you use a good oil and a good filter, you are probably fine for a long time.

 

[steve20]

seema like you are complicating the oil recommendations more than anything else

 

[bluesubie]

I guess the easy way out is just to stick to the intervals that the OP suggested. Even though that TSB and Amsoil's recommendation doesn't really apply to all Subaru turbos. How's that?

-Dennis

 

[brandini]

I figure it's easy, step it up for turbo and step it up for racing and mods. In an enthusiast parts sales company that's typically all the thinking you'd have to do anyway.

 

[subiedriver]

The manual in my '04 Subie indicates that I can use any weight from 5w30 to 10w-50. Heavier weights are preferred in hot weather. I've got Mobil 1 0w-40 in the car now.

 

[brandini]

And that's why I have the stepping up in quality and weights, since most people just drive their car, and for those that push it (push it real good) should think about better protection to deal with increased load on the engine.