diesel oil on sr20det

[Options13]

i have searched and found only 1 post about how diesel oil is good for our turboed engines (sr20det)

on my motor right now i am currently using 15W-40 amsoil diesel oil for my motor, my friends are saying is way to thick.

does anybody else use diesel oil? is there any benefits/downsides?

i see a lot of people running 10w-30, but i hear that, that is practically water in the summer time.

[rb25_s13*CHUKI]

In summer time I run 20w-50. winter 10w-30 non diesel oil

[karl wasabi]

I run Rotella 15w40 oil all season in my daily and my RB20 powered 240.

It works great for my 6 cylinder cars. I've never tried it on anything else though.

[2fast4y0u]

i ran ams oil 20w 50 for a long time. i am an ams oil dealer so i tried it out and loved it.
i now run valvoline vr-1. straight 50w
thinking about switching to brad keen, green oil. heard its awesome.

[codyace]

Any major oil brand is going to work fine. Rotella T is a nice oil (what we run in our big rigs) but I personally use Mobil 1, as it's often easier to source when going to events or tracks.

[Rag]

All my vehicles run on shell rotella 15w40. AMC 4.0L striaght 6, ka24e, mopar sohc 2.0L. My 7m runs whatever the cheapest garbage i can find.

The high amount of detergents in rotella is nice.

[Homer_Simpson]

Currently its Mobil 1, but I'm going to try Rotella on the SR the next time I change my oil. This stuff could be found at Walmart so it seems that availability is not a problem.

[Prok0]

I run 15-40 diesel oil in my SR.

Lots of detergents, and lots of zinc. Pretty sweet.

[besTint]

wow, really? diesel oil? hmm... sounds interesting.

[TheRealSy90]

I run Mobil1 15w-50 full synthetic year round, never had a problem.

[lennex06]

I run 15-40 diesel oil in my SR.

Lots of detergents, and lots of zinc. Pretty sweet.


need more info on this.

[fliprayzin240sx]

I run either 15-50W Mobil1 or 20-50W Royal Purple...

[Prok0]

need more info on this.

Whats there to know, the diesel oil has more detergents then regular oil for the most point, so your motor stays clean.

And diesel oil generally has much higher zinc levels then conventional oil (EPA mandated levels be significantly reduced in conventional oil, but not diesel oil)

Go on google and search for Flat Tappet camshaft failure and low zinc content oil...
Flat Tappet Cam Tech - How to Prevent and Fix Cam and Lifter Failure - Hot Rod Magazine (http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/flat_tappet_cam_tech/index.html)

SR is basically a flat tappet style motor, and zinc is good for flat tappet style motors/ all motors in general.

The only reason they really dont recommend using diesel oil in regular cars is that the added zinc clogs/fucks up cats, but who on here with a modded SR is actually running a cat?

[lazysk8er2]

so the mobile 1 delvac oil is ok?

[Options13]

thank you prok0, the answer i was looking for

[JeremyR]

just switched to the rotella 5w-40 full syn today...gonna see how i like it, was tempted to try the 15-40 but not sure if i wanna switch to the conventional..

i DD my sr20 btw. CA heat is killing me :( and royal purple 10-30 was not doing its job

[j20accord00]

i ran rotella in my f250 till i switched to valvoline premium blue synthetic.

imo valvoline is a way better oil then the rotella..my dad runs the valvoline in his 250, 350 and 550 now and likes it.

my uncle owns a truck shop and has rotella on tap. hes old and swears by it.

If i was using diesel oil in my car it would be valvoline. its expensive and kind of hard to find. I order it from napa.

and my truck is no "work truck" by any means

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/J20accord00/th_Evansruns2008_09_22_18_28_59.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v230/J20accord00/?action=view&current=Evansruns2008_09_22_18_28_59.flv)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/J20accord00/th_123cecil1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v230/J20accord00/?action=view&current=123cecil1.flv)

[joeapple8]

just switched to the rotella 5w-40 full syn today...gonna see how i like it, was tempted to try the 15-40 but not sure if i wanna switch to the conventional..

i DD my sr20 btw. CA heat is killing me :( and royal purple 10-30 was not doing its job


bitch please, you don't DD your car...

[vvtisupra]

its pretty simple. Off the shelf oils have to comply with certain ratings as far as emissions and additives. diesel oils are more lenient. Zinc content which helps decrease wear is higher in concentration.

however i run the good stuff
15-50W Neo Synthetic all day

[shinobis13hb]

how isdeisel on the track ? does it break down les,s more , or the same?

