Oil selection for Ferrari Mondial 3.2/328

I recently had my 328's oil changed while I was having a state inspection done. These guys - http://www.rmccar.com/whoweare.html - did a separate overall inspection of the car and changed the oil. They use Mobil1 15W50 for the Ferraris though they will use whatever oil you want.

Though you mentioned it is not an issue, in the early 80's we did dyno tests that showed a 5-6HP increase using Mobil one over conventional oils of the same weight in a 440CID engine at 7000 RPM. SO why not take advantage of a slight HP increase over conventional oils in addition to the other advantages of syn oil?

Admittedly, the advantages are probably not really worthwhile if you are changing oil every 1000 miles! Just as a side note, Porsche factory fill is Mobil 1 and the recommended oil change intervals are 15,000 miles...

 

I have used synthetics in my 328 for many years with no leakage problems. Later years of 328's and I presume Mondials, Ferrari changed the recommendation to 10-40 oils. There were no changes in the motors but oils have gotten much better. I use Mobil 1 0-40. It flows much better at startup which is critical and retains viscosity at high temps (which you never reach in street use anyway) about as well as 50 weights.

Dave

 

WalMart,

Two gallons of Mobile 1
15W-50

Edwardo

(I have a 1992 Chevy 4 X 4, , , 289,000 mi.
18 MPG,
No leak oil,
No burn oil,
....Mobile 1, 10W-30)
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I would either go with Ferrari and use the Q 5w40 or if you really want to take care of your engine go online and get Motul 5w 40.

dave

 

While not Ferrari, or even a car, my Ducatis do NOT get Motul based on what a nationally renowned Duc wrench's shop reported after tearing down engines using various oils including of course Motul. I don't recall what the issues were but the message was clear: Motul not recommended. Oil opinions are like arssholes though right? That said, it's my belief that if a brand did relatively poorly in one machine it stands to reason it may perform similarly in another.

Take the 'book' w.a grain of salt though Joe; there are often political angles to a manufacturer's recommendation. E.G. Ducati says 'use only Shell oil' right on the oil case Shell is/was a major sponsor at that time. I've been using only M1 in my Ducs for tens of thousands of miles and my engines are in great shape. I can't imagine our Fs are too different.

I think your biggest concern should be which weight to use, and that of course may vary depending on seasonal climate changes.

 

We use Motul based on the recommendation of our Ferrari mechanics. They are highly respected and consider Motul to be the only choice based on their research and experience. Basically I trust these guys, but how would I really know if Motul is better? I guess that if my motor doesn't blow up it must be good

dave

 

I USE TOTAL QUARTS OIL. I bought from POLEPOSITION
WEIGHT IS 10-50 .....SPECS ON THE OIL IS AS FOLLOWS....TOTAL LUBRIFIANTS
16, rue de la République
92800 PUTEAUX
QUARTZ RACING 10W-50
Synthetic multigrade oil for Gasoline and Diesel engines
•
SPEC ON THE OIL ........

QUARTS RACING OIL 10-50

1. 15.C UNITS KG/M3 856

2. VISCOSITY @ 40.C MM2/S 115

3. VISCOSITY @ 100 .C 17.0

4.VISCOSITY INDEX 164

5. FLASH POINT 240.C

6 POUR POINT -45 .C

 

Brand? I use the most popular oil that has the least number of complaints or questions and that is why I primarily use Castrol. The first time I start hearing complaints about it I will move to the next most popular. I have nothing personal for or against any of them, Castrol included, only what I hear from others. I just really dont care about the manufacture, I care about my engine. Mobil? No way in hell. Far too many complaints, questions and people with oil leaks. I wont use any oil that has a bunch of questions, its just not worth the risk IMHO. And I dont care if YOU never had trouble, the fact that others have are what pushes me away.

Viscosity? I have my own opinion. I have read the operating requirements of hundreds of engine powered machines, from airplane engines to heavy diesel equipment, motorcycles to lawnmowers, cars to trucks. Virtually every single stationary or industrial gas and diesel engine manufacture, regardless of displacement, call for 50 and 60 weight oils when ambiant tempertures rise above 90F, even engine manufactures like Ford, Honda and General Motors. It is only those manufactures automobile engines where they suggest lower viscosity oils, and its all based on US government EPA CAFE standards. The telling part is when you see power equipment that use common auto engines. The same engine that was in a car and told to use 5W30, in power equipment is required to run 50 weight at high operating temps. And this is direct from the engine manufacturer. Same crankshaft, same engine bearings, same oil clearances, its just not in a car.

All the engine manufactures cant be wrong, and all the weekend warrior car owners cant be right. The manufactures are the ones who have to warrantee their stuff, and they are the ones who see oil related engine damage first hand. And unlike car makers, they also want to protect thier good name. If Cummins, John Deere, Caterpillar, Mack or Case started blowing engines, if Honda started blowing up thier motorcycles or lawnmowers, they would lose customers. I dont care how great a warrantee is, contractors buy heavy equipment to do a job not sit in a shop getting a new engine. And they dont pull oil viscosity figures out of thier a$$.