boost fed ls

I just checked the main bearing clearance's on my ls/vtec motor and they came out to .0020. If I was to build with the clearances I have what weight motor oil would be the best to use? Engine builders that have used these clearances please post And please no "this is too loose" answers. I am going to be FI and running around 18-20psi.

markdman

5w-30

boost fed ls

I am sure I will need somthing a little thicker than what honda recomends(5w30), any body know?

tonydatyga

0w40 ester?

Syner-G-Racing LLC

i know a lot of oil manufacturers recommend running 15w30...I contacted mobil, castrol, and sr-1 about it. Im in the process of rebuilding my setup and Ive been doing a lot of research on clearances and oiling systems. if you find anything interesting about the two, post it up, or pm, Id like to see it.

V-SPEC 1

I've seen people use kendall 20w50 for loose clearances. Ask Vince from Golden Eagle, he'll tell you.

dennis

You're going to have to read your engine and see what it likes. If you're on the looser side, yes, you'll want to run thicker oil. I started out with 20w50 for my particular build. I don't have any excessive consumption issues, but I don't like how it takes a little longer than lighter weight oils to build up pressure on startup so I'm going to move down to 10w40 for my next change and monitor the engine. Also conisider the climate you live in - I live in florida, so it's pretty much a non-issue for me.

What I'd do/did:
If it's a new build, first run the non-detergent 30wt to break it in. Monitor it, check consumption. If everything's good, maybe go with some 10w30 and monitor from there. You can also mix weights of oil to make your own blend. I'm running non-synthetic and just change oil more often.

Bror Jace

I wouldn't use a 5W-30 ... because most current 5W-30s shear down to a 20 weight after just 1,500 miles of 'average' use.

I wouldn't use 20W-50 as it is an obsolescent weight too thick for most motors.

Try a 10W-30, 10W-40 or 15W-40 for starters and send samples of used motor oil away to a lab like this to see how the engine is wearing:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

non-VTEC

castrol makes a nice synthetic 5W50 oil which is good for all kinds of applications. works well for daily driving and even for some hard racing.

boost fed ls

thanks for the help