LF4 Engine Oil Temperatures and Type

[ClassaxV]

I was just about to have my oil changed here at 9200 plus miles. I usually change it every 5000 miles. I have nit learned to trust the oil life monitor which currently reads 31% oil life.

I like to run the car the way it was meant to be. So she gets a dose of WOT whenever the conditions permit.

I pretty much exclusively use engine oil temp as the indicator of whether the car is warmed up enough to play.

What I've noticed is that the engine oil usually stabilizes at a around 192F and if you run spiritedly it goes up to about 201F but doesn't really go any higher even during the course of a track day.

After a recent VClub Mobile 1 Tech talk in which they indicated that the new Mobil 1 supercar 0w40 was factory fill and that Dexos R was the new standard for BWs. But the paper work on my first oil change clearly says the the dealer used 5w35 Dexos 1 Gen 3 oil. I know for sure it's the factory oil for the LT4 V8s in the CT5. It's less clear what they are using for LF4.

My questions for you guys are what are you seeing for oil Temps under what conditions?

And is anybody actually running 0w40 in the LF4?

 

[rdollie]

I was on that same web conference and I thought u heard mention that the oil for the LF4 was a 5W, not 0W40?

 

[CaptHugemeat]

I was under the impression that the LF4 used 5W-30 from the factory. With that said, my temps vary pretty drastically depending on use. I also have the 192F during everyday use, but any spirited driving definitely makes the temp go higher than 201F, with autocross and track days sending it way higher.

During my autocross runs in the summer, I see temps in the 230s after a 60 second run, and have seen temps as high as 270F during summer track days. Furthermore, I was at Spring Mountain last July in 113 degree ambient heat and the oil temp was over 300F on several occasions. The car gave me a warning about the temp and shut the AC off, but never slowed me down, so that was impressive.

 

[WONT TAP]

The LF4 engines use 5w30 oil. We upgrade this to 0W40 for our higher horsepower cars.

There is no oil temperature sensor on these cars. The value you see displayed on the dash is calculated by the ECM, based on engine coolant temperature and other factors.

A good indicator for oil change intervals is the oil life monitor. Factory recommendation is to change the oil and filter at 25%. We recommend 50% on any cars driven hard and/or running ethanol/methanol fuels. For cars that are raced hard, 75% would be an even better guideline.

We also recommend upgrading to the UPF63R oil filter.

AC Delco Ultraguard® Gold UPF63R Oil Filter - Tapout Tuning

GM introduced this new, improved replacement oil filter for High Feature V6 engines in February 2019 on #19-NA-020. These engines have higher oil pump pressure to accommodate engine cam phasing and high-speed bearing requirements. As a result, the oil filter performance was improved to meet...

www.tapouttuning.com

 

[raptor5244]

One of the benefits of the LF4 is we get to use the relatively inexpensive Dexos 1 5w30. I buy it at Walmart.

 

[ClassaxV]

One of the benefits of the LF4 is we get to use the relatively inexpensive Dexos 1 5w30. I buy it at Walmart.


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I don't know if get to use it is a benefit. My 2023 just rolled 9300 miles. It's my every other daily . But it is also closing in on 1200 track miles racked up in just 8 trips. Curse you MSRH for only being 10 minutes away!

We shall see she's full of Mobil 1 supercar, new binders, and shoes so we shall see on this Friday how things go.

PS rear dif service isn't a super difficult in the neck but it's seems to always be a bit of a pain getting hold of the fluid.

Have fun and as my old DI used to say of both trainees and cigarettes. "Smoke em if you got em"

 

[M2Cto4BW]

I don't know if get to use it is a benefit. My 2023 just rolled 9300 miles. It's my every other daily . But it is also closing in on 1200 track miles racked up in just 8 trips. Curse you MSRH for only being 10 minutes away!

We shall see she's full of Mobil 1 supercar, new binders, and shoes so we shall see on this Friday how things go.

PS rear dif service isn't a super difficult in the neck but it's seems to always be a bit of a pain getting hold of the fluid.

Have fun and as my old DI used to say of both trainees and cigarettes. "Smoke em if you got em"

How have things gone with the Supercar?

I'm going to hit the track next month and not that I don't trust the dealer who did my change... but ya, so when I get the track alignment and brake fluid done at a local specialist, I thought I might buy some 0w40 Supercar and get them to do that while I am there.

 

[PrimeTime]

0W40 for the LT4.... I'm searching local to get it for the 5BW and it's hard to source local. NADA, nothing on the shelf...Maybe order online at Walmart.com?

 

[M2Cto4BW]

0W40 for the LT4.... I'm searching local to get it for the 5BW and it's hard to source local. NADA, nothing on the shelf...Maybe order online at Walmart.com?

speedwaymotors.com and/or eBay will have you sorted
Walmart will just have it fulfilled through speedway anyways.

 

[ClassaxV]

How have things gone with the Supercar?

I'm going to hit the track next month and not that I don't trust the dealer who did my change... but ya, so when I get the track alignment and brake fluid done at a local specialist, I thought I might buy some 0w40 Supercar and get them to do that while I am there.

Supercar seems fine so far. I like the idea of it being able to handle a couple of trackdays and street duty.

I don't know that track alignment is really worth the money for casual track pace. If you're in need of every tenth and you're going to push it, sure. But just for fun, the street car alignment is plenty capable. I'm back on street alignment and it tracks fine for my pace.

Definitely do the brakes cooling ducts and swap the fluid. The 4BW carries a solid 80mph around the carousel and by the end of the straight going into diamonds edge I'm carrying a consistent 126mph before hard on the binders for that 45ish hairpin. Same thing coming over the launch into sugar and spice.

