Any problems changing from a 50wt to a 20w-50?

[fsstnotch]

Going home next week and will have my race car back on the track by memorial day. The motor has about 30 laps on it (dirt track) on straight 50wt oil. I want to change to Joe Gibbs XP5 20w50 semi-synthetic. I don't think there would be any problems, but want to make sure. Motor is built for high rpm circle track.

Oh... and gasp.... it's a SBC! So it is delicate and I don't want to break it!!! haha

BTW, I would have posted this on the dirt forums but they are down for maintanence and I want to place my order for oils and a new spool asap.

Thanks guys

[RICK LAKE]

fsstnotch Josh, Why do you want to switch? You will pick up a couple of ponies and a mule but the cost is about 3-1 on price. There should be no problem, just keep an eye on the oil pressure. You may loose aout 5 psi hot. Rick L. Ps keep you head down and be careful. We will let the SBC go for now.

[fsstnotch]

Well, it's only a SBC because it's in a monte and the motor has to match the car. Fords are too expensive to dirt track. It's just a fun hobby, not a living. Otherwise it would be a ford for sure!!! haha

As far as the switch, I figured there was no point to throw away a couple hp with old tech oil. I THINK, I could run more laps on an oil change with the gibbs stuff? So I figured that would make up some of the cost. the gibbs website says I should be able to do like 500 laps (based on 3/8th mile) with 2 filter changes in between. Of course that depends on how dirty the track is. Usually for my class it is pretty wet still, but the feature is getting dry.

What do you recommend Rick? Stick with the dino, or switch?

4 days till I leave, 6 till I'm home!!!

[RICK LAKE]

fsstnotch Josh I believe in the KISS method. Keep it simple Stupid. IMO changing the filters only removes what's inside. It doesn't freshen up the oil. I am old school, I change my oil when it looses it's smooth slippery feel. I do 2 changes a year. I think the big thing is getting the oil up to temp before racing. I have used Valvoline for 30+ years. Only in the last 8 years have I gone to adding EOS and Lucas oil suppliments. After the last rocker assembly failure, I think this helped save my motor from real bearing damage. I have read over and over about synthetic being better. For the price of being almost half and putting in new oil instead of pushing old oil, I stay old. You didnot say how hot you motor got from racing? Can you put a truck radiator in the monte with the engine oil cooler in the tank? I am not familiar with the rules for dirt track classes. This would go along way to helping the motor oil Rick

[fsstnotch]

Rick, the reason for the filter changes isn't to freshen up the oil. In dirt racing, the oil gets very dirty depending on how dusty the track is. Replacing the filters nearly weekly just ensures the dirt particles stay out of the important things.

Engine can get up to around 230 at times. It usually gets shut down at that point... unless of course there si a lap or 2 left and it's close. Revving the motor during cautions brings the temp down. Usually the temp stays around 210-220. It does get up there.

Motor is 12:1 355, double hump heads w/larger valves, victor jr intake, 2bbl holley 500, Tight Lash Cam Duration @ .50 on intake 252 on exhaust 260 Lobe Lift on intake .361 on exhaust .370 Lobe Separation 106 Seat Duration @ .20 on intake 281 on exhaust 289 Gross Valve Lift on intake .542 on exhaust .555 solid lift.

It's not too bad for a chebby. It gets the car around the track just fine! :P RPM's are usually 6500-7000 with a 6.50 rear gear

So you think maybe it'd be good to run the 50wt and some lucas then?

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

Josh,

GO HOME...

Gregg H
Bags are packed ready to roll

[fsstnotch]

haha

I'm ready. It still hasn't hit me that i'm leaving in 3 days.... I'm not even all packed up yet. But it will only take 5 minutes for me to finish.