Oil Advice & Recommendations from oilman at Opie Oils

[oilman]

Bristol Kit Car Club has invited us to start an "oil recommendations" thread here... so if you would like any oil advice or a recommendation for your car please feel free to ask here and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

To help us to give the most accurate advice possible we do need some information about your car. e.g.
Make:
Model:
Year:
Engine type:
Performance modifications:
Driving style: (road / off-road / track etc)
Any other information that may be relevant: e.g. approx BHP if modified, oil temps if known
What recommendation are you looking for? Engine, Gearbox, Diff etc.

Any oil we recommend is available to buy from us (if you would like to) for delivery throughout the UK and many destinations in Europe. We stock oils & lubricants from 9 major oil brands: Amsoil, Castrol, Fuchs, Gulf, Millers, Mobil, Motul, Redline and Silkolene, so we can supply fluids meeting the vast majority of manufacturer and international specifications.

Bristol Kit Car Club members get a discount of at least 10% on our usual prices... just choose "Bristol Kit Car Club" as your club when registering on the Opie Oils web site and enter your forum username.

Finally, if there are any products we don't stock and you have difficulty getting hold of elsewhere, let us know and we'll see if we can stock them.

We look forward to being of help!

Cheers
Guy, Opie Oils

You can also contact us by phone on +44 1209 215164
(All oils recommended are available to buy online at my web site)

[Richard]

Very good to see you folks on here 

Historically I've had good advice and help from these folks so don't be shy in asking them questions or giving them rare oil need challenges.

['The Gaffer']

A warm welcome to the club Guy and of course Opie oils.

This thread will remain 'Sticky' at the top of Tech Talk section so members can easily find, get advice and purchase oils from Opie at club discounted prices

['Mendip Wurzel']

Guy

I will give you a starter as this topic interests me .... what do you recommend for the Rover 3.5 V8

Make: Rover
Model: SD1
Year: (1976 to 1987)
Engine type: V8 / 3.5
Performance modifications: ported stage 2 head, fast road type cam, Edelbrock Performance Series carb and manifold (like Webber 500), performance exhaust.
Driving style: (road)

I currently use a fairly low detergent 20/50 oil (Halfords Classic). Rover V8's run with a low oil pressure so this thicker oil keeps the oil pressure where it should be and is what the engine was originally designed for... I was also told that a low detergent was better as it prevented oil leaks, which I sort of question as I could get sludging in the enegine which could be worse. So is the 20/50 correct and what do you generally recommend..... Many Thanks       

['Mendip Wurzel']

Guy

I will give you a starter as this topic interests me .... what do you recommend for the Rover 3.5 V8

Make: Rover
Model: SD1
Year: (1976 to 1987)
Engine type: V8 / 3.5
Performance modifications: ported stage 2 head, fast road type cam, Edelbrock Performance Series carb and manifold (like Webber 500), performance exhaust.
Driving style: (road)

I currently use a fairly low detergent 20/50 oil (Halfords Classic). Rover V8's run with a low oil pressure so this thicker oil keeps the oil pressure where it should be and is what the engine was originally designed for... I was also told that a low detergent was better as it prevented oil leaks, which I sort of question as I could get sludging in the enegine which could be worse. So is the 20/50 correct and what do you generally recommend..... Many Thanks       

Hi

It's not so much that the Rover V8 was designed to run on a mineral oil, it's more that that was all there was available at the time the V8 came out. Ideally, I would use Fuchs Pro R 15w-50 in that engine. It's one of the best quality oils on the market and an excellent choice for older performance engines. Another very good one is the Silkolene Comp 4 20w-50, it's very similar to the Pro R, but not quite as good for cold start protection. The next one down in quality is the Millers Classic Sport and finally comes the Millers Classic. Even though the Millers Classic is our basic choice, it is a better quality oil than the Halfords Classic.

<http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68899-fuchs-titan-race-pro-r-15w-50-ester-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx> http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68899-fuchs-titan-race-pro-r-15w-50-ester-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx
<http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-1123-silkolene-comp-4-20w-50-synthetic-ester-based-4-stroke-engine-oil-for-high-performance-motorcycles.aspx> http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-1123-silkolene-comp-4-20w-50-synthetic-ester-based-4-stroke-engine-oil-for-high-performance-motorcycles.aspx
<http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68913-millers-oils-classic-sport-20w-50-semi-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx> http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68913-millers-oils-classic-sport-20w-50-semi-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx
<http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68912-millers-oils-classic-20w-50-mineral-engine-oil.aspx> http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68912-millers-oils-classic-20w-50-mineral-engine-oil.aspx

Regards

Tim

OPIE OILS

For recommendations please visit www.opieoils.co.uk For telephone sales call Guy on 01209 215164

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[Newton]

Hi Tim,

Welcome to the club.
Looks like I'm customer number 2.

And now for something completely different.....

I'm building an Ibex a Land Rover Defender based kit vehicle and am looking for recommended lube for engine, transmission and axles.

Engine is a Land Rover 200Tdi unit with a trick turbo fitted with 360degree bearings.

Main gearbox is an R380

Transfer box is an LT230

Both axles are std LR components the rear axle has a detroit truetrac LSD fitted and the front a four pin diff.  LR would now have you use a one shot grease in the front axle swivel housing but that never feels quite right and I would want to try and get emulsion out if water got in.

Apart from the engine all other items are freshly rebuilt and still to be filled with oil.

