Hi, I have a question about the JR supercharger setup on a d16y8 (Civic ex) engine:

I'm currently using Mobil-1 10W-30 engine oil. Is this grade ok, or should I switch to the 15W-50 instead?

I have the high output fuel pump and the boost upgrade kit (shows about 8.5 psi boost). I was wondering whether this 10W-30 oil is too thin for a boosted engine. Thanks for any help .

 

You shouldn't run any oil much thicker than what the engine was designed to use. Running thick oil to stop smoking or ticks isn't very wise. Most cases you're just masking the problems that you should be fixing your attention on. Too thick and you could risk oil starving some parts of the engine. Most factory boosted cars recommend 5-30 or 10-30 depending on your climate. I'd stick with 10-30 i've always ran that in my engine.

 

i've been running mobil 1 5-30 on my greddy civic for a while now and it works fine. i haven't really noticed any difference between that and 10-30

 

Thanks. No I don't have any ticks or smoke or other problems. I've only had the boost for about two months. I just thought that since the piston is coming down with more force, that maybe the 10W-30 doesn't provide a thick enough "cushion". But if you're all using the -30 oils, I'm gonna stick with it !

 

10w30 is perfectly fine.

 

mobil1 makes and oil for turbo cars it has a red top its by all the other oil at the parts stores and its actually cheaper by the gallon at wal-mart. its about $5 bucks a quart here but a 5 quart bottle at wal-mart is only $19.00

 

I'm running a similar setup...JRSC with all the typical mods (CAI, Exhaust) MSD complete ignition system with external coil and 24 lb/hr fuel injectors...stick with 5-30, that's what I use.

If you're car is anything similar to mine you'll have great difficulty reaching the oil filter (might be because my lower tie bar up front) but grab a K&N gold filter and 4 quarts of Royal purple 5-30 and make friends with someone who has a lift. Happy oilin'

 

Are you talking about 20w50, the "performance" oil?

 

ya thats it, ive been using that for about 3 years and never had a problem

 

That's some thick stuff. You're welcome to use whatever you want, but every turbocharged vehicle I've played with (Porsche, DSM, Dodge Daytona, Saab, Audi, Chevy) short of turbo-diesels has a manufacturer recommendation for 5w30/10w30.

[edit] Oops, it's Mobil1 15w50. Typo on my behalf. [/edit]

[edit2] Under continutal severe driving conditions (high speed corning comes to mind, with long hard turns) a thinner oil would 'slosh' to the outside edge of the oil pan thereby offering less protection to the bottom end components. A thicker oil would help in a situation like this since it'd be less likely to slosh. And my 'continual' I mean the kind of abuse a dedicated road racing car would endure, where every time the car starts it's gonna get the crap beat out of it and not a straight quarter mile at a time. The occasional stunt a daily driven vehicle may run into doesn't really count.

For those of you in a colder climate (the northern half of the US) 15w50 would offer difficulties in starting. Trying to start 15w50 or even 10w40 in below freezing weather puts a lot more strain on the starter. For this and other reasons manufacturers typically recommend running 10w30 in the summer (thicker, more protection like what I previously mentioned) and 5w30 in the winter (thinner, easier for a cold motor to push.) [/edit2]

I'm off my soapbox now.