I hope this doesnt come across as too simple or a really dumb question but does the type of oil you use in a motor affect power? Say comparing a straight thirty weight to 30w50 on the same motor at the same operating temp, etc.

Is one going to make more power than the other? The reason I ask is I was reading an article on engine building and the author said he chooses to run straight 30 weight b/c there was signifigantly more power to be made.

With oil obviously being such a vital part of our engines it got me to thinking.

Is it as simple as less friction = more power?

 

you can't really just narrow it down to the oil weight itself. how were the engine clearances setup? what weight of oil was "in mind" and at what kinds of operating temperatures? what kind of oil pressure? will a vacuum pump be used? na, turbo or supercharged?

lots of questions but each plays a part in deciding which oil is best for the intended use. generally, you want hotter oil and cooler water. synthetic has a strong advantage in that situation but it just depends on what the type of duty the engine is being built for.

JB

 

I've seen some Engine Builders say that 20w-50 Dino oil was better than synthetic because it didn't cling as well to the parts and had less windage.

Seems like that situation wasn't very well thought out. A 0w-10 synthetic probably would work just as well and have alot less friction.

As Jeff said it depends upon the combo and cold coolant and hot oil are two good tings. So you want to keep the heat out of the coolant and in the oil, really you want to keep the heat in the chamber and away from everything else but have the oil hot enough to be effecitve. I'm more of a proponent to 0W-30 oil.

Jeff, how much oil are you running in those drag motors? I know some guys like the motor to just be relying on the synthetic film left on the bearings at the end of the track.

Bret

 

Seems like that situation wasn't very well thought out. A 0w-10 synthetic probably would work just as well and have alot less friction. Definately will not last as long. Better oil control and the right bearing clearances for the intended oil are always a big part of it.

As Jeff said it depends upon the combo and cold coolant and hot oil are two good tings. So you want to keep the heat out of the coolant and in the oil, really you want to keep the heat in the chamber and away from everything else but have the oil hot enough to be effecitve. I'm more of a proponent to 0W-30 oil, especially synthetic because it will flow well at low temps and is much more tolerable of lower engine temps due to colder coolant.

One thing I found interesting was VW's switch from 5w-30 in the VR6 which is a extremely hot running motor, especially in the cylinder head. They went from the 5w-30 in the 2valve head to a 0w-40 in the 4 valve head. The bottom end of the motor is identical, don't know about bearing clearances, but it seems that the lower temp flowing of the oil and the higher heat ability of the 40 vs the 30 is a good thing.


Jeff, how much oil are you running in those drag motors? I know some guys like the motor to just be relying on the synthetic film left on the bearings at the end of the track.

Bret