Many thanks for your help

Rob

[Grin-a-lot]

Hmm this prompts me:

I've got a Vulcan Engineering Crossflow, about 8 years old with Kent 234 fast road cam and twin DCOE 40 carbs and an oil cooler.  When I had some work done on the engine it was refilled with 10W40 on advice from the garage but i've seen other views that 20W50 is a better bet for these engines so... what do you recommend?  What effect might 10W40 have if it is supposed to run on 20W50?  Is it worth changing sooner rather than later or just wait for the next routine servicing opportunity?

[Krazyken]

Please bear in mind that we have 10% discount in place with both Opie Oils and Morris Lubricants.  Morris have a very good technical & FAQ section on their website.  Probably best to look at/talk to both companies and decide which one suits you best.

[oilman]

Any advice needed ?

Ask us here, will be happy to help :-)

Cheers

Oilman

[Grin-a-lot]

Yes please!

I'm still waiting for your opinion about the post I made up the page about my crossflow!

[oneleg]

What oil would you recommend for a Sierra diff with a quaife atb diff in it this will be used for spirited road use and track days

[Krazyken]

Guys

We seem to be getting no advice from Opie Oils, suggest you check out the Technical Section and FAQ's on the Morris Lubricants website.  You should find answers to your questions there.

[Hairy Santa]

Yes please!

I'm still waiting for your opinion about the post I made up the page about my crossflow!

I'd be running it on 20/50

[Hairy Santa]

What oil would you recommend for a Sierra diff with a quaife atb diff in it this will be used for spirited road use and track days

Quaife are the best source I would have thought for that info

[oilman]

Hi Tim,

Welcome to the club.
Looks like I'm customer number 2.

And now for something completely different.....

I'm building an Ibex a Land Rover Defender based kit vehicle and am looking for recommended lube for engine, transmission and axles.

Engine is a Land Rover 200Tdi unit with a trick turbo fitted with 360degree bearings.

Main gearbox is an R380

Transfer box is an LT230

Both axles are std LR components the rear axle has a detroit truetrac LSD fitted and the front a four pin diff.  LR would now have you use a one shot grease in the front axle swivel housing but that never feels quite right and I would want to try and get emulsion out if water got in.

Apart from the engine all other items are freshly rebuilt and still to be filled with oil.

Many thanks for your help

Rob

Hi Rob

Sorry about missing the post, we weren't receiving notifications of the posts so I didn't know there was anything to answer

I'd use a 10w-40 in the engine.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-657-10w-40.aspx

The best ones are the Gulf Competition, Motul 300V, Redline and Millers CFS. As a cheaper alternative the Fuchs XTR, Motul 6100 and Millers XSS are good choices.

You need an MTF for the gearbox and I would go with the Redline MTL, Amsoil MTF or Fuchs Sintofluid. The Millers EP 75w-80 is a good cheaper alternative
 
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-670-75w-80-75w-85-mtfs.aspx

I'd go for a straight 90 in the diffs, so Motul 90PA, Shell Thermally Stable or Fuchs Gear 90LS are idea.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-679-sae-90.aspx

Cheers

Tim

[oilman]

Hmm this prompts me:

I've got a Vulcan Engineering Crossflow, about 8 years old with Kent 234 fast road cam and twin DCOE 40 carbs and an oil cooler.  When I had some work done on the engine it was refilled with 10W40 on advice from the garage but i've seen other views that 20W50 is a better bet for these engines so... what do you recommend?  What effect might 10W40 have if it is supposed to run on 20W50?  Is it worth changing sooner rather than later or just wait for the next routine servicing opportunity?

Hi

Do you have any idea of the oil temperatures?

Cheers

Tim

[oilman]

What oil would you recommend for a Sierra diff with a quaife atb diff in it this will be used for spirited road use and track days

Hi

The Fuchs Syn 5 is ideal, it's what Quaife recommend.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68901-fuchs-titan-race-syn-5-75w-90-fully-synthetic-gear-oil-was-silkolene-syn-5-75w-90.aspx

Cheers

Tim

[Newton]

Thanks Tim I'll be in touch.
Rob

[Grin-a-lot]

Hi

Do you have any idea of the oil temperatures?

Cheers

Tim

Not yet (I've got a temp sender to fit in the next few weeks)  but water typically at 92degC rising to a fairly steady 110degC on track.

[oilman]

Hi

I think a 10w-40 should be absolutely fine, as long as you use a good, ester based one (Millers CFS, Redline, Motul 300V, Gulf Competition) as they can handle an average of about 130C and I wouldn't think it's getting over that. You could go for a 10w-50, 15w-50 or 20w-50, I don't think it actually needs it.

Cheers

Tim

[Richardp]

Is this still ongoing? If so...

Car Robin Hood exmo

Engine 2.1 pinto
Drivetrain sierra type 9, non LSD diff (tag says its LSD, 3.62 (V87BB 4006 BAA) )

Modifications

Offset ground crank, 1.6 diesel conrods, forged pistons, fast road 305deg cam, ported head, bike carbs, high flow oill pump, shortened sump, oil->water cooler (88-105 deg oil temp),  4->1 exhaust manifold, and transit clutch.

Oil required for diff, gearbox, and engine please

[Krazyken]

Richard

Opie Oils are no longer suppliers to BKCC due to spamming our site.  We have 10% discount arrangement with Morris Lubricants for Supporting Members (£10 annually) and their website has a superb Q&A section which will probably answer your question.  If not, give their customer advice line a call tomorrow.

There is a direct link to their site on the links page, just click on their company logo.

[Richardp]

Ok, thanks

I will check that out.