Need to clarify.. OIL QUESTION!

[FRZ951]

Hi guys, i'm back! First of all, I need to say my Turbo is 305RWHP and 350RWTorque. Maybe usefull for the next question..

I ask myself since I read different posts on which oil is better for a 944 Turbo..

Well.. I kept the 2 answers that was the most recurrent.

Some of people are using 15w50 or 0w40, all those 2 from Mobil 1.

Personally I'm using 15w50 but the oil level is dropping not very fast but.. if I put the "pedal to metal" for some short acceleration on the highway.. the level drop more than normal I GUESS. The stick pass from full to 3/4 in about 3 weeks. I want to specify that I use it only for street right now and I dont always push the car.

What you guys think about the 0w40 ? Because I will probably try it. I need to change my oil this weekend then I will wait for some answers before go buy oil.

What are you 944 Turbo oil consumption and which oil you use!?

Thanks a lot guys!

[333pg333]

These cars do use quite a lot of oil when run hard. Assuming you're referring to the pressure drop when you're driving, not the level on the dipstick? By switching to a 0w/40 you will see even more of a drop. Unless you are in very cold region you don't need to go to such a low visc oil. Consult your Owner's handbook. It has a very clearly marked page identifying what oils to run in our cars. It is still relevant today. In Sydney where it is warmer than where you are, we run 20w/50 on the road and 25w/60 on the racetrack.

Also if you are hell bent on using Mobil 1 which seems very popular in Northern America on the basis of what Porsche US and dealers all use, make sure you find one that has sufficient levels of ZDDP in it. Note, there are numerous oil threads on all forums. The most comprehensive is the Pelican one. Enjoy. ;-)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/367300-ultimate-motor-oil-thread-why-we-hate-cj4-sm-oils.html

[zedsn]

I run 20/50 non synthetic oil on my 89 turbo and I too go through some oil when running hard. If you have older seals in your car I have found that running synthetic motor oil will cause leaks that you did not have when using conventional motor oil. I hate these oil questions.

[FRZ951]

Well thank you guys. I will continue using 15w50 Mobil 1

[Pete R]

I track my 951 and can 1/2 to 1 quart in a half hour, of course that's at 4k+ rpm and full boost most of at time. I use 20/50. I have been experimenting with different brands to see if I can limit the useage. This year I'll be dumping in some racing Amsoil at $12 a quart, I'm actually hoping this one doesn't solve my problem because it's soo expensive..we'll see

[Pops944]

I'm in Kentucky and have been using the Mobil 0W40 for the last 2 years with no problems. The lowest I've ever seen my oil pressure was at outside temperature of 98, after a 45 minute spirited run through some back roads. I dropped to 3 at the red light, but back up to 5 as soon as I started moving again. I use about 1 quart of oil every 1500 miles, plus or minus 300 miles.

[FRZ951]

Thank you guys. This is what I consume while cruising or going on high boost, great to ear.

I wanted to use 0w40 but I think Its preferable to use 50 with my tuned 951.

[nize]

i used to use brad penn 20w50 as it has good reviews, is lab tested, and was a reasonable price. they've since raised their prices by more than double.

i now use valvoline vr1 racing (conventional) 20w50 as it also has zddp and costs less. make sure you get the conventional (silver bottle) and not synthetic (black bottle).

[FRZ951]

You dont use synthethic oil!?!? I use synthec in mine.. Why dont you use synthetic oil in yours!?

[sketchers356]

I use Shell Rotella T6 5W40 synthetic and found that it quieted my engine down quite a bit from using conventional.

[GorillaFoot]

Matt, in many ways, oil is like blood to a car. You don't put Type-O blood into a person when they have Type-A blood. Granted, a car's chemistry is a lot less complicated. I'll keep the rest of this relatively simple as well, because I'm no expert either.

In our older cars, with older seals made of different materials than today's cars, a conventional oil, with it's varying molecule sizes and natural impurities, CAN seal an engine better. Our older engines are not built to the same tolerances as new cars either, so the varying molecule sizes can help fill gaps in the metal as well.

A synthetic oil is a better oil when it comes to overall lubricating and it's ability to withstand higher heat levels without breaking down. It's a "better" oil, but not necessarily what was made for our cars.

Now, that being said, there are caveats...