[slider2828]

Are you for realz? Just run amsoil signature or hi performance 10-30 or 10-40... but seriously amsoil makes the best oils period no doubt. Why would you also run diesel oil, I just don't get it... Personally I run Redline or Amsoil HI Perf and definitely turbo sounds nice and smooth and I swear spools better than mobil 1 because I ran that before....

But then again I track and also street my 240sx but I still change oil like 3000 miles or less.... So hard to say on longevity but amsoil really doesn't blacken like any other oil, which I assume is break down of the oils....

[DRIFTING_SIL_EIGHTY]

so the mobile 1 delvac oil is ok?

Thats all that Garage Boso uses on the S15. But yea, i guess its all about the detergents in them. But I think you have to change your oil more often ? Dont recall.

[Options13]

well amsoil is available locally for me, and i want to get 15w-40 but its only available in diesel oil, not high performance.

so i guess im just gonna pick up some more 15w-40 diesel amsoil tomorrow! hasn't failed me yet.

[slider2828]

You can order it too from their website, its about the same price as picking it up except for shipping... you should also look for local amsoil dealer from people not from stores.... those guys will hoook you up...

[D.Adams]

so the mobile 1 delvac oil is ok?

I have ran Mobile Delvac for the last 2+ years in my turbo car's its the shit. Some say rotella some say AMS oil but to each there own. I ran Royal Rurple for a long time till i was told buy a pro am drifter about Delvac and then went to a mobile 1 oil showdown in Torrance Ca and mobile 1 beat most oil's plus i found out way more about Delvac. I pay $16 everytime i change my oil on my sr ................... Delvac + K&N filter = pure win.

The only reason they really dont recommend using diesel oil in regular cars is that the added zinc clogs/fucks up cats, but who on here with a modded SR is actually running a cat?

[Prok0]

Are you for realz? Just run amsoil signature or hi performance 10-30 or 10-40... but seriously amsoil makes the best oils period no doubt. Why would you also run diesel oil, I just don't get it... Personally I run Redline or Amsoil HI Perf and definitely turbo sounds nice and smooth and I swear spools better than mobil 1 because I ran that before....

But then again I track and also street my 240sx but I still change oil like 3000 miles or less.... So hard to say on longevity but amsoil really doesn't blacken like any other oil, which I assume is break down of the oils....

Im convinced amsoil is more or less a ridiculous marketing ploy brought against retards and rednecks. The shit is honestly not that great. Me and a friend did some testing when we rented out a local drag strip, did passes, pulled oil samples to send off to Blackstone to have analyzed, and then changed oil/filter, and of the 5 or so oils we had tested, amsoil, some valvoline, mobil, and like redline or something, dont remember exactly as this was 5-6 years ago, mobil 1 performed the best, and its readily available. We didnt test any diesel oil though, but Im sure it would perform relatively well..

And as for the blackening of the oil, it has to do with the amount of detergents in the oil, the more detergents in the oil the more it is going to pull contaminants from your motor and leave suspended in the oil, leaving the black dirty appearance... Its not that the oil is breaking down, its that its doing its job...Thats why when you use diesel oil (which have high amounts of detergents) the oil appears to dirty more quickly then other oils...

[sirfallsalot243]

5-6 years ago was also when Mobile 1 was a REAL synthetic. Those days are long gone.

[lazysk8er2]

I have ran Mobile Delvac for the last 2+ years in my turbo car's its the shit. Some say rotella some say AMS oil but to each there own. I ran Royal Rurple for a long time till i was told buy a pro am drifter about Delvac and then went to a mobile 1 oil showdown in Torrance Ca and mobile 1 beat most oil's plus i found out way more about Delvac. I pay $16 everytime i change my oil on my sr ................... Delvac + K&N filter = pure win.




I run a cat on my sr and i haven't had a issue yet. I half to around here the home owners association makes me. If i take it off for even a day i get told my car is to laud and i got to park it on the next street over.



Yea actually i heard about the delvac the same way but some more advanced racers but was a little uneasy. I guess the next time i change my oil thats what im gonna do but the temp does change pretty drastically in new york so 10-40 for the winter now.

Also i doubt a cat will make the car Sound different if you still have your resonator and mufflers in. I dont think catalytic converters fluctuate tones or frequencies just the amount of debris and fumes cars emitt.

[D.Adams]

Also i doubt a cat will make the car Sound different if you still have your resonator and mufflers in. I dont think catalytic converters fluctuate tones or frequencies just the amount of debris and fumes cars emitt.


The cat dramatically lowers the tone. I have a full 3'' exhaust when im not home for a while i will put in the test pipe but now im to lazy to do it so i just run the cat. The cat loweres the drone and noise.

