Best Oil for 308 GT4??? | FerrariChat

Best Oil for 308 GT4???

Discussion in '308/328' started by robertgarven, Dec 10, 2010.

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  1. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    Feb 24, 2002
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    Robert Garven
    #1 robertgarven, Dec 10, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Dear Friends,

    I am in the process of putting my car back together after a year long service. I have another thread going on how my camshaft was deteriorating. I believe it was due to the lack of zinc. I will be adding zinc+ but I am not sure what to use.

    I have friends using diesel oil. motorcycle oil etc. I was going to try to stay away from synthetics if possible as many have said it has increased leaks. I am not sue this is true and have been using synthetic gear box oil for years.

    BTW I used Castrol 20/50 for the last 15 years and 20K miles. I changed it every 6 months with a new filter. Drove the car every week or two let it completely warm up, never tracked, but always exercised!

    I know this has been discussed on many threads but after reading them all I still cannot get a
    consistent answer. Valvoline racing? Redline?? Royal Purple?? WTF!!!

    All I know is that this is unacceptable!!!
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  2. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    #2 thecarreaper, Dec 11, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    i have been using Redline 10-40 in my 911's, AND my 308's. Regular valvoline or Havoline 10-40 in the muscle cars. the thinner oils DO FLOW better, as Dr AEhass threads have indicated. I also use either a1/2 qt of Marvel Mystery oil, or 1 can of BG MOA, for the extra protection.

    I swear, i had an 85, and an 87 911 at the same time, in the same garage side by side. one had Bradd Penn 20-50, the other Redline 10-40+1 can of MOA. You could start each car, and see, hear, and feel the car with the thinner oil running smoother, and rev freer, faster than the car with the molasses 20-50 in it.


    I am not using 20-50 anymore, and i still have several cases of it. :(

    my 208 Dino also has fresh Redline 10-40 + MOA in it.

    pic:
    Stunning 87 Mondial is owned by Jfrazar, who is storing my unwanted 208 for me.
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  3. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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  4. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Oct 16, 2004
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    Aaron
    I was just talking oils with my mechanic last week since my car is in for a belt service, and he really felt strongly that I go with Swepco 15/40 in my '79. I had been running the Kendall 20/50 over the years, per another mechanic, but my understanding is that the formulation has changed (a la Brad Penn). Furthermore, I was never that sold on the "20" aspect of it from all the great AEHaas threads, but I suppose I convinced myself that my 80,000 mile engine would benefit from the heavier oil since it was likely not as "tight" as a more modern engine.

    I'll be going with the Swepco in the crank case and tranny (don't remember the weight on that one), so I'll report back with my impressions...
     
  5. DinoSR8LM

    DinoSR8LM Karting

    Dec 3, 2010
    166
    The European Standards are much better than here. Some specific brands and grades are available here: Mobil 1 0w-40, Castrol Syntec 5w-40 are the 2 most common. Ever notice the American made Redline, Royal Purple, and Amsoil are not API certified? Royal Purple won't even provide their full test results.
     
  6. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    Perfusion,

    I used 3 kinds of gearbox oil and he swepco was the worst even though recommended by a well known and trusted ferrari mechanic here in CA. I switched to redline 75/90 NS and noticed instantly easier shifting and NO 2nd gear cold starts. just my 2 cents
     
  7. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Oct 16, 2004
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    Aaron
    Interesting... I've got 6qts or so of that very same Redline fluid in my garage right now (that I proposed I could bring in during the service) that my mechanic said to avoid! So funny... I know my car has the swepco in it now - blue in color - and my 2nd gear works great when cold, so I guess I'll just stick with it. I completely understand your position, though, and hope you find the oil that works best for you! Just be sure to share your results so the rest of us can benefit, as well!
     
  8. javadog

    javadog Karting

    Dec 27, 2009
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    Tulsa, OK
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    Jeff Roberts
    I'd suggest that you run the Brad Penn oil or the Swepco. Either would work fine. This has been discussed to death on other forums.

