Hello,

I am farely new to the rotory engine and I am at 2,500 miles on my rx-8.

I have autocrossed it 3 times and plan on continueing for as long as I own the car. And doing plenty of driving schools.

Question: What oils are you guys running. Not really the brands as much as , are the synthetic or not. I have always used Mobel 1 synthetic in all my cars in the past, but I have never owned a rotory before. For all I know, it is bad to put synthetic in a rotory engine.

Thanks for the help guys.

Ronnie

 

I only ran synthetic in my RX-7 after I removed the oil metering (oil injection) and ran premix. Some people say it's OK to run synthetic - I doubt any of those people have torn down a motor that has had synthetic run in it.

My recommendation (and Mazda's) is to run non-synthetic.

 

start here

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/cumulative-synthetic-oil-discussion-52856/

then search more.

beers

 

Plain ol' dino oil here.

 

While engine oil is debatable...tranny and diffy isn't. You should at least be running full syn fluids in both those entity's. Depending on the type of courses, you should probably also step up the brake fluid change intervals, and swap to a higher quality base. If you get speed bleeders this isn't really a problem, and is relatively quick and easy to do. (On some cars you can even do it with the wheels still on)

 

standard 5W20 Castrol GTX here, not enough miles to justify changing the filter yet, I've drained the pan and refilled it a couple of times over 3k miles, probably overkill though ...

 

Castrol GTX too

 

Thanks guys, I have a buddy that says to use non synthetic too.

I think I will just used reguler oil,

Thanks guys

Ronnie

ps. I know I did a forum NO NO , and next time I will just search first.

 

Since you are autocrossing a lot, more oil changes. Just go with mineral oil, easier on your wallet

 

In hot South Florida I run Valvoline Racing 20W-50. I installed an oil temperature guage and you would be shocked to see the oil temp in the pan when running on the track. At Homestead two weeks ago I ran a consistant 250 degrees. Always between 240 to 250 on track. No way would I run anything thinner. Same oil that Speed Source is using

Jay Goldfarb
Instructor with NASA, BMW CCA, & PBOC

 

Jay

Dang I didnt know it was getting that hot! I havent been running 20/50 but I have been running 5/30 Royal purple. At yeast I have a little more protection than the regular 5/20 dino brands. Good info. NASA is a great organization--i think we are having 10 rx8 in march at Road ATlanta. I will be sure all know about your findings. Thanks
Olddragger

 

Extra oil cooler works to keep the oil temp down ......I take it out for winter though

 

I need to get my gauges installed so I can see what kind of temps I'm seeing on my oil

 

I mounted two guages on the A pillar. They don't get in the way of the air bag which is attached to the top only for the side curtain bag. Next up for me is the addition of water temp.

On the subject of oil coolers, we already have two. Any feelings on better coolers.

Jay

 

I have! What's your concern? Synthetics burn cleaner and not the other way around so I don't see what the problem is. People who don't know a thing about oils think that synthetics leave more deposits. Not true.

I have been running synthetics in rotaries for many years now and will use nothing else.

 

I concur RG. One piece of lodgic I use is our engine has an oil injection pump---right everyone? Ok then-- what other types of engines do we know of that injects oil into the combustion chamber. Right--2 strokes. What oil do they use for their pre mix's---- right synthetics because they burn much cleaner and provide more protection.
When you changed the oil in your trans to synthetic --did it shift better etc? Dang right it did. Engine would be the same way. Smoother.
Just some kitchen table lodgic here guys. The good synthetics do the rotorary good. You dont HAVE to use them but its an upgrade.
Now for us track guys that dont upgrade the pump I also say a little pre mix would not hurt.
olddragger

 

try this: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/oil-brand-poll-78494/