5w20 in hard endurance environment?

[camperbob]

I don't know much about 5w20, but planning on running a 4.6 police interceptor in a long distance endure race this year. Basically ran as hard as it can for as long as it can, it the dead of summer

Engine already has about 160k on it. See any reason to run anything other than a good 5w20?

 

[Ramblejam]

If you want to stick with a Ford approved viscosity, 5w-50 would be appropriate here.

 

[OneEyeJack]

160k on a Crown Vic means that it's now broken in and ready for work.

 

[RoadRaceJosh]

Does it have an oil cooler? If not I would run Red Line 40WT race oil. If there is an oil cooler I would run Red Line 30WT race oil. Keeping an oil film between the bearings and crankshaft is your #1 goal here.

I would change the valve springs before going racing. Weak valve springs can cause loss of power obviously... Well, if that isn't obvious you are likely to have other problems... I digress. Change the valve springs because if you float the valves you can also pull the locks through the retainer and drop the valve into the cylinder thus ending your fun.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: camperbob
... Basically ran as hard as it can for as long as it can, it the dead of summer

...


I'd go at lease a 30 weight in those conditions, and agree with the posts above.

 

[expat]

Can you fit an oil temp gauge?

Regardless, I would run a race spec oil or something like a 20w-50

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Shoot. We all know the police officers never drove it hard; I have never seen a Crown Vic do 0-100 on the highway, or in a high speed pursuit.

Stick with the 20 grade.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: camperbob
I don't know much about 5w20, but planning on running a 4.6 police interceptor in a long distance endure race this year. Basically ran as hard as it can for as long as it can, it the dead of summer

Engine already has about 160k on it. See any reason to run anything other than a good 5w20?


It couldn't hurt to go thicker if you're really going to be running WOT all the time in the race. A synthetic 40-weight is probably the way to go. Something else on the car will probably be the weak link.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Shoot. We all know the police officers never drove it hard; I have never seen a Crown Vic do 0-100 on the highway, or in a high speed pursuit.

Stick with the 20 grade.


I knew someone would follow with that logic.

Look, there's a very significant difference between that level of operation and racing at WOT for extended periods of time.

20 weight is perfectly fine for fleet usage. Racing though? Something different is needed.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I'd go for 5w-20 and a big oil cooler. Seems to be a better idea than using overly heavy oil at higher temperatures to get the ideal viscosity.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Are you going in circles or far away? IS the engine modified?

160K Hope you at least have a new WP and rad and hoses and belts. Oh, and Good tires.
Are the cats gone missing?

Sounds like you wont be driving it when its done for.

 

[tig1]

What's the name of the race, and where is it held?

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: tig1
What's the name of the race, and where is it held?


yeah! are we talking a Cannonball/gumball type coast to coast deal?
or the 24hr endurance track race? (24 Hrs of LeMons type)?

 

[demarpaint]

Any good 5W30 synthetic should do just fine. M1 0W40 would be another good choice.

 

[oldhp]

No response from OP. I'm throwing the B.S. flag. 160K miles on engine and going flat out racing????? B.S.

 

[DoubleWasp]

I understand a lot of people are going to have their own opinions, but I have been very close to people who have been road racing mod motors for years, and nobody is using a 20wt.

The police do what they do, but rarely for periods of time as extended as a race (read: almost never).

Note that Ford themselves spec'd a 50 wt oil for their showroom racers, the Cobra R and BOSS 302, and both have oil coolers.

If it were me, I'd use a high quality 50 wt, and an Accusump. Mod motors love to clear their oil pans and stick the oil up in the heads at high rpm.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Go with the absolute BEST 5w20 on the market. Some boutique oil that is ridiculous for any purpose other than what you're looking to do. Ford says it's OK so do it.

 

[CT8]

15w-40 or 50

 

[SwampSurvivor]

SAE200 or bust!

 

[fdcg27]

If this car is really going to be run as fast as you can drive it for an extended period, a thicker oil would make sense.
Maybe a syn blend HDEO 10w30, like Delo or T5?
OTOH, for only a bit more coin, you could go with M1 0W-40.
If it's good enough for an M5 or a 911, it should be fine for a relatively lazy Ford engine, even if you do run it hard.