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Originally Posted by RagtagXMASTER
The most important characteristics though i think are with the viscosity ratings. when i was using the Liquimoly 5w-40 and 5-30 oils the oil was never the right viscosity rating when at temperature, and i feel like that is what most of the wear is occuring really. if the oil is shearing and not being protective at high temperature and medium loads, image how damaging a high heat, high load situation would do to bearing materials and other internal components.
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I agree -- seeing the viscosity under the specified range has been something I've been keeping an eye on for sure. I suppose I've been comfortable with it based on the summary/feedback given by Blackstone that it seems to be harmless. As far as thermal management, once the oil temp needle registers above the 160 dash, I always switch into my M1 program which includes Sport Plus drivetrain to run the water pump full time. Average operating temp usually tops out at ~200F as opposed to ~230F without Sport Plus. Curious to hear what temps you're seeing in Sport Plus under normal driving conditions at the higher weight oil.
My driving behavior rarely (if ever) involves
sustained high load, so the fact that I'm not seeing elevated levels of copper and lead (bearing material) suggests that the oil is appropriate at least for my driving style. If I were running a tune as you are and putting higher sustained loads on the engine, the 5W-50 would be an obvious choice I think.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RagtagXMASTER
On your report the engine looks to be doing well, but consider trying a -50 weight to up the viscosity at temperature, and you should see less wear in the engine. either liqui moly 5w-50 or redline right now seem to be doing the best on these engines for the high heat load present on the oil.
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I'm definitely still thinking about the 5W-50 after seeing the way your reports are trending -- I guess being stock and having a generally conservative driving style has kept me satisfied at the 5W-40. Not that it's anything to place a lot of weight on (no pun intended), but remembering that the factory oil weight is a 5W-30 also makes me less worried if the LM 5W-40 shears down to a 30 weight at temp, along with Blackstone's comments about the shear being harmless.
Nonetheless, you still have me questioning if I should be switching. The 5W-50 seems to be doing great at handling the higher loads with your tune, so it's safe to assume it would probably do just as well if not better on a stock car with a generally conservative driving style ~80% of the time.