I'm about to do another oil change on my 350z HR, using Penrite Racing "10 Tenths" 5W30. This oil was previously used at the last change as well. Some research in the last few weeks has caused me some concern though.
I had used the same line of oil for years in my sportsbike, so I had initially thought it would be good for a sports car too.
How suitable are these oils for street use, albeit sporty street use with some DD use? The Premium and Racing oil from Penrite has a rather high ZDTP and Boron count going from other UOA's I've found, in fact the label claims 2200+ ppm. I would think that is combined or a total additives package though.
I first read that too high zinc levels have been found to spall the cam lobe faces, but also too little in a highly loaded valve train setup can spell disaster for lobe wear.
Following that is the lack of detergents that race oils can sometimes be formulated with. The label does mention street use FWIW.
The car has had the usual bolt on mods done, intake, decat (test pipes fitted), cat back dual exhaust. It's also had the heads worked on, cams replaced with Tomei 272°s on intake and exhaust, and headers fitted. Slightly lower temp thermostat is fitted and an oil cooler upfront too. Reworking the variable valve gubbins and a bit of dynamic time left it at 339.8whp.
Being that the 350z has more of an old school cam and tappet design, my initial thoughts are this oil might be a good fit, especially with the higher loadings from the much more aggressive cams. I'm keen for any input here though.
The car is currently at 164,000kms, and does not burn anything noticeable on the dipstick. I'm a bit overdue at 12,000kms since the last change, but the level is just sitting under the full dot, with just a slight darker tinge to the oil.
I will be taking a used oil sample, and I'll also send in a fresh sample to see what it looks like from the bottle.
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
I had used the same line of oil for years in my sportsbike, so I had initially thought it would be good for a sports car too.
How suitable are these oils for street use, albeit sporty street use with some DD use? The Premium and Racing oil from Penrite has a rather high ZDTP and Boron count going from other UOA's I've found, in fact the label claims 2200+ ppm. I would think that is combined or a total additives package though.
I first read that too high zinc levels have been found to spall the cam lobe faces, but also too little in a highly loaded valve train setup can spell disaster for lobe wear.
Following that is the lack of detergents that race oils can sometimes be formulated with. The label does mention street use FWIW.
The car has had the usual bolt on mods done, intake, decat (test pipes fitted), cat back dual exhaust. It's also had the heads worked on, cams replaced with Tomei 272°s on intake and exhaust, and headers fitted. Slightly lower temp thermostat is fitted and an oil cooler upfront too. Reworking the variable valve gubbins and a bit of dynamic time left it at 339.8whp.
Being that the 350z has more of an old school cam and tappet design, my initial thoughts are this oil might be a good fit, especially with the higher loadings from the much more aggressive cams. I'm keen for any input here though.
The car is currently at 164,000kms, and does not burn anything noticeable on the dipstick. I'm a bit overdue at 12,000kms since the last change, but the level is just sitting under the full dot, with just a slight darker tinge to the oil.
I will be taking a used oil sample, and I'll also send in a fresh sample to see what it looks like from the bottle.
Any thoughts are much appreciated.
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