Fronzizzle

After I break my engine in, I'm not sure what oil to put in it. I did a bunch of searching on this site, it sounds like the Valvoline 20W-50 synthetic is pretty highly recommended.

My car is more of a "weekend warrior", not a daily driver and won't be driven at all in the winter. It has a 383 stroker in it with a roller cam.

I noticed that in the description for the oil, it says multiple times that its for "racing only". Not sure why I couldn't run it on the street, just thought I'd try to get some more opinions before purchasing. Thanks.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

It could work but i think that oil has fewer detergents in it compared to street oils. No big deal just change it more often.

Its really a heavy oil for looser bearing clearances. If you have a fresh motor with tight clearances you will be better off just using a good 30 weight oil

Ranchopower

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Arti..._slippery.aspx

Ranchopower

I am using 5W20 racing oil in my street car, I use the AMSOIL brand.
I have tight clearences in my 351W


Javier

Zaar

its too heavy for your tolerances go lighter. first time it gets somewhat cold its gonna look like damn left over grease in a skillet lol!

Fronzizzle

So maybe the Valvoline 10w-30 VR1?

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

10W - 30 Sounds like a much better choice of weights. The 20W - 50 is OK in an older engine for hotter summer use.

ASE doc

What were your oil clearances set at by the machinist? Factory clearances are generally about .0015 with a fair amount of variance. If your engine was machined to OE specs it's probably about .0015 -.002 which is more for 30 weight or 10w-40. Race engines are generally set at .0025 for 40 weight or 20 w50. The issue with running too heavy oil is that not enough oil moves through the bearings to keep them cool. That and the valve train will starve for oil on every cold start.

I run 15w 50 Mobil 1 in my motor which was machined to .0025 (+/- .0001).

Edwardgp

Whats wrong with 5w30.

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

5W30 is another good choice especially if you will be running it in the colder weather like the northern states generally have during winter.

Fronzizzle

I don't remember the specs off of the top of my head, I'll have to see if I can dig up the build sheet.

I'm in Michigan, but the car won't be driven in the winter. Just from spring to fall, probably not in temperatures below 50 F.

ASE doc

You could try the 20w50. Just watch your oil pressure on cold start and listen to your valve train. You'll know it's too thick if the pressure spikes to 80 psi and the valves take a while to quiet down.