Hello folks. I'm a newb, first post. I drive a 2005 GTO with a modded LS2. Are there oils that offer better resistance to friction resulting in more HP? The car gets driven 4-5k a year with about 15-20 passes down the quarter mile. I have been running Mobil 1 5w30 since new. This last change I went to PP. It was $2.00 less a quart. What would you recommend. BTW this is a great site.
Synthetic and Horsepower
- Thread starter ToddO
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No to inconclusive. Maybe in theory at cooler running temps a synthetic oil will allow the oil pump to turn easier.
I recommend the viscosity called for by the manufacturer which is 5w30. You could research and find the 5w30 with the thinnest operating viscosity, but there are so many other ways to buy true HP gains.
In MI you could use a 0w30 for faster flow at start up, but this won't buy you any horsepower when warm.
I recommend the viscosity called for by the manufacturer which is 5w30. You could research and find the 5w30 with the thinnest operating viscosity, but there are so many other ways to buy true HP gains.
In MI you could use a 0w30 for faster flow at start up, but this won't buy you any horsepower when warm.
Patman
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Welcome to BITOG Todd! You could probably squeeze a bit more power out of it if you went to a 5w20 oil, but I don't think that would be a very wise move with a modified LS2. You'll probably be best to stick with Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, which is on the thinner side of the 30 weight range anyhow, so it should offer you a bit more power compared to one of the thicker 30 weights.
But keep in mind that the difference in horsepower if you went to the 5w20 might only be about 1 or 2, and is it really worth it to possibly sacrifice some protection? The LS2, much like my LS1, will run some pretty high oil temps when pushed hard for long periods of time. So having a thinner oil in there isn't really the way to go.
But keep in mind that the difference in horsepower if you went to the 5w20 might only be about 1 or 2, and is it really worth it to possibly sacrifice some protection? The LS2, much like my LS1, will run some pretty high oil temps when pushed hard for long periods of time. So having a thinner oil in there isn't really the way to go.
Yes. Its called 5W-20 or 0w20. Torco SR-1 5W-20 is pretty thin at 7.37 cSt @ 100*C.
Right off the top of my head the thinnest 5w30 (9.30-12.49 cSt @ 100*C) Conventional is the new Havoline Deposit Shield (9.7) and the thinnest commonly available "Synthetic" is Castrol Syntec 5w30 (9.7).
If you want to run a 5W-20 that has comparable HT/HS (HighTemp/HighShear @ 150*C) numbers to your current 5w30 and has lots of Moly there is always RedLine 5W-20 (9.1 cSt).
Right off the top of my head the thinnest 5w30 (9.30-12.49 cSt @ 100*C) Conventional is the new Havoline Deposit Shield (9.7) and the thinnest commonly available "Synthetic" is Castrol Syntec 5w30 (9.7).
If you want to run a 5W-20 that has comparable HT/HS (HighTemp/HighShear @ 150*C) numbers to your current 5w30 and has lots of Moly there is always RedLine 5W-20 (9.1 cSt).
But I thought synthenic oils were supposed to foam less than conventional oils so more of it stays in liquid form thus doing its job better at higher rpms?
Foaming has more to do with the anti-foaming additives used.
Quite a few magazine tests claim to have found around 5% increase in HP when switching engine, transmission and drive axle from conventional oil to synthetic. Here is one example of such a test using Royal Purple:
http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/0606st_1996_chevrolet_c3500_oil_change/index.html
Unlike some of the other tests I've seen online, this one doesn't rely on changing to thinner viscosity grade fluids.
I have no idea if there are substantial differences between brands of synthetic oils visa-vis power and/or economy improvements.
http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/0606st_1996_chevrolet_c3500_oil_change/index.html
Unlike some of the other tests I've seen online, this one doesn't rely on changing to thinner viscosity grade fluids.
I have no idea if there are substantial differences between brands of synthetic oils visa-vis power and/or economy improvements.
Note that if you want the advantages of synthetic lubricants, you really should do the entire driveline, not just the motor oil. Or is it engine oil .... ah, that is another debate all together
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One thing you have to keep in mind when comparing oils vs Hp is making sure you're comparing the same viscosity and HT/HS something Joe Gibb's failed to do in that test.
RP shears and that could be how they achieve higher Hp numbers. RL won't shear and won't make an oil shear for more Hp bc you can sacrifice protection under extreme operating conditions if the viscosity is not maintained. It's a trade off as you sacrifice some engine wear (sometimes) for more Hp.
