Turbo Acura Integra - 15w 50??

[Tucker8235]

Hi,
I recently bought an Acura Integra that has had a turbo added. The tuner that installed it said to run synthetic 15w 50 oil. I then read this article Ferrarichat board Oil 101
which makes me think I should run something thinner like 10w30. The car has all stock internals and is running a water cooled Garret GT281.
Does anyone have any input on the matter?
Thank you.

 

[Jaymus]

I'd go with synthetic xW-30 or 40.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Too thick for that engine. Try a 5W/10W-30.

 

[glennc]

It has seemed to me that, although AEHaas makes some excellent points in his articles, there is a fatal flaw in his thinner oil = more flow logic, which is that oil pumps are normally of a positive displacement variety. So flow depends on rpm, and viscosity is irrelevant.

On the other hand there are serious disadvantages to heavier oil during engine warm-up, and also to heavier-than-needed oil at any time. My preference would be to run the thinnest oil with the highest HTHS you can find in any unique application like this. More importantly, spend a little on used oil analysis to find out what works. It probably wouldn't hurt to run a baseline OCI/UOA with what the tuner suggests for comparison purposes. I wouldn't rule out conventionals, either.

 

[Audi Junkie]

What are the oil temps? Far above +200f, you need a 5w-40 Synthetic HD. Above +225f would be the cut-off for a 50 weight being needed. If your oil temps seem normal, Mobil 1 0w-40 or German Syntec 0w30 would be about right, a light 40-ish synth. 5w-40 HD is likely all you need. On hevaily modded cars, a used oil analysis is a must-do and an oil temps guage is a total necessity.

 

[ThirdeYe]

I don't see why he would need a 5W-40 when it's a water cooled turbo. It's not oil cooled. These engines are specified for 5w30/10W-30 and it works great in these engines.

 

[glennc]

Turbo can result in much higher combustion forces at a given rpm, leading to much higher pressures in bearings, wrist pins, and between piston rings and cylinder walls. Consequently a higher grade might be helpful, though whether it will be in any given case I wouldn't know.

 

[Jaymus]

Where did it say the turbo is water cooled?

 

[Saab9-3]

"which makes me think I should run something thinner like 10w30. The car has all stock internals and is running a water cooled Garret GT281.
Does anyone have any input on the matter?
Thank you. "

 

[Tucker8235]

Wow! Lots of input. Thanks guys.
I don't have an oil temp gauge yet. I will do some reading up on used oil analysis.

Is there any general rule of thumb of NA cars vs. forced induction?

It seems like guys with high HP turbo setups are always trying to have higher oil pressure by running thicker oil.

Hello fellow teggy owner ThirdeYe

 

[Mau]

Try Pennzoil Platinum 5w30.

Run it in our RDX (turbo as well) and feels like a well deserved oil and should be fine with your turbo application.

How much boost are you running on?

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: Tucker8235
Wow! Lots of input. Thanks guys.
I don't have an oil temp gauge yet. I will do some reading up on used oil analysis.

Is there any general rule of thumb of NA cars vs. forced induction?

It seems like guys with high HP turbo setups are always trying to have higher oil pressure by running thicker oil.

Hello fellow teggy owner ThirdeYe

Nice to meet you! If you have any other Integra questions that I might be able to answer feel free to send me a PM. I'll do my best to help out in that aspect. Unfortunately, turbos aren't my expertise. My car is completely stock as I don't like to mess with what I consider perfection.

I'm sure your Integra will give you a long reliable life. Happy driving!

 

[Tucker8235]

Originally Posted By: Mau
Try Pennzoil Platinum 5w30.

Run it in our RDX (turbo as well) and feels like a well deserved oil and should be fine with your turbo application.

How much boost are you running on?


Thanks - What is PP? It is running 9psi of boost.

 

[Max_Wander]

water cooled or not, ALL turbos have oil running through them

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: Tucker8235
Originally Posted By: Mau
Try Pennzoil Platinum 5w30.

Run it in our RDX (turbo as well) and feels like a well deserved oil and should be fine with your turbo application.

How much boost are you running on?


Thanks - What is PP? It is running 9psi of boost.


Pennzoil Platinum

 

[BuickGN]

A ball bearing turbo has signifigantly less oil running through it than a journal type which is why the need for water cooling exists. Not sure if the one in question is a ball bearing or not.

Either way, I would step up a grade from stock due to the extra load and heat. Even if no oil flowed through the turbo, the turbo motor would heat the oil more due to the extra power.

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: BuickGN
Either way, I would step up a grade from stock due to the extra load and heat.

I agree, unless you're going with something GC, Amsoil or Redline. Although a 40 grade would probably make me sleep better.

-Dennis

 

[hooligan24]

I would think redline 10w30 or 10w40 would work well in this application. I use the 10w40 when I am at the track/roadcourse, and I see 240F degree oil temps on the track. daily driving, I have been using the 10w30 and see a cruising temp of 195f. this is in a 2.4L turbo

 

[firemachine69]

When GM made their super-build, 800hp, 9-second Ecotec-powered Cobalt, they used 5w30.

Their 400hp 2.2L Ecotec build-guide states using 5w30.


I dunno about you, but I think they're on to something!

 

[OVERKILL]

Turbo diesel trucks use 5w40 or 15w40, I think they are on to something too

Remember, VW specs 5w40 for the TDI.........

I'd recommend a turbo diesel truck oil.... But that's just me.

I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about Delvac 1.