High performance motor oils are an essential component of any engine build, providing critical protection and enhancing performance. Engine oils play a crucial role in lubricating moving parts, reducing friction, cooling engine components, and removing contaminants from the engine. Choosing the right motor oil for your engine is an essential part of the engine build as it can significantly affect the longevity, efficiency and power of your engine.
One of the main advantages of high-performance motor oils is their ability to handle high temperatures and extreme pressures, factors that have only become more important as engine builders continue to increase horsepower. High-performance engines generate a lot of heat and require oils that can withstand extreme conditions without breaking down.
In drag racing vehicles, the intense internal forces can flatten crankshaft bearings and destroy valve springs in a single pass. As a result, race teams must rebuild engines frequently. Foaming and the lack of physical separation between metal parts can cause the oil to lose its ability to lubricate, protect and cool.
To combat these problems, high performance oil for racing applications is manufactured with specific additives. These additives include zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP, or zinc and phosphorus), moly, boron and other anti-wear additives. Heat and pressure can activate these anti-wear additives, producing a sacrificial film that protects engine parts.
In addition, high-performance motor oil for racing applications contains anti-foam additives and ZDDP, as well as friction modifiers, which can unlock hidden torque and power gains. These additives also improve the effectiveness of high performance lubricants.
“DA Lubricant Company’s PennGrade 1 family of high-performance products is formulated with unique, premium base oils, a performance-based additive system that includes enhanced levels of ZDDP and a viscosity modification system extremely stable (multigrade only),” says marketing director Bobbi Brophy. . “This approach promotes exceptional viscosity retention and film strength. PennGrade 1’s inherent tenacious adhesion allows the oil to ‘hold on’ to internal components. This highly effective combination equates to superior protection under severe load and highly stressed conditions.In addition, maximum power can be achieved by addressing the bearing play by using a lighter viscosity lubricant and revising the fuel source.
Headlining the PennGrade 1 portfolio is SAE 30 bearing oil and engine assembly lubricant. Next is PennGrade 1 synthetic blend available in SAE 5w-30, 10w-30, 10w-40, 15w-40 and 20w-50. Next up are the traditional monogrades of SAE 30, 40, 50 and 60 with the specially designed Nitro 70 used in the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes of racing. DA also offers a PennGrade 1 V2 4-stroke motorcycle oil in SAE 10w-40 and 20w-50. The current portfolio wraps up with a trio of gear lubricants in the Limited Slip GL-5 SAE 80w-90, Multi-Purpose “Classic” GL-4 SAE 80w-90 and Full Synthetic Hypoid Gear/Blower Racing SAE 75w-90 .
It is important to note that most competition and performance oriented motor oils are synthetic, consisting of chemical compounds that are artificially modified or synthesized. Synthetic lubricants can be manufactured using chemically modified petroleum components instead of whole crude oil. The NTT INDYCAR Series uses Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0w-40, which is one of their premium synthetic products, and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Racing PLUS 0w-20, which is designed for track use only.
Choosing the correct performance competition oil is essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your engine. Here are some of the reasons why choosing the right oil is important:
1. Improved engine performance
Performance competition oils are formulated to provide optimal lubrication and protection for high performance engines. By using a racing oil designed specifically for your engine, you can improve engine performance and maximize power.
2. Increased engine protection
Performance competition oils are designed to provide superior protection against wear, oxidation and deposits, which can cause engine damage and decrease performance. By choosing the right oil, you can ensure that your engine is protected against these common problems.
3. Extended engine life
A high-performance motor can be a significant investment, so it’s important to protect it properly. By using a performance racing oil designed to provide optimal protection, you can extend the life of your engine, its components and avoid costly repairs.
4. Consistent performance
Performance racing oils are formulated to deliver consistent performance, even in extreme conditions. This means your engine’s performance is repeatable and can even improve if changes are made to components or tuning, regardless of whether you’re racing or just street driving.
When choosing a performance racing oil, it is essential to consider the viscosity rating, which is the measurement of the thickness of the oil. Thicker oils provide better protection, while thinner oils provide better fuel economy. It is important to choose the right viscosity rating for your engine to ensure optimal performance and protection.
“If you’re building an engine from the ground up, you’d look at the bearing clearances, which would be your starting point when determining which oil to choose,” says Amsoil’s Len Groom.
In general, the tighter the bearing clearance, the less viscosity the engine can use, while wider clearances require thicker oil. Amsoil has its own line of Dominator Series motor oils in various viscosities built specifically for racing.
Its competition-proven anti-friction chemistry provides an extra measure of protection against piston wear and bearing wear. Superior film strength provides protection in engines that can exceed 10,000 rpm. Synthetic motor oil burns clean and helps keep the ring from sticking and sticking.
“There are many ways to build any oil,” says Groom. “The approach we take at Amsoil is to look at the oil appetite of the particular application and determine what it will do. If it’s a drag racing engine, you can build a very different product than if it were , let’s call it a circuit engine. When we build a racing oil line that has to try to encompass all of those things, you’re trying to create versatility, but still focus on protection, which is the most important part.” .
Choosing the correct performance competition oil is essential to ensure optimal engine performance, protection and longevity. By considering factors such as viscosity, base oil type and additives, you can choose a racing oil that is designed specifically for your engine and will provide the protection and performance you need. Remember to always consult your engine manufacturer, owner’s manual, or a trusted, certified mechanic for information on which oil to use for your specific vehicle. EB
