PCMO vs go-kart Syn

[camperbob]

The grandson races go-karts, and they have their own lines of Synthetic based engine oils. In that niche, it is hard pressed to find any of the names we do on the PCMO level.

Names I constantly see are Cool Power, Power Plus, and FHS oils, but of course they are not sold in weights but rather crafty marketing terms. Also mentioned many of the classes do run a methanol fuel.

 

[KzMitch]

I once heard that racing is expensive.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: KzMitch
I once heard that racing is expensive.

"The only substitute for cubic inches is cubic money" Smokey.

 

[fdcg27]

You could just use a known-good PCMO and be done with it.
I'm not sure how thick a grade these engines need, but I'd guess pretty thick.
It's not as though winter starts are an issue.
Having written the above, I'd wager that either M1 0W-40 or 15W-50 would be better than any oil marketed as being specific to kart use.
Oil performance in this type of use really comes down to grade, basestock blend, additive package, volatility, shear resistance and resistance to oxidation.
I think that M1 has all of these bases covered.
Not so sure about some of the minor brands you've mentioned.

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: camperbob
The grandson races go-karts, and they have their own lines of Synthetic based engine oils. In that niche, it is hard pressed to find any of the names we do on the PCMO level.

Names I constantly see are Cool Power, Power Plus, and FHS oils, but of course they are not sold in weights but rather crafty marketing terms. Also mentioned many of the classes do run a methanol fuel.


A coworkers son races go karts and everyone in their racing association has to use the same oil, they use Red Line Kart oil
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=26

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
You could just use a known-good PCMO and be done with it.
I'm not sure how thick a grade these engines need, but I'd guess pretty thick.
It's not as though winter starts are an issue.
Having written the above, I'd wager that either M1 0W-40 or 15W-50 would be better than any oil marketed as being specific to kart use.
Oil performance in this type of use really comes down to grade, basestock blend, additive package, volatility, shear resistance and resistance to oxidation.
I think that M1 has all of these bases covered.
Not so sure about some of the minor brands you've mentioned.


Red Lines kart oil is a 5W20.

 

[camperbob]

Thanks for the replies. Im guessing since they recommend draining after each race, its probably not loaded up with the good stuff. I can get a good 5w20 for half the price of a qt of kart oil.

 

[Slick17601]

You need light oil if you want to go fast, especially in the stock classes and money races where the line ups are set with time trials. I always had good luck with FHS Lightning Stock or Cool Power green light. FHS Dominator when money is on the line.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: camperbob
Thanks for the replies. Im guessing since they recommend draining after each race, its probably not loaded up with the good stuff. I can get a good 5w20 for half the price of a qt of kart oil.

Some race oils have lower detergent content than street oils. Some say it reduces wear.

The other reason you may have to replace the oil very often is contamination. What kind of oil filtration does this kart engine have? The other thing that shortens oil life is that the engine is probably runs a rich air/fuel mixture, and fuel/oil dilution would be a problem.

If those factors exist, the kart oil would need frequent changing, even if it was PCMO or HDEO.

 

[armos]

It might be interesting to send in some of the kart oil to a lab and see what they say about the viscosity, etc.

 

[camperbob]

Good Points! Our kart engines do not have any filtering, which is definitely a main reason for often oil changes. The other thing that may come into play tis that its common to have cylinder head temps in the 410 range, but im not sure where a pc head temp runs