TRACK mode ROCKS!!!! You can feel the entire track surface and what's happening with grip. Car corners stupid flat for a street car!

Have fun!

 

[PrimeTime]

speedwaymotors.com and/or eBay will have you sorted
Walmart will just have it fulfilled through speedway anyways.

Thank you sir.

 

[KatyTxCT5V]

speedwaymotors.com and/or eBay will have you sorted
Walmart will just have it fulfilled through speedway anyways.

I got my M1 0w-40 Supercar from speedwaymotors.com. Fast shipping and no issues.

 

[SynisterAZ]

My plan for my 4BW is to do a oil change myself at 1500mi with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and a OE PF63 filter but then not reset the oil life monitor. Then Ill get the dealer freebie change around 25% life remaining and run that free one until about 40% before settling in to a more regular change interval at around 30%. Im still not sure if the UPF63R is an upgrade for a stock vehicle since Ive read that its bypass pressure is higher and the current PF63 is pretty decent.

 

[OldGoat]

0W40 for the LT4.... I'm searching local to get it for the 5BW and it's hard to source local. NADA, nothing on the shelf...Maybe order online at Walmart.com?

I had my local NAPA order it. Had it next day and will now keep in stock as I'm a pretty regular customer

 

[raptor5244]

My plan for my 4BW is to do an oil change myself at 1500mi with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and a OE PF63 filter but then not reset the oil life monitor. Then Ill get the dealer freebie change around 25% life remaining and run that free one until about 40% before settling in to a more regular change interval at around 30%. Im still not sure if the UPF63R is an upgrade for a stock vehicle since Ive read that its bypass pressure is higher and the current PF63 is pretty decent.

I did the first change at 1000 miles and used the PF63. I since read about the UPF63R and bought one for the next oil change. I am not sure it is necessary either but the filter does seem a lot more beefed up. Thicker shell and a lot more metal construction inside vs the plastic on the PF63. I notice the LF4 runs at a much higher oil pressure than the V8s I owned. When the oil is still cool the pressure is at 87psi just cruising around. I would not reach 70psi on my ZL1 at WOT. It looks like the pressure on the LF4 jumps around a lot based on the cam profile. I think this is some of the thinking behind the upgraded filter but as you mentioned it is not really necessary.

 

[PrimeTime]

I had my local NAPA order it. Had it next day and will now keep in stock as I'm a pretty regular customer

Your in good favor my friend! First spot I went to was NAPA, I shop there regularly as well and they don't shelf the Supercar and did not offer to order it for me. Advanced and Orielly locally also do not carry it on the shelf for some reason? I did ask Orielly if they could order it and they said sure, at $14 a QUART! Didn't even bother to ask at Advanced, local store here is not that great. They do have the European Version 0W40! No thank you...

I'm going to give these folks a try, speedwaymotors.com.

Thanks to all for the feedback!

 

[OldGoat]

Your in good favor my friend! First spot I went to was NAPA, I shop there regularly as well and they don't shelf the Supercar and did not offer to order it for me. Advanced and Orielly locally also do not carry it on the shelf for some reason? I did ask Orielly if they could order it and they said sure, at $14 a QUART! Didn't even bother to ask at Advanced, local store here is not that great. They do have the European Version 0W40! No thank you...

I'm going to give these folks a try, speedwaymotors.com.

Thanks to all for the feedback!

I'm surprised that they weren't accommodating to your needs. Damn shame no attention to customer service anymore.

 

[PrimeTime]

I'm surprised that they weren't accommodating to your needs. Damn shame no attention to customer service anymore.

They concept may be thinning out my friend! Have a great Day! Thanks again!

 

[raptor5244]

Your in good favor my friend! First spot I went to was NAPA, I shop there regularly as well and they don't shelf the Supercar and did not offer to order it for me. Advanced and Orielly locally also do not carry it on the shelf for some reason? I did ask Orielly if they could order it and they said sure, at $14 a QUART! Didn't even bother to ask at Advanced, local store here is not that great. They do have the European Version 0W40! No thank you...

I'm going to give these folks a try, speedwaymotors.com.

Thanks to all for the feedback!

Speedwaymotors was my go to when I had my ZL1. They have kits as well (2) Cases, (12) qts plus a PF64 filter for $136. You keep the extra 2 qts and on your 3rd oil change you only need to buy 1 case.

Mobil 1 Supercar Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 0W-40, Dexos R, Case/6

Mobil 1™ Supercar 0W-40 is an advanced full synthetic motor oil specifically designed for high performance cars to provide exceptional cleaning power and wear protection, and deliver outstanding overall performance. Mobil 1™ Supercar 0W-40 is proven in high performance North American sports cars...

www.speedwaymotors.com

Mobil 1 0W40 Dexos R 12 Quart Oil/AC Delco PF64 Filter Change Kit

Kit Includes: (12) Mobil 1 Supercar Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 0W-40, Dexos R (1) AC Delco PF64 Professional Oil Filter, GM 6.2L, 3.6L, L4 Mobil 1 Supercar Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 0W-40, Dexos R Mobil 1™ Supercar 0W-40 is an advanced full synthetic motor oil specifically designed for high...

www.speedwaymotors.com

 

[OldGoat]

How many quarts does the 4 take? My 5 takes 9, mobil cases come in 6 packs, so I have 3 extras for next change. I'm just about 3k miles did my own at 1500 and will monitor oil life for dealer freebie.