0W20 vs. 5W30 Test Data

[mkodama]

Originally Posted by Dzmitry

Interesting and makes sense. I am curious then of whether holding a temperature of 230F has a good amount of negative effects for me to consider a Forester oil cooler, or if this temperature is fine to continue running at as long as I don't exceed it much (I know this is an endless debate everywhere between what the ideal temperatures are to run an engine and at what temperatures the damage starts to occur or increases significantly). I have also done quite an extensive amount of reading on research and anything I can find on oil in the past couple of days.

https://www.minimania.com/Motor_Oils..._Misunderstood

Though, this specific article I am posting isn't direct research, it boasts a load of interesting and important information. It's a good 1-2 hour read. Makes me wonder if 0W-30 would be a slightly worse alternative to 0W-20 from the larger differences in viscosity on an engine start. And how would that compare to the wear of my engine at a constant 230F. These are all just thoughts in my head, I am not expecting an answer as I know this is an endless debate that has been disputed on just about every forum. Just some interesting stuff.

Basically I am just curious if it would benefit me to have a Forester Oil cooler with the way I run my car for long term BRZ survival, or if it would be of little to no benefit or unworthy.

I've heard/read some engine builders talk of 110C or 230F being often an ideal oil temperature to aim for(maximum power, protection, and mileage), so I would be happy in that case.

I tried out the Forester oil cooler for a while and I was not very impressed with it; no noticeable difference. I definitely recommend the throttle body heater plumbing path option over the heater core plumbing path option(what I did) if you decide to try it out.

If you want additional endless reading on engine oil, https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ forums cover everything.

[jflogerzi]

I stick with 5w-30 as I am boosted. Sent my first sample to Blackstone. Also run JC racing dual radiator cooler.

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[Apelsin]

So, what is so bad about high oil temperatures? Did anyone actually blew their engine tracking on 0w20 without an oil cooler?

[Goingnowherefast]

Originally Posted by Apelsin

So, what is so bad about high oil temperatures? Did anyone actually blew their engine tracking on 0w20 without an oil cooler?

At higher temperatures, oil becomes less viscous and it is unable to lubricant the rotating assembling sufficiently. While this might not lead to "blowing an engine", the more worrying fear it that it will lead to long-term issues down the road.

[Tristor]

Originally Posted by Apelsin

So, what is so bad about high oil temperatures? Did anyone actually blew their engine tracking on 0w20 without an oil cooler?

1. Temperature and pressure are related. Higher temperatures = lower pressure, not enough oil pressure able very bad things (TM) happen.

2. Yes, many examples exist of people learning about very bad things (TM) the hard way. At this point it’s just stupid to track this car without an engine oil cooler.

[mrhayes1]

Its pretty well widely understood that 0w20 oils, and now even 0w16!!, are solely for fuel economy. If emissions/fuel economy was not on the table, we would still be putting 5w30, 10w40 in all our cars. The only real advantage to 0w20 is you could say it better protects the engine during cold starts as opposed to 5w30, etc.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by mrhayes1

Its pretty well widely understood that 0w20 oils, and now even 0w16!!, are solely for fuel economy. If emissions/fuel economy was not on the table, we would still be putting 5w30, 10w40 in all our cars. The only real advantage to 0w20 is you could say it better protects the engine during cold starts as opposed to 5w30, etc.

If cold starts are a worry, just run 0W30

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Goingnowherefast

At higher temperatures, oil becomes less viscous and it is unable to lubricant the rotating assembling sufficiently. While this might not lead to "blowing an engine", the more worrying fear it that it will lead to long-term issues down the road.

Originally Posted by Tristor

1. Temperature and pressure are related. Higher temperatures = lower pressure, not enough oil pressure able very bad things (TM) happen.

Lower viscosity at higher temps is not an issue if you go to a heavier oil. Viscosity of 5w30 at 270F is about the same as viscosity of 0w20 at 230F-235F.

As for oil pressure, just look at the plots on the first post in this thread. The oil pressure for 5w30 oil is the same with or without an oil cooler.

So, viscosity isn't an issue if you use thicker oil, and pressure isn't an issue either as the pressure drop due to the oil cooler is equal to the pressure that would have been gained due to cooler oil.

2. Yes, many examples exist of people learning about very bad things (TM) the hard way. At this point it’s just stupid to track this car without an engine oil cooler.

Plenty of engines have failed *with* oil coolers. There's a *great* thread which suggests that the stock oil pickup tube is the culprit for sustained high-rpm usage.
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134863

I'm pretty satisfied that I'm OK tracking without a cooler for my car and my usage.

It should be noted that adding an oil cooler is not a risk-free proposition. Leaks are not uncommon...

As in other threads, for those considering getting one I'd suggest first having oil analysis done before and after tracking, and see if oil degradation and particulates indicate any problems before investing in an oil cooler.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

If cold starts are a worry, just run 0W30

I go one better and run synthetic 0W-40 along with the FXT cooler.

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by ZDan

There's a *great* thread which suggests that the stock oil pickup tube is the culprit for sustained high-rpm usage.

Is that the one where OP went with the Killer B pickup tube...?

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Is that the one where OP went with the Killer B pickup tube...?

They modified Killer B with a larger tube. Here's the thread, I'll link it in my post above as well:

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134863

[Apelsin]

How do you measure oil temperatures? Is there an app/obd2 scanner combination that can do it? Mine can't

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by Apelsin

How do you measure oil temperatures? Is there an app/obd2 scanner combination that can do it? Mine can't

Search for the torque app in Android and how to create the custom pid to measure. Just need a Bluetooth obo2 reader

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[Apelsin]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Search for the torque app in Android and how to create the custom pid to measure. Just need a Bluetooth obo2 reader

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Anything that works with Apple?