Oil in a Subaru wrx sti 350hp

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Hello.
I am from Russia. Need your opinion on what kind of oil to pour in the winter (-15 - 25 C) in a Subaru WRX STI 2.2, forged pistons (Mahle), 350hp +, often winter races, sprints.
Need reliable oil, with good protection against wear.

Thx.
 
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posted this up a few times around here, below is my thread asking about oils for 2.0L and 2.5L subaru motors;

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2721537&page=1

Delvac 1 5w-40 (Group IV PAO base) & Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 (Group III semi-synthetic) seem to the oil of choice for those looking to go with a diesel oil

Shell's Rotella T6 has been getting outstanding results for Subaru motors;

a few UOA's in various Subarus

08 WRX STI

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/2-5-liter-litre-factory-motor/199888-uoa-7626-miles-rotella-t6.html

07 WRX STI

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...;gonew=1#UNREAD

03 WRX

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2147196

02 WRX motor in a 99 RS

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1933342&page=1

03 WRX

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2147196

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1980964

08 WRX STI

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1992976

11 WRX

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2652600

07 WRX STI - moved from a 5w-30 > 5w-40

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2078804

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1937230

03 WRX w/ 175,000 mi - track driven

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2776113&#Post2776113


as your engine is fairly modified, Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 or Delvac 1 5w-40 are great choices

Motul 8100 x-clean 5w-30 has also provided good analysis results for the track, Castrol Edge 10w-60 or Motul 300v 15w-50 provide good protection in extreme conditions

cheers

dan
 
Agreed. Mobil Delvac 1, Rotella T6, Red Line 5w-40, Motul 8100 5w-40.

Are any of these available to you? I just looked up your average temperatures. 5w-40 should be fine.
 
I would advise seeking information from more specialised sources.

For example "ScoobyClinic" in the UK or "Roger Clark Motorsport" who have lots of experience with tuned Subarus.

RCM for example spec a 15w50 Silkolene Pro R Titan Race Ester Full Synthetic oil.

Don't forget this company built the famous Gobstopper Time Attack car.

A highly tuned "stroker" Subaru is a different kettle of fish to a standard WRX 2.0 running standard boost.

ScoobyClinic recommend 10w50 Full synth race oil which I believe is made for them by an American co called Prolong.

Other good info regarding tuned Imprezas can be found on Scoobynet and SIDC (Subaru Imprezas drivers club)

Don't forget that companies like Scoobyclinc and RCM have been specialising n Imprezas for the best part of a decade. And their recommendations are based on hard use.
 
And only use Subaru filters, blue ones are the newer ones or if you are feeling particularly flush you can buy the STi pink ones that are rather expensive. But then the best parts usually are.

One thing these recommendations for 0w40 and 5w40 are these based on use in tuned boxer engines?

Or from use in more standard vehicles?

Don't forget that most older [censored] market Imprezas(classic shape) end up in the UK, NZ or Aus.

And OP, have a look for the Gobstopper, it is a rather famous Impreza, with Go stopper 2 currently in development.
 
Many built subies here in the U.S. run gas/diesel 5W-40 (Rotella). My friend runs Motul X-clean 5W-40 in summer and X-clean 5W-30 in winter and his built Legacy GT is putting out ~400 whp. I know Motul 300V is available over there and their new 0W-40 should do well.

No sense in going with an overly thick 50 grade unless your builder specifically recommends it for your bearing clearances. Although, if you can get Eneos 0W-50 the operating viscosity would likely be a 40 grade after it shears anyway.

-Dennis
 
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Whilst I appreciate your opinion. I would point out that the recommendations I have listed are from respected Subaru specialists with a lot of motorsport experience so I would doubt that they are making the recommendations without good reason.
 
Also there is nothing really special about Subaru filters.

The bypass value is not as important as it is made out to be.

I am personally using the longer Mobil 1 M-110 myself.
 
Originally Posted By: bigjl
Whilst I appreciate your opinion. I would point out that the recommendations I have listed are from respected Subaru specialists with a lot of motorsport experience so I would doubt that they are making the recommendations without good reason.


I'm very aware of what is used in the UK and the use of 50 and 60 grades didn't seem to help all of the big end bearing failures on scoobynet. There are respected U.S. Subaru specialists as well and they rarely recommend 50 grades. Only if the specific build requires it.

-Dennis
 
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Don't know of any proper Subaru specialists that have used w60 oils. And don't believe everything you read on Scoobynet, SIDC is the better of the two forums.

