Oil Change After Each Track Day?

[LaszloToth]

I've seen the subject guidance written in a couple of publications, most recently my Subaru Performance Handbook which said:

"Using engine oil with a higher viscosity rating is recommended to track use. The 5w30 grade engine oil suggested by Subaru should be changed to 20W-50 grade engine oil. This increase the strenth and durability of the film of oil tha protects engine bearings and other parts from damage.", and

"A well-run in engine can be changed over to synthetic engine oil, respecting previously mentioned viscosity ratings when used for track racing. Hard charging operators wil change both the engine oil and transmission oil after every single outing."

Isn't this oil change guidance overkill with a 6,000km OCI and an occasional track day daily driver at modest power level improvements over stock (exhaust and tune)? I can't imagine a single track day compromising the entire quantity of oil in the engine.

 

[Ramblejam]

UOA > Supposition

 

[Rand]

it depends on what kind of track day, and what kind of weather.

They basically dont want you heating the oil up too much(turbo)and possible dilution from WOT

 

[dparm]

A change after every track day? Ha. Let me guess, you should only visit your dealer for that service? The 20w50 suggestion is laughable too.

I don't know anyone who changes their oil after every track day, especially on a performance car that is made to do that sort of thing.

 

[A_Harman]

If you're doing autocross on snow as the picture indicates, I doubt you need to use a 20w50 and change it after every event.

Is that Subaru Performance Handbook something that was published by Subaru? I'm a surprised that they would recommend going up two grades of viscosity. And what's that statement "A well-run in engine can be changed over to synthetic engine oil"? That sounds like an old-school complaint from the 1970's that new engines shouldn't run synthetic oil.

 

[ls1mike]

No.

 

[crazyoildude]

the only reason you would change your oil after track day is if you blow the engine and need to take it apart...That would be a complete waste of oil,time and money

 

[Clevy]

Huh.
News to me. My mustangs get beat on at the track and beat on on the road so track time isn't any change really.

 

[LaszloToth]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
If you're doing autocross on snow as the picture indicates, I doubt you need to use a 20w50 and change it after every event.

Is that Subaru Performance Handbook something that was published by Subaru? I'm a surprised that they would recommend going up two grades of viscosity. And what's that statement "A well-run in engine can be changed over to synthetic engine oil"? That sounds like an old-school complaint from the 1970's that new engines shouldn't run synthetic oil.


Yes Autocross in the snow, and the "Subaru Performance Handbook, Training WRX Edition 3" was published in 2005 by MRT Performance who are in Australia. Australia got the WRX and STi earlier than North America partly because of the higher octane of their petrol.

Link: MRT Performance - Subaru Performance Handbook page

I am happy with the Handbook in general, but I suspect that OCI recommendation is worst case guidance.

 

[IndyIan]

Written in Australia explains the 20W50 part... I guess if you were doing semi professional stage rallies then you probably would change all the drivetrain fluids every day, just to look for signs of damage from beating on the car that hard.
Unless you like to sidestep the clutch on your launches for autocross, I think you are fine with the severe service schedule.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Exactly. Even after 300 degree temps at Homestead my oil tested out just fine with zero degradation with three events!

Forget that 50w oil unless you just have to, around these parts you'll be hard pressed to find a better oil than M1 0w-40. Truly awesome stuff and easy to find, not sure about Down Under...

 

[SHOZ]

2 track days with 300F oil and 5k miles regular driving. My 5w30 M1 checked out as still good to use on my Genesis Coupe turbo.

 

[BHopkins]

A co-worker of mine does a lot of track racing with a WRX, an Evo 8, and a BMW 328 (when he can keep it running). We discussed the subject of oil life last summer. He told me that a number of the oil companies have changed their recommendation for oil changes, to the race teams they sponsor. The new recommendation is to do a fresh oil and filter change at the end of the race season. Then during the next race season, after each race change the filter and top off, using the same oil until the end of the season, when once again they perform an oil and filter change.

 

[oliver88]

Joe Gibbs "Driven" oils recommend that technique. I have never seen the need (using UOA's) to change the oil after every event...I have raced Porsches using Redline 10w40 and UOA's show it is good for 12-15 hours easily...Could probably go 20 without any cause for worry. These engines can see 275ish temps all weekend long. I think you be hard pressed to justify changing the oil that often assuming you have a properly tuned engine. Sounds like a waste of $$ and expensive insurance to me.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I guess if you were doing semi professional stage rallies then you probably would change all the drivetrain fluids every day, just to look for signs of damage from beating on the car that hard.
Unless you like to sidestep the clutch on your launches for autocross, I think you are fine with the severe service schedule.


Yes, I am pretty sure that ALL of the WRC teams do a full oil/fluid change at each of the full services offered between each section of stages, but then they are on the limiter ALL of the time, with anti-lag, and in sometimes VERY hot, and VERY dusty conditions.

Severe service changes would be MORE THAN sufficient for the op's app.

 

[bluesubie]

Quote:
Isn't this oil change guidance overkill with a 6,000km OCI and an occasional track day daily driver at modest power level improvements over stock (exhaust and tune)? I can't imagine a single track day compromising the entire quantity of oil in the engine.

There are many uoa's here on WRX's and STI's doing very well with multiple track runs on robust 30 grades (like Red Line or GC) and 40 grades (Rotella T6 M1 0W-40, etc. ). I think there's an RT6 one with 8k miles on the oil and he was Stage II.

Even the Brits only recommend 50 grades in the older Classic WRX, but you see 5W-40 now being recommended more often. Leave the 50 grades to the open class rally cars.

Nice Hawkeye!

-Dennis

 

[Mykl]

This was educational.