[lazysk8er2]

The cat dramatically lowers the tone. I have a full 3'' exhaust when im not home for a while i will put in the test pipe but now im to lazy to do it so i just run the cat. The cat loweres the drone and noise.

wow never knew that. good to know tho.

is it a straight pipe or do you have mufflers and res. and etc?

i know i used to get complaints too in my old neighborhood it was a little ritzy and snotty. got a letter in the mail every day.

[D.Adams]

wow never knew that. good to know tho.

is it a straight pipe or do you have mufflers and res. and etc?

i know i used to get complaints too in my old neighborhood it was a little ritzy and snotty. got a letter in the mail every day.


all i have is 3'' pipe to apexi muffler nothing else. So the cat helps

[CTechLite]

My vehicle is using 5w40 Renewable Lubricants HD diesel oil. It was recommended to be used by Mr Dyson at Blackstone labs specifically for my non cat turbo car after an oil analysis.

[aNskY]

5-6 years ago was also when Mobile 1 was a REAL synthetic. Those days are long gone.


M1 extended performance is still full syn.

[JVD]

I run rotella T in all my cars.

The machine shop here recommended it, and I don't see any problems yet. Fairly cheap too so I change more often.

[Choku_Dorian]

One of my buddies used to study/work with oil, engineer, or... don't know what his actual title was but he knew everything there is to know about oil and he told me to run diesel oil in my sr.

Something about the two different weights that are in oil, the first being very low is good for when the motor is cool and the higher the second weight the better when it is hot, I may be totally wrong in my feable attempt at explaining it. But it sounded right when he said it, and I trust his advice on the subject for sure.

[Homer_Simpson]

Also i doubt a cat will make the car Sound different if you still have your resonator and mufflers in. I dont think catalytic converters fluctuate tones or frequencies just the amount of debris and fumes cars emitt.

With the cat on it is significantly quieter, at least it was for me.

[unreal-]

I run 5w40 Mobil1 turbodiesel in my KA. It loves it, and run quieter ever since i started using it. and it also seems to leak less.

[K_style]

Is 5W-40 is only kind available for Rotella T6 ???

[sirfallsalot243]

With the cat on it is significantly quieter, at least it was for me.

I lost 30whp after tuning, just by adding a cat.

Throw a big resonator in there, itll have the same effect and wont rape you for power.

[Homer_Simpson]

I lost 30whp after tuning, just by adding a cat.

Throw a big resonator in there, itll have the same effect and wont rape you for power.
3 inch cat or the stock cat?

[D.Adams]

I lost 30whp after tuning, just by adding a cat.

Throw a big resonator in there, itll have the same effect and wont rape you for power.


ehhh you must have been using a stock cat

i have a high flow 3'' and i can hardly tell the loss of power

[Homer_Simpson]

ehhh you must have been using a stock cat

i have a high flow 3'' and i can hardly tell the loss of power
^^This. I'm using a 3" Catco and it dramatically quiet down the exhaust while at the same time does not make the car perform any less (butt dyno) compared to the straight pipe.

[racepar1]

Diesel oil is good to run for break in and to clean out a dirty engine. It has a lot of detergents and additives in it that are no longer in regular motor oil.

I personally run diesel oil all the time in any car that is just a daily/grocery getter.

I use synthetic oil in my 240 because it's driven harder and synthetic oil is more resistant to breaking down.

[smelly240]

no joke - i been running rotellaT 15w40 for 3 months now - cheap, motor is happy, and it seems to keep everything clean

[TUnity2]

Whats there to know, the diesel oil has more detergents then regular oil for the most point, so your motor stays clean.

And diesel oil generally has much higher zinc levels then conventional oil (EPA mandated levels be significantly reduced in conventional oil, but not diesel oil)

Go on google and search for Flat Tappet camshaft failure and low zinc content oil...
Flat Tappet Cam Tech - How to Prevent and Fix Cam and Lifter Failure - Hot Rod Magazine (http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/flat_tappet_cam_tech/index.html)

SR is basically a flat tappet style motor, and zinc is good for flat tappet style motors/ all motors in general.

The only reason they really dont recommend using diesel oil in regular cars is that the added zinc clogs/fucks up cats, but who on here with a modded SR is actually running a cat?
Look at this response! it has facts! I'm going with rotela on my next oil change for my SR. Mobil1 is just getting to expensive.

[K_style]

I run Rotella 15w40 oil all season in my daily and my RB20 powered 240.

