Oil Options

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

I don’t want to be involved on what is the best oil, the best brake, the best …., reducing weight, etc discussion because personally, I would like to view a car as a total package so I’ll try to keep this simple.


While all these test data from the manufacture and discussion on Forum is useful to a certain level, without knowing the C30A and C32B engine design spec, oil temperature, oil pressure being used, fuel spec and so on, a certain oil showed very good test result under one test condition doesn’t mean it is the best for our engine.


If you are after the so called ‘the best’ engine oil, then it is the one specially blended for our engine spec with purpose, requirement, running environment, fuel spec, etc in mind.


This is why we used to use specially blended engine oil for the F1 engine with the aid from the special fuel additive (which is no longer allowed by the FIA regulation) and the oil/fuel blend was even changed based on circuit simulation, dyno test with circuit mode and so on.


Obviously, something good for F1 engine doesn’t mean it is also good for our engine.


I heard from my friend that several engine oils were tested on the engine dyno in endurance mode using C30A engine.


It’s very old data as you can imagine but I’ll just stick with what I was told, what I have been using even the oil technology advanced and even the actual blend of this oil was changed since it was tested on the dyno.


Personally, if you are using the standard pump fuel and mainly street driving, then as long as it meets the specific API ILSAC standard and the viscosity close to the one in the manual, it will be fine as long as you replace it regularly.


So far, I haven’t seen or heard big drop in compression or noticeable difference in wear because of the engine oil difference using Japanese standard pump fuel.


May be different result in different country as so many conditions are different.


Instead of worrying about which engine oil to be used, I would spend the time and money on monitoring the engine oil temperature if you drive very hard or if you track your NSX.


You will be surprised how quickly it reaches 120degC and even over 130degC on track under hot weather.


I'm quite sure other people has different view so I'll just carry on using the same oil on my NSX for R&D purpose.


Hope to take out the engine again in the future for inspection and cleaning.


Kaz