Dave W.

Be aware that cold oil is thick oil, and viscous drag tries to spin the rod bearings if you rev the engine too high before it's warmed up. I like to use tight bearing clearances and thick oil, so I generally keep it below 4k rpm until the oil temp reaches 160*F.

Cloud9...68

My 1/2 quart after a 25-minute estimate is probably high - it's probably more like 1/4 of a quart. I check the oil level after every other session or so, but never saw it budge over several years of checking, so I didn't check it for four sessions or so, and was alarmed to find the level at the halfway point on the dip stick. I topped it up, ran another session, and checked it again, and was down maybe 1/8" below the top line, which doesn't sound like much, but it's not normal behavior for my engine. I sent an oil sample to Blackstone Labs today, and will do a compression test after refilling with fresh oil (unless the analysis tells me my engine is toast, which seems unlikely, as it isn't smoking, and still seems to be making decent power), but I have to order some more oil. If the analysis and compression test indicate things aren't all well with my engine, I agree that I should start a new thread and seek advice on what I should do. Thanks for the advice.

ekoz

good advice....I didn't have an oil temp gauge before (do now) and I'm surprised how long it takes the oil to come up to temp. granted it is cold here but still. The coolant is warm by the time I'm out of the subdivision but it seems like the oil takes forever. I'm sure I was on the track a time or two with "cold" before based on what I see now. live and learn.

Cloud9...68

Sorry to have sidetracked this thread a little, but it was very timely considering the sudden spike in my engine's oil consumption, but something occurred to me. My sudden increase in oil consumption coincides exactly with the replacement of my 255/40-17 tires with 275/35-17's (both on 17 x 10.5" Signature SV103 forged alloys). The tires definitely increased the car's grip, so that I'm able to get to full throttle significantly earlier than before, with the net effect of being at full throttle for a larger percentage of a lap than with the previous tires. This combined with the new tires' extra weight and rolling resistance (they're a stickier compound, with a 100 wear rating), results in significantly more strain on my modest output engine. Could this extra demand on the engine explain the higher oil consumption, without there necessarily being anything fundamentally wrong? The oil analysis should shed some light, but I was wondering if my theory is plausible. Thanks.

MAGK944

michaelmount123

Didn't mean to create confusion... The valves are specific to the type of cylinder head. DO NOT swap the valve for one that's meant for a different style cylinder head.

ekoz

Theory is certainly plausible. I think the running joke is "I just turned my fasted lap and then the engine let loose". Which is exactly what happened to me....I was banging the rev limiter in 4th gear down the straight, which I never did before because I bought some sticky track tires and could exit the oval quicker.

Thought I'd post a pic....since I've been driving it everyday putting on miles.....225 so far. Had these spare wheels in the garage so put them on since they have street rubber. the track tires were just too damn annoying for driving around.