It works great for my 6 cylinder cars. I've never tried it on anything else though.

what kind of Rotella are you using ?

[undesiredshoe]

Rotella T 15w40 in my turbo sohc with 186k miles.....runs like a beast.

[Tokona-x]

I have been using diesel oil in my Ka motor and my girls Honda motor for 6 years now with out a problem and i have yet to see it do anything to the CAT's just passed smog a few months ago and everything is good ! Oh and i dont run the oil because of preference, I just get it for free so i use it lol. I use mobile 15w 40

[Z33dori]

just switched to Delo 400LE 15w-40 in the Z... heavy duty diesel w/ zinc

[Drose]

So I run valvoline synthetic, 5w-30 in winter and 10w-30 in summer. You guys seem to run thicker oils. Is mine cool for mostly daily driving?

[D.Adams]

So I run valvoline synthetic, 5w-30 in winter and 10w-30 in summer. You guys seem to run thicker oils. Is mine cool for mostly daily driving?


You are in Vegas i would try to run 10w-30 year around. I run 15w-40 here and i know it gets just as hot there as it does there.

So i did cams last night in my sr and i did notice how clean my motor is inside now. Im in love with mobile delvac

[TPS240sxS13]

I used rotella T in my 240 when I rebuild the KA and was breaking it in. Then again for the first oil change. Never saw a problem. In my AE86 I ran Valvoline 5w-30 synthetic till I wasnt getting oil pressure high enough anf I blew my headgasket (that was my fault). Now I have Mobil 1 10w-30, why? It was on sale at oreillys, thats it. Next oil change I am putting in Valvoline again, mainly because I work at a Valvoline.

[Options13]

gesus, i didn't think this thread would blow up like this, lol

i read somewhere that a few d1 drivers love 15w-40 diesel amsoil.

then again, this is the internet..

[199240sxcoupe]

question
freshly rebuilt ka. 0 mile motor will i see a problem if i run 15-40? as far as oil starvation since it has 0 miles?

[let5l1de]

question
freshly rebuilt ka. 0 mile motor will i see a problem if i run 15-40? as far as oil starvation since it has 0 miles?

I typically use a medium viscosity synthetic oil (such as 30) for performance or standard oem build engines. Using a lower viscosity oil enables the oil pump to push the oil through the smaller orifices of a dry engine faster than using a viscosity of 40 or higher.

~m

[TPS240sxS13]

question
freshly rebuilt ka. 0 mile motor will i see a problem if i run 15-40? as far as oil starvation since it has 0 miles?

I ran mine on 15w-40 rotella T from 0 miles. No problems

[Hashiriya415]

Here is a lecture from a guy that works for Redline he came over to my class, I didn't record everything, but there is some good info here. It was a long lecture from him like 3 hours.
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture1.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture1.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture2.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture2.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture3.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture3.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture4.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture4.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture5.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture5.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture6.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture6.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture7.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture7.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture8.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture8.flv)
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/th_Redlinelecture9.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p6/Hashiriya415/Video/?action=view&current=Redlinelecture9.flv)

[hOngsterr]

run green oil! lol

[JeremyR]

cliffs of the video? i dotn want to sit through it all

[let5l1de]

4cyl turbo engines should use a synthetic oil with the viscosity of 30 for mild performance/low to medium boost applications or a viscosity 40 for med to severe duty high boost applications.
Note: Lower viscosity oils may enable a turbo to spin-up easier. (reduces turbo spin-up time)

High detergent engine oil promotes cleaner, long engine life for most street or mild performance applications.

Low or non-detergent oils should be used for extreme duty race application. Reasons for using a non detergent oil in race application is that the reduction of "cleaning molecules" gives up its space for more "friction reducing molecules". Also the fact that race engines do not last long or may be frequently rebuilt.

[s13coupe1988]

sorry to bump and old thread but i am thinking of running diesel oil 15w-40 MOBIL DELVAC or do i have to run a mobil 1 diesel

[199240sxcoupe]

also would i see any effects from using mobil 1 and going to diesel oil?

[s13coupe1988]

Anybody running mobil 15-40 delvac diesel MOTOR oil?

[Mr.GT30]

i used Redline 15w-50 all year long

[upsdude]

is most of this stuff available at the local autozone? i don't think i've ever seen rotella T oil. or i just never noticed :P

[vvtisupra]

becareful what racing oils you use. Some companies previously discussed in this thread use powder based additives that get clumpy under hard use. However most owners on zilvia tracking or not will most likely not see these conditions.