And the rumours have gone around for years about bottom end problems, but they are a lot rarer than some may think and from what I have seen and read and they are mainly on the classic shape. Wether it is on Japanese Imports having been run on the wrong fuel and were never remapped for UK fuel or good old fashioned owner abuse, who knows for sure.

Or do you think that the engines are going pop due to running 50weight ester synthetics?

As the use of these oils is for modified aswell as some standard Subies I don't think it is due to bearing clearances, but rather to provide engine protection at high revs and under full boost. And to protect bottom ends.

I also suspect that apart from some areas having harsher winters than the UK that the climate and traffic conditions, speeds etc in Russia are more akin to what UK vehicles experience than US based vehicles. Hence why I wanted to make sure a UK perspective was put across and not drowned out with perspectives that though relevant in the US may not be the best in Russia.

Just an opinion, it is always possible that US tuners and Sube experts will start to use oils similar to those in the UK, it needs to be remembered that turbo Subarus have been popular in the UK for a little bit longer than in the US, since about '93 for Imprezas and '89 for the Legacy, off the top of my head. So perhaps US opinion will change?
 
Originally Posted By: Semantr
.........Need your opinion on what kind of oil to pour in the winter (-15 - 25 C) in a Subaru WRX STI .............


That is cold! A OW-40 or 0W-50 is worth considering.
 
I checked out two oil threads at SIDC and the recommendations were everything from 5W-30 to 10W-60. Opie oils gives recommendations at their web site via email for modified and tracked cars and via a sticky at scoobynet.

I still think 300V 0W-40 would be ideal. But the best advice would be to follow the builder's recommendations for viscosity.

300V Trophy
0W-40

Racing Lubricant for Motorsports
100% Synthetic – E Technology
All racing gasoline or diesel engines, naturally aspirated or turbocharged fitted with injection (direct / indirect) or carburetted.

For race prepared engines operating over a wide range of rpm and temperatures.
STANDARDS Above existing Motorsport standards.
SPECIFICATIONS Rally – GT – Short distance race

-Dennis
 
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^^^ Yes, it's VI is not that great, but I bet it is one STOUT oil otherwise (which I want to try in the spring/future).
thumbsup2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: bluesubie
(Rotella).
Although, if you can get Eneos 0W-50 the operating viscosity would likely be a 40 grade after it shears anyway.-Dennis

The even better Sustina 0W-50 (204 VI, HTHSV 4.0cP) could be good choice (if you can get it) and despite it's very high VI is as shear resistant as any oil on the market. The Sustina 0W-20 (HTHSV 2.65cP, 229 VI) which has the same formulation (uses a lighter base oil) could be used to fine tune your actual viscosity choice to your application.

Operating at such extremely cold temp's, it's highly unlikely that high oil temp's will be an issue, if anything retainly sufficient heat in the oil may be more of a problem.
Choose a 0W oil and make the decision as to whether it's a 50wt, 40wt, 30wt or 20wt oil based on your oil preasure and oil temp's.
 
I'd run Rotella 5W-40 in something like that, or even M1 0W-40, and not overcomplicate it with oils you're likely gonna have to work (and pay) to find (like Motul).

Subaru's seem to enjoy 40 weight oil. Thicker isn't necessary and I'd be wary of dipping into a 20 weight personally.
 
Caterham is right on as usual.

Unless you know the bypass spec, oil temp, and oil pressure you simply do not know anything about which viscosity to use.

The exact same trepidation should be felt going to 40w as 20w if you do not have accurate data!

You will have better turbo spool with thinner oils in general.
 
Thank you all for your support! Rottella T6 we did not buy. Motul is expensive, 2 maps approximately $ 42
http://www.rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk advises oil FUCHS Titan Silkolene but also for motorcycles!?
What about "CASTROL EDGE SAE 5W-40 3" - in winter (http://www.castrol.com.ru/castrol/edge_5w40.php) and "CASTROL EDGE Sport 10W-60" - the summer? survive if it loads on my motor 350hp? (on oil Castrol we speak differently, the majority says that it pollutes the motor, but a friend of mine to 320hp Subaru now goes by Castrol and he was like, no oil out)
PS I communicate with you through a translator;)
 
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I seriously don't see any reason to use a 60 weight oil in that car, unless you're planning on modding it for over a thousand horsepower and wanna drive it through the Sahara flat out.
 
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