oil pressure ? oil brand and wieght? [Archive]

CHEVYMATT

07-08-2008, 06:38 PM

I HAVE 406 SBC THAT HAS SOME TIME ON AND OFF TRACK. MY SITUATION IS IT STARTS UP WITH 70PSI OIL PRESSURE AT 1000 RPM IN PARK WITH VALVALENE 10/40 BUT WHEN IT WARMS UP TO 180-200 IT HOLDS 25 OR LESS. IS THIS COMMON AND SHOULD I RUN LIKE A STRAIGHT 30 SYNTHETIC?
IF SO WHAT WEIGHT IS BEST AND WHAT BRAND ?
IM PARTIAL TO MOBILE ONE BUT OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS.. THANKS RJ

mytmouz

07-08-2008, 07:39 PM

What filter are you running? Also, how many quarts are you currently using?

CHEVYMATT

07-08-2008, 07:46 PM

What filter are you running? Also, how many quarts are you currently using?
i am running a stp short and 6 qts in a stock pan with hv pump

fishman1

07-08-2008, 10:21 PM

straight 30 wt syn will make your low oil pressure worse you need heavier oil like 20-50 or change the oil pump spring to a high pressure....your oil pressure is wayyyyyyyy to low for my likings.

I use 5-30 mobil1 with a high pressure spring in my oil pump and when i start the car i have 70 to 80 psi and when i am at the end of the 1/4 and hot i am at 50 psi never seen it lower then 45 psi

upstand

07-09-2008, 08:25 AM

Try 20w50.

hammertime

07-09-2008, 08:33 AM

Try 20w50.

I agree VR1 20/50 may help it some. But if it keeps going down like that, dont keep running it 25lbs of oil pressure is not enough IMO

CHEVYMATT

07-09-2008, 02:27 PM

oil pressure is always above 50 when off idle but at idle in gear hot is only around 15-25. i'll try 20/50 and see the differance.. thank you

cepx111

07-09-2008, 07:43 PM

Here's a good rule of thumb, 10 psi for every 1000rpm so with that being said 15 to 25 at an idle is fine, just make sure it goes up with your rpm, if not then you'll need either a heavier oil or a high pressure spring in the pump. JMO> Charles

v6spitfire

07-10-2008, 03:09 PM

I agree with cepx111. If you have 20 to 25PSI at 1000 rpm - thats completely normal. If you only have 25PSI at 5000RPM you gotta problem.

Tod74

07-11-2008, 04:53 AM

How much oil preasure do you think you need at an idle ? :?

25 lbs is nothing to worry about..that is plenty for hot idle in my opinion. As long as it goes up with the rpm who cares? How much oil clearance you running and what kind of pump? If it is a stock pump that is normal...I think 40 psi @ 2000 rpm is what chevrolet recomends.

I would definitely be concerned IF it used to carry more and then suddenly did not...but if it has always been that way I wouldn't sweat it too much.

jmarksdragster

07-11-2008, 06:55 AM

Try 20-50 and use a Wix filter, NAPA is a Wix and will work as well.

hammertime

07-11-2008, 10:19 AM

Try 20w50.

I agree VR1 20/50 may help it some. But if it keeps going down like that, dont keep running it 25lbs of oil pressure is not enough IMO

I agree 25 is plenty at idle I missed the in park part.

bubbabbc

07-12-2008, 05:06 AM

Brad Penn 20W50. Ask any of the many customers about this oil. You'll be glad you did.

chevyart

07-13-2008, 07:25 PM

I would suggest valvoline RACING OIl, 20-50. your dealer might have to order it but is good stuff and not real expensive. make sure you specify racing oil or you will get the regular valvoline. this race oil also has the proper amount of zinc in it which is a big problem with oils today (no zinc) which ios a big problem when breaking in flat tappet cams( they wear out lobes on the break in. good luck. PS you may stiil want to see about a better oil pump or check the other things that cause such a big pressure drop like yours

Scooterz

07-18-2008, 02:14 PM

I must ask.... I keep hearing about "Brad Penn". I have used: Redline, RP, & Mobil 1, all with good results. So, why is Brad Penn so great? What's the compelling reason to make it so great? Also, if i run Brad Penn, will I see an increase of pressure VS other brands? Gimmie the scoop... is it also synthetic (Brad Penn)?? I have a BBC solid/roller w/ a remote oil system & I get about 20psi @ idle when hot... off idle is 50+ & never had issues. I must admit, I would like to see more pressure @ idle when hot however. I have big hooker headers, & you know how a bbc in a 1st gen Camaro is... not much room, gets very hot in there, I use a dual remote mount K&N filter.

bubbabbc

07-19-2008, 09:24 AM

I could post all the engineering and test data that Brad Penn publishes concerning their oil(s), and we could discuss which oil is best, which oil is marginal, and all the reasons why.

The best advise I can give you is to ask your fellow racers that use Brad Penn why they switched. I will tell you that every engine I assemble with flat tappets, gets Brad Penn oil and ZDDPlus oil additive.

Ask around, then you make your choice. Let us know the results.

Tod74

07-19-2008, 01:53 PM

Where do you get Brad Penn?