Thats why i use Neo Synthetic tried and trued on all sorts of conditions. From Trophy Trucks, sprint cars , nascars, time attack cars, formula atlantic etc etc.
They don't sell a dumb down version of their oil. What you buy off the shelf is what these teams get off the shelf, except when requesting specific weights.

I push their oil because its still family based and all about quality over quantity.

[D.Adams]

Anybody running mobil 15-40 delvac diesel MOTOR oil?


This is the Oil i run. Love it and wouldnt run anything else.

[s13coupe1988]

what motor do you have?
This is the Oil i run. Love it and wouldnt run anything else.

[Homer_Simpson]

is most of this stuff available at the local autozone? i don't think i've ever seen rotella T oil. or i just never noticed :P
Rotella is sold in the automotive section at Walmart.

[s14unimog]

Note: Lower viscosity oils may enable a turbo to spin-up easier. (reduces turbo spin-up time)

Please explain this more... Also add additional information considering differences in turbo bearings...


I run Valvoline 15w-40 Conventional

s13 SR20DET - 394hp - used this oil for more than 3 years.

I was also under the understanding that diesel oils have less friction modifiers and so the oil clings to surfaces more. Which makes sense if you consider the typical RPM range and oil pressure created when say pulling a heavy load....

[lennex06]

Whats there to know, the diesel oil has more detergents then regular oil for the most point, so your motor stays clean.

And diesel oil generally has much higher zinc levels then conventional oil (EPA mandated levels be significantly reduced in conventional oil, but not diesel oil)

Go on google and search for Flat Tappet camshaft failure and low zinc content oil...
Flat Tappet Cam Tech - How to Prevent and Fix Cam and Lifter Failure - Hot Rod Magazine (http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/flat_tappet_cam_tech/index.html)

SR is basically a flat tappet style motor, and zinc is good for flat tappet style motors/ all motors in general.

The only reason they really dont recommend using diesel oil in regular cars is that the added zinc clogs/fucks up cats, but who on here with a modded SR is actually running a cat?


well shoot. I have a ka24de motor rebuilt and all. can I put that in. or would it mess up. I wanna try something new. just hope nothing messes up. No cat as well.

[skylinrcr01]

Hey guys, umm I dont know if anyone here will know the answer to this but here it goes. Can I run diesel oil in my my NA camaro? Also why is it that after you run synthetic once you cant switch back to traditional? Or is that just a fallacy?

[chituntang]

If you can mix synthetic oil with normal oil, why cannot you mix normal oil with synthetic oil?

I do not see why you cannot run diesel oil in your NA Camaro...

[skylinrcr01]

The syntheitc oil thing is something my high school auto teacher told me that I've just believed for 4 years I guess lol. He said it was bad for the engine, and that you cant go back and fourth. Now I guess I'm switchin to diesel though. Thanks!

[kb1991]

20w 50...summer 15w 40 winter

[miggypq21]

I run Rotella T 15W-40 love that stuff

[VQdriver]

I'm located in NJ and am using Rotella T 5W-40 (full synthetic) year round in my SR making apx 355whp on an older Garrett 2540R turbo (since 2004) and no catalyst. It seems to be working well (knock on wood) for me and I rarely drive the car. It has gone a full year without a change and I'm looking to do routine maintenance soon. I don't have any lab results to verify it but the motor and turbo seem to like it. At shutoff I can still hear the turbo spinning.

The turbo Z33 and V35 guys have labeled it as a "darkhorse" oil with good value and performance in terms of lab results. They tend to be real picky when it comes to their oil and lab results. The only thing that irks me is that this oil only comes in 4qt containers and my SR uses a Greddy oilpan and relocation kit requiring a full 5qts.

I might try German Castrol 0W-30. I use this on my DD G35. People say it's actually closer to a 40wt and also tests very well among various makes (Subaru, Z33/V35 guys). You can routinely find buy 5qts and get a free filter sales at the popular autoparts stores ~$30. Anyone find any bad reviews with the German Castrol on the SR motor?

[sidedrifts13]

mobil delvac 15-40 is on sale at kragen $7.99 a gallon wow i love this oil

[bejota180sx]

i REALLY hate to bump a old thread but i think that this info would be good to add to this thread for future references instead of having two separate threads.

my question is, i've read about downside of changing on SRs from mineral oil to synthetic because of the possibility uncloging stuff that the mineral oil has "sealed" with "gunk" and similar theories and stories.

How about changing from regular mineral oil to Rotella 15w40? would that have any downside because of the increase in detergents? or have absolutetly no ill effects? i've been using castrol gtx 10w30 if that changes anything...