    As for the issue with Swepco transmission fluid, think of it this way. Not all gearboxes need the same thing, as the way the parts work may be a little different. Swepco first became popular with Porsches, in their transmissions that use a baulk ring synchromesh. When they changed to a Borg Warner style of synchromesh, other gear oils worked better. It's not that the Swepco product was bad, it just wasn't the best choice for that particular design. You also have to factor in the age and wear of a tranny. What is optimum for a nearly brand new one may not work as well in something 500 miles short of needing a rebuild.

    JR
     
  9. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
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    You won't get a consistent answer here, or probably anywhere for that matter. I'll just say I use a product with higher levels of zddp only because of the flat tappet issues I've read about here. We will see in another 4 years when I pull the valve covers off again.
     
  10. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
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    I think I'm going to cry. "unwanted 208" That is the sadest thing I have ever heard. I wish I had to money and space so I could care for it.
     
  11. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    +1 .............. :(
     
  12. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    I'm the Royal Purple guy, as they sponsor me..it's made in Houston.....(Porter, TX. actually)

    But Robert,

    For our older cars we might follow the footsteps of Napolis, who IIRC is using Shell Rotela T in his Old Girls and admits to adding some oil supplement to it in a ratio....

    Maybe a quick PM to him will confirm?
     
  13. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    How much do you want for it, again??

    That's a very cool car, IMO.
     
  14. tomoshea

    tomoshea Formula Junior

    Dec 29, 2003
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    Valvoline 20-50.

    Has made a big difference to my perception of "noise" from the engine, seems to run quieter and better.

    My engine has been rebuilt and has about 1K miles on it.

    Though I have noticed that when cold i.e in a climate of 5C to 15C if the engine is cold and you look through the oil filler cap, it takes a bit of time before you see any signifinant oil flow through the visible inlet journal on back 1-4.

    Guess that is the extra viscosity when cold, but oil presssure goes up immediately, when comapred to 10 - 40 oils.
     
  15. Dom

    Dom F1 Veteran
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    Nov 5, 2002
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    I've been using Mobil1 15w-50 for a long time now. No issues with leaks. Buy the gallon sized jugs from Walmart.
     
  16. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
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    That's what I did.
     
  17. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
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    I'm using Mobil 1 0W40 in my 328 on the basis that it should get up & around the engine faster when cold.

    Unless you live somewhere very warm (or hit the track very hard) I'm not sure why you'd go to a 20W50. AFAIK the current recommendation from Ferrari here in Europe is Shell Helix (synthetic) 5W40.

    I thought the original oil spec for most of these engines was 10W40.
     
  18. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,406
    Original spec was 10w-50 (NLA), then changed by Ferrrari to 10w-40.
     
  19. DinoSR8LM

    DinoSR8LM Karting

    Dec 3, 2010
    166
    That's the philosophy of Porsche and Mercedes, start up protection and that grade is Euro spec state side. Whatever oil you get should say European car Formula or Specially formulated to a german manufacturers standards.

    Personally I use the Motul engine flush and oil.
     
  20. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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  21. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
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    Dec 21, 2000
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    I emailed Rob that guide a few days ago ;)

    I recently switched over to Mobil 1 20W50 Motorcycle V-Twin oil. I used to use Castrol Syntec 5W50, but had used up my last batch (of pre-SM API rated stuff) for my 2009 oil change. For this year I started to use Mobil 1 as the latest batch of Syntec is SM rated and as I understand it, has unsafe levels of zinc & phosphorous for our 308's. Apparently, Castrol does make a Syntec 20W50 for older engines, but it isn't available in Canada. That, and the fact the Mobil 1 is readily available here and Walmart has it for the best price going (> $14/L Cdn)...

    I was going through some old FCA Prancing Horse magazines today and came across an oil article in the Tech Section (issue #172, 3rd quarter, 2009).
     
  22. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    Peter,

    I sold all my prancing horse magazines! can you paraphrase the article. I am leaning towards the redline 10/40, mainly because I am using the gearbox and CV joint stuff by them and like it. The also have a zinc additive. But I still have not made up my mind. on Bob is the oil guy site they are all trying to get me to try the Shell Rotella HDEO diesel oil?

    Rob
     
  23. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
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    Dec 21, 2000
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    Too long to paraphrase. I'll scan it and email it to you...
     
  24. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    Which Rotella Rob, the 5w-40 synthetic, or the 15w-40 dino version?
     

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