1. There are synthetic oils out there with additive packages that keep our seals good. They can be great for our cars.
2. There are dino oils out there now that our engines HATE.

Our engines HATE most Mobil 1 oils, regular or synthetic. Why? Your Mobil 1 is NOT THE SAME FORMULATION AS WHAT WAS MADE FOR OUR CARS IN THE 1980's. You have to look at the VERY IMPORTANT ADDITIVE CALLED ZDDP. Our cars like having over 1400ppm of ZDDP. Most Mobil 1 oils do not have this level of ZDDP. I found that when I switched oils from Mobil 1 years ago, not only did I burn less oil, but my oil pressure was 2 bars higher when hot. Using the previous analogy of blood/oil, you can't run hard with low blood or oil pressure without hurting things.

Look into Valvoline VR1 Racing, Brad Penn or Joe Gibbs Driven oils, all in the 20/50 range. Talk to their people, make your choice from one of these brands and you can't go wrong.

[billy mild]

I run Brad Penn. I get it for a good price ($5 a quart) and it works rather well. After running for 3,000 miles and 6 months the oil still had plenty of life.

[951S/928S]

My turbo makes very similar power to yours, except mine is strictly a track car. I run the Valvoline VR1 20w50 oil also. I have used synthetic oils, specifically Mobil,but my oil consumption went up significantly, and the oil pressure would drop when it got hot, so I went back to the VR1. I had a similar discussion with one of the Lindsey brothers a few years ago, (before they started carrying the Brad Penn oil), and they found the same thing with the synthetics at the time, and they also went back to the conventional racing oil, for their turbo, at the time. Personally, I would not go to a lighter oil for the summer. I also use VR1, in my 928, with over 240,000 miles, including many track miles, and this motor still doesn't use oil, and still runs strong.
On the other hand, we have a rebuilt SP2 NA motor, which was machined with synthetic oil in mind, and use 15w50 Gulf Competition oil, because it has plenty of zddp. This motor is over a year old, and still doesn't consume oil, and doesn't seem to have lost any power yet, and runs continually from 4000 to 6500 rpm.

[FRZ951]

Thank you billy and a big thanks for Gorrila and 951s/928s

i'll serisouly try to find Valvoline VR1 or try to find an other substitue with more than 1400 ppm of the ZDDP additive.

Here in Quebec(Canada) we dont have the same oil brand. Valvoline yes, I dont know where but ill find, but im very not sure for Brad Penn or Joe Gibbs

I'll let you know!

[nize]

it's not easy to find oil with zddp in the states because it is technically not legal for street use. that is why oil with zddp is marketed as 'racing oil - for offroad use' heheh.

[GorillaFoot]

I have had no problem finding VR1 in the auto part stores, but in the ever deepening of my weirdness, I have moved to ordering my oil. You may find a place in your area that supplies it, but chances are, your Brad Penn and Joe Gibbs are going to be shipped to you. Just takes a little forethought.

The right oil will help oil consumption, but some consumption issues can only be solved with a refreshening of valve seals, rings and the like. But your engine must be pretty stout if you are pulling 305 at the wheels! Change the oil to something you car likes and then see what happens. A little blow by never killed anyone.

[james6speed]

Just for perspective, I have a similar power lever to yours and use to run full synthetic. I am with Nize on this as I switched to Brad Penn 20-50 semi-synth and noticed my oil pressure went up! The engine was completely rebuilt some 10K so I am not sure it is due to it being older seals etc. As far as the ZDDP oil being illegal, I live in Kentucky, so everything is legal and bought it from ebay for less than the VR1. I think both are great, just get the one that is cheaper, as they both have high levels of ZDDP in them.

[FRZ951]

Great, I rebuilt the engine last summer My oil pression is always at 5 with mobil 1 1/50.

Hey I found a place that can have Valvoline, like many others. I bought 8L and i'll receive it next week. That what I hate.. they dont have it in stock.. grrr :P

[FRZ951]

I finally cancel the order at the other place because I found an other place that have it right now and lower cost.. :P LOL Nice!

I'll let you now my impression in one or 2 weeks

[FRZ951]

Well.. I did my oil change this afternoon and took the car for a ride of about 2 hours.. oil pressure is good.. when I boost hard there is very not much smoke at the exhaust which is very good..

I dont know if its me but while accelerations, slow medium or hard, the car was better responsive of about 1,5x than before.. which is very great..