Suggested oil for supercharged 5.0L

[stangyellow]

My 90LX Mustang has a Vortech s/c @ 10lbs, 306, low compression, etc, yada yada. The engine builder suggested running 20W50, so Ive always run the Valvoline 20w50 VR1 oil. The car is not babied, thats not what it was built for. Question is, should i stick with this oil, or maybe a full syn? I'm partial to Pennzoil synthetics as I run them in my f150 and other Mustang.

 

[addyguy]

Redline 5W-30 is what you need - it's built for this service.

 

[qdeezie]

Maybe a 5w-50 oil would work as well.

 

[Klutch9]

For the sake of availability, I would also consider M1 0w-40 or 15w-50.

 

[LoneRanger]

M1 15W50

 

[OVERKILL]

5w40 should be fine. What's it making for power?

 

[Radman]

Your engine builder gave you good advice. High output engines shear oil faster than you would believe. I would use Castrol GTX 20W50 and change it at 3K, or after a day at the strip. I built a Chevy small block to 388 with a roller valve train on N2O. Five runs down the 1/4 would shear any 10W40 oil to the viscosity of water. I found plain old Castrol to be cost effective over higher priced syns for the short duration it was in service.

 

[Robenstein]

Castrol GTX is not the oil it used to be as shown by the PQIA VOA's. If you are looking for a cheap and cost effective 20w50 that is loaded with enough zddp, look at the 20w50 Kendall GT1. I find it to be over a buck cheaper per quart around here and in the UOA's I have seen of it, it protects just as well. It has only a slightly lower TBN than VR1, but has alot of zinc. Another option would be of course a 15w40 HDEO like Rotella, Delvac, or Delo.

 

[OVERKILL]

Enough ZDDP for what? It's a roller valvetrain.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

5w40 should be fine.

+1

 

[semaj281]

Originally Posted By: LoneRanger

M1 15W50

Originally Posted By: Klutch9

For the sake of availability, I would also consider M1 0w-40 or 15w-50.

I want to agree with these guys.

 

[aquariuscsm]

What about Syntec 5W50 (I`m considering giving this a try after reading uoas/voas on it). Looks like it has alot of zddp and it`s tbn is REALLY high! Anyone knows where PP 5W50 is sold? It`s on Pennzoil`s website but no one has it.

 

[stangyellow]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

5w40 should be fine. What's it making for power?

With the stock 8lb pulley setup it put down 448rwhp and 426rwtq a few months after break-in. It has ported gt-40 heads, 42lb injectors, MSD distributor, 6AL box, Ford B cam, list goes on.... Its a 90lx notchback, original v8, automatic. Since swapped over to a "World Class" T5 thats still holding together with a Centerforce dual friction. The engine builder suggested that 20w50 be used because of higher engine temps, and thats what he used on all his Mustang builds. I figuerd he knows more about it than I do, so i stayed with it. I'll look into 5w50 Pennzoil..... *edit GT40X heads

 

[stangyellow]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein

Castrol GTX is not the oil it used to be as shown by the PQIA VOA's. If you are looking for a cheap and cost effective 20w50 that is loaded with enough zddp, look at the 20w50 Kendall GT1.

I used the Joe Gibbs engine oil that was loaded with ZDDP for break-in period, but thats all it was used for. I think it ran it 300 miles. As mentioned above, the engine is a roller cam setup. Not much need for high zinc protection after break in

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: stangyellow

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

5w40 should be fine. What's it making for power?

With the stock 8lb pulley setup it put down 448rwhp and 426rwtq a few months after break-in. It has ported gt-40 heads, 42lb injectors, MSD distributor, 6AL box, Ford B cam, list goes on.... Its a 90lx notchback, original v8, automatic. Since swapped over to a "World Class" T5 thats still holding together with a Centerforce dual friction. The engine builder suggested that 20w50 be used because of higher engine temps, and thats what he used on all his Mustang builds. I figuerd he knows more about it than I do, so i stayed with it. I'll look into 5w50 Pennzoil..... *edit GT40X heads

Why a "B" cam? that's a pretty antique grind Regardless, that's not too bad. Most of the guys I know run 40 and 50 weights. I personally use 40's in my 302's. The oil temperature CAN be an issue if the oil is shared with the blower. Is that the case with yours? I know vortec offers both styles; shared and self-contained. You should get yourself oil temp and oil pressure gauges. That will tell you what you need to know. I'm betting something like Delvac 1 5w40 will be MORE than enough for this application, particularly at that power level and will work a lot better at start-up temps than the 20w50. Who did your tune? I'd be more concerned about block failure and detonation than oil choice, 302's don't seem to die lube-related deaths in my experience. I've got two buddies with S-Trimmed H/C/I cars, one makes 534 to the tires, the other 525. Both have never had lube issues, 40 or 50's used, typically 5w40 or 5w50. I think Mobil 1 15w50 has been used as well.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I just ordered a case of PP 5W50 from Napa for $7 a quart. Can`t wait to try it out!

 

[chubbs1]

I really don't see a reason to change from the VR1. It is a great lube for engines in that power range. The only other oil I would care to try is M1 15w50.

 

[hardcore302]

I didn't know they still made "alphabet cams" They were the craze back in the daze.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: hardcore302

I didn't know they still made "alphabet cams" They were the craze back in the daze.

Yup, single pattern bump-sticks with lazy lobes. Much better grinds from Comp available, even the TFS cams are a million times more modern. I'm a big fan of custom grinds.

 

[mechtech2]

My question is why the builder likes the heaviest oil commonly available. Is it old school thinking? Sloppy tolerances and clearances? Because some new cars have 100+ HP more than yours stock, and some use 5-20 or 5-30. I'd ask why a 30 or even 40 is not suitable. Also remember that a thicker oil runs hotter [oil temps 10 deg or so].