Thicker oil makes more HP?

[Pablo]

I see. You are an “authority” on all things oil and performance engine technology. Even more so than Keith Dorton. You could be making a cool million a year with a career change!

Wow. I certainly am not. Why are you taking this and most things I post so personally? Nothing I posted was directed at your skill or knowledge level.

I am CURIOUS. I didn't make any claims. Someone made a claim and some proof would be nice.

 

[AEHaas]

Lubrication, Tribology & Motorsport
R.I. Taylor, Shell Global Solutions (UK), Cheshire Innovation Park, PO Box 1, Chester, CH1 3SH, UK

Data showing increased power loss in F1 engines related to thicker viscosity oils:

 

[PontiacHO]

Wow. I certainly am not. Why are you taking this and most things I post so personally? Nothing I posted was directed at your skill or knowledge level.

I am CURIOUS. I didn't make any claims. Someone made a claim and some proof would be nice.

Monitoring NASCAR practice sessions with headsets and listening to the crew chiefs keeping tabs on oil pressure and stating the “thin oil” will create lower pressure readings than race day oil pressures. Not sure that’s the “proof” you need but I’ve heard the discussions more than once…

 

[dumkid]

Lubrication, Tribology & Motorsport
R.I. Taylor, Shell Global Solutions (UK), Cheshire Innovation Park, PO Box 1, Chester, CH1 3SH, UK

Data showing increased power loss in F1 engines related to thicker viscosity oils:
View attachment 213961

400w isn't that big of a loss for your average street vehicle where you have more power than you normally need

 

[kschachn]

400w isn't that big of a loss for your average street vehicle where you have more power than you normally need

Approximately 0.5 horsepower. And that’s going to a 50-grade.

 

[dumkid]

Approximately 0.5 horsepower. And that’s going to a 50-grade.

And the thicker oil will probably help timing chains and cams last longer? I think that's a fair trade.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Higher oil pressure results in more parasitic BHP losses.

Ali

If you do a hydraulic pumping HP loss calculation, the required HP difference due to viscosity is very small, like a few tenths of a HP at very high pump flow like seen at redline RPM.

 

[Pablo]

Monitoring NASCAR practice sessions with headsets and listening to the crew chiefs keeping tabs on oil pressure and stating the “thin oil” will create lower pressure readings than race day oil pressures. Not sure that’s the “proof” you need but I’ve heard the discussions more than once…

Interesting. Thanks!

I am sorry for so being so darn curious. Do you know what ideal oil temperatures for these cars are?

 

[RDY4WAR]

Interesting. Thanks!

I am sorry for so being so darn curious. Do you know what ideal oil temperatures for these cars are?

My data is from a summer race at Daytona. Qualifying is 230-250°F. Race day it's 280-300°F with oil temp at bearing exit at ~360°F.

 

[ka9mnx]

Hmm. I thought NASCAR ruled, years ago, they had to use the same oil during the race that they qualified on?

I've gone from 0w-20 to 5w-40 oil and the difference in MPG is in the noise.