I972Nova

07-19-2008, 02:34 PM

The Brad Penn 20/50 is priced very competitively and works GREAT. I have used Pennzoil and the Valvoline Racing oil in the past, but the Brad Penn keeps its consistency longer. Even in my 468 that ate itself up after 22 passes the oil looked just like it did when it went in the motor. You just have to get used to the green look...lol...

Tod74

07-19-2008, 03:37 PM

Where do you get Brad Penn?

hammertime

07-19-2008, 05:32 PM

Anyone tested the Brad Penn as of late ? I've heard that its changed and isnt as good as it used to be ?

bubbabbc

07-19-2008, 06:24 PM

Just ask fellow racers that currently use Brad Penn. That is your best source for accurate information. No sales hype or 25 letter long engineering and lab terminology.

bubbabbc

07-19-2008, 06:28 PM

Tod, to locate the nearest Brad Penn dealer:

www.amref.com

or call Jennifer Taylor, director of marketing

(814) 368-1200

hammertime

07-19-2008, 07:54 PM

Just ask fellow racers that currently use Brad Penn. That is your best source for accurate information. No sales hype or 25 letter long engineering and lab terminology.

we all use VR1 hard getting ahold of the brad penn and its 3x's at much as others.

suicidebomb

07-19-2008, 08:26 PM

Is ZDDPlus a zinc additive, if so, where do you get it? I've not been able to get it.

Tod74

07-19-2008, 10:15 PM

Tod, to locate the nearest Brad Penn dealer:

www.amref.com

or call Jennifer Taylor, director of marketing

(814) 368-1200

thank you

bubbabbc

07-20-2008, 07:15 AM

Hammertime,

The price for a case (12 qts) of Brad Penn 20W50 racing oil in our area is a few dollars either side of $55.00. The price of the cheapest brands of racing oil is somewhere around $40.00, making Brad Penn an even bigger bargain.

ZDDPlus is an oil additive than contains zinc as one of its important ingredients I just sent a friend who also had trouble finding ZDDPlus (12) 4 oz. bottles. Including the shipping, the cost was $135.00. They recommend (1) 4 oz bottle to a 6-7 qt oil change. We use this in addition to the Brad Penn oil.

SST4530

07-20-2008, 07:56 AM

Just like the other guy's I think 20 to 25 is fine at idle long as it increases as RPM's do. My 406 SBC ran about 40 psi at idle and 70 throught the lights at 7200. :)

P.S. I don't run Valvoline products any more after I found out they contribute to the anti gun lobby. :x

Scooterz

07-21-2008, 04:09 PM

Blittle: good point!! if we don't know these things, we in essense are supporting BS like Valvoline... thats good to know. I will join you on that one...

kod99

06-29-2009, 07:54 PM

I'm new to the high horsepower BBC and have one in a S/C dragster. I was concerned about the oil pressure when I was running Castrol 15/40 mineral oil (10 - 15 pounds pressure when hot at an idle). So I changed to Pennzoil 25/50 GT Racing mineral oil which is about 75% the cost of the Castrol stuff. I raced last weekend and at an idle, when hot, the oil pressure was 30 - 35 pounds and at high RPM it was 80 pounds plus. I am going to stick with this oil and see how it performs.

Here's the oil:

http://www.pennzoil.com/#/motor-oil/racing-motor-oil/

cepx111

06-29-2009, 11:51 PM

MEMRACING62

06-30-2009, 04:18 AM

kod99

06-30-2009, 06:40 AM

Dang it man, I bet you had to dig deep to find this year old topic so you could plug an ad for penzoil.....lol J/K

The switch seemed to work for you that's good

I thought the 15W 40 castrol was a sythetic though?

Just thinking out loud here - but you might have gotten similar results going to a 20W 50 weight oil.

You went up 10 on both ends of the oil going with that 25W 50 veres the 15-40 - just a observation>Cp

Cp

CP,
Maybe the Castrol was 10/40. I got it at Walmart, so I'll check. No plug for Pennzoil. This is the first time I have ever used the brand. I went with the 25/50 because that is what they had in stock. If they had of stocked a straight 50W, I would have went with that too. I just have to watch now and make sure the new oil doesn't foam and milk too much. I thought Pennzoil was tied in somehow with Gibbs or Brad Penn or somebody? Anyone know?

russ67chevelle

06-30-2009, 09:29 PM

brad penn is very well known for its ability to stay slippery when contaminated by fuel---->NITROUS, ALCOHOL AND BLOWN APPLICATIONS!!!

i love the stuff!!! four bucks a quart at my motor builders shop

dparker

07-01-2009, 07:19 AM

Brad Penn oil is named for Bradford, Penn. Where its made. It used to be named Kendal..
I use Brad Penn Best oil I've ever used.

Scooterz

07-01-2009, 11:01 AM

Good info/good topic.

I had no idea there was a "25"/50 Pennz... sounds like it was a good change for you.

StrokersGraphics

07-02-2009, 02:19 AM

I use mellings high volume pump, VR1 50w, Wix racing filter not the reg one and i never have a problem. 50lbs at idle and over 70lbs at 6800 rpms

russ67chevelle

07-07-2009, 10:56 AM

just got done changing oil,i use brad penn. it smells veeeery gassy,can even see the gas in oil.(nitrous use)but its true that it keeps its slipperyness cause when i rub it between my thumb and finger it was still very slippery!!! indeed this is the only oil ill use,especially with a nitrous motor