RP shears and that could be how they achieve higher Hp numbers. RL won't shear and won't make an oil shear for more Hp bc you can sacrifice protection under extreme operating conditions if the viscosity is not maintained. It's a trade off as you sacrifice some engine wear (sometimes) for more Hp.
Synthetic of the same viscosity as what you are using is not going to make any difference.
An old racers trick is to put very thin oil in the engine for a couple of horsepower increase, but obviuosly, oikl thinner than manufacturers spec compromising engine longevity.
An old racers trick is to put very thin oil in the engine for a couple of horsepower increase, but obviuosly, oikl thinner than manufacturers spec compromising engine longevity.
Reducing vehicle friction will probably have more impact than changing oil. Thin oil might help, though.
shed excess weight - spare tire, floor mats, tools, glove compartment door plate, windshield washer fluid, excess gasoline in tank, driver body fat, etc.
reduce drag - good tire pressure, slick hubcaps, cover wheel wells, undercarriage. etc.
shed excess weight - spare tire, floor mats, tools, glove compartment door plate, windshield washer fluid, excess gasoline in tank, driver body fat, etc.
reduce drag - good tire pressure, slick hubcaps, cover wheel wells, undercarriage. etc.
Well, with all due credit to those who have posted, I had a fellow who blueprints B&S small engines tell me that when he went from the non-synthetic he was usually using to AMSOIL Series 2000 0W-30, he gained 3 hp (that would be from 8 to 11).
Had another fellow have me send a case of AMSOIL Series 2000 to his engine builder, and report was that there was a noticeable gain in horsepower on the dyno.
But, what do I know?
Had another fellow have me send a case of AMSOIL Series 2000 to his engine builder, and report was that there was a noticeable gain in horsepower on the dyno.
But, what do I know?
All due respect, your testimony is hearsay. Not doubting you are repeating what you were told.
FYI, I do not believe that synthetic base stocks create more horsepower all other things being equal. It doesn't mean that there aren't some advantages to synthetic but if the viscosity's are the same at equal operating and that viscosity is adequate for lubrication and they are both properly formulated there will be no measurable difference from an engine oil. Now if you want to do dyno runs you also have to account for driveline fluid temperatures too since lower temperatures and thus increased viscosity's will rob HP. A slight increase may be measurable if all drive line fluids are changes. But I am not a believer in the motor oil for power school.
I think synthetic adds a little more HP. I was using Q advanced in my car last oil change, switched over to havoline this change, and I noticed my car takes a little longer to get up to speed. When I switched out the conventional transmission fluid to M1 I noticed no difference, nor was the ride/shifting any smoother.
The advantage with Synthetic is the Viscosity index. During the first 15-20 minutes of driving a synthetic with a higher viscosity index will be thinner providing more available power and better fuel economy in this phase. The same can be accomplished by using a lower viscosity conventional oil if all your trips are shorter than 20 minutes. Once up to operating temperature on oils with the same viscosity the only difference isif the vehicle is pushedhard and the engine experiences boundary lubrication.. at this point the lubricant with the lowest friction boundary protection will produce an advantage. Of course if you are in the boundary layer often enough you are going to have issues.
" All due respect, your testimony is hearsay. Not doubting you are repeating what you were told. "
I don't see you providing any data to back up your positions either. Do you have dyno runs demonstrating your opinion that no synthetic oil provides a power advantage over a similar viscosity conventional oil?
Mike Finnegan's test in Sport Truck seems pretty well documented to me. Certainly he provided more data than anyone on this thread has.
I don't see you providing any data to back up your positions either. Do you have dyno runs demonstrating your opinion that no synthetic oil provides a power advantage over a similar viscosity conventional oil?
Mike Finnegan's test in Sport Truck seems pretty well documented to me. Certainly he provided more data than anyone on this thread has.
I seem to recall reading a few articles over the years in various automotive magazines that utilized dyno's to see if syn provided any hp advantage. Although I do not recall any specific results I do remeber that syn did provide a slight advantage in terms of hp. About a year ago a show called "Top Dead Center" tested conventional and syn oil in a Harley and used thermal imaging technology to determin if syn reduced temps in a Harley air cooled engine. The advantage was approximately 10 degrees if I remember correctly. Royal Purple was the syn used I believe. Again, I recall no specifics but seem to remeber that a small advantage was realized with syn.
TORCO SR-5 synthetic claims to increase horsepower from 1-3%
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