Engine Oil
- Thread starter ROCK
- Start date
californiacuda
GT Owner
- Oct 21, 2005
- 919
For the Ford GT, the correct viscosity oil is imperative for the proper functioning of the engine. Believe it or not, if you use different viscosity oil, you will make much less hp.
GT Tech
Ford GT Team Alumni
Engine oil
The factory oil is Connaco-Philips synthetic. It came to the shop in 250 gallon totes. I tried to get them to drop one at my house, but they wouldn't hear of it. I would just switch to Mobile One in the factory weight.
:thumbsup
The factory oil is Connaco-Philips synthetic. It came to the shop in 250 gallon totes. I tried to get them to drop one at my house, but they wouldn't hear of it. I would just switch to Mobile One in the factory weight.
:thumbsup
BlackICE
GT Owner
Where do you buy Mobil One in 5w-50 in the US? The only 5w-50 oil I can find is Castrol Syntec.
Beach-GT
GT Owner
You can buy the Castrol at Walmart for a buck or so a quart less than Ford but is it worth it?:eek
ladams1
GT Owner
engine oil
I suggest you only use the oil that Ford engineers recommend. They do alot of testing and chart alot of data points to get the best optimum result. I suspect they have a list of alternatives or if they change a recommendation they do it from a service bulletin.
The rest of us do not have access to this data nor do we need it. You cannot out guess the engineers who do lubrication for a living.
Lee:banana
I suggest you only use the oil that Ford engineers recommend. They do alot of testing and chart alot of data points to get the best optimum result. I suspect they have a list of alternatives or if they change a recommendation they do it from a service bulletin.
The rest of us do not have access to this data nor do we need it. You cannot out guess the engineers who do lubrication for a living.
Lee:banana
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
Agreed
The selection of oil used by the OEM’s today has as much to do with the additives within it as well as the rated weight.
Take for example the transaxle gear oil; it is a specific part number (as I understand) only for the GT so in this case once again it can not be the oil but rather the components within.
Regards
Shadowman
fjpikul
GT Owner
There are some excellent old posts concerning all of these from real experts in the field. Suggest you do a search on oil.
AZGT
GT Owner
OCPETE
GT Owner
trackmeister
GT Owner
- Jan 19, 2007
- 34
Why 50wt oil? What max oil pressure are you guys seeing at operating temp? If it is more than ~70psi I would drop down to a nice 5W-40 or 0W-40 to help cold start wear and to improve the oil flow.
fjpikul
GT Owner
Here in the frigid Midwest, my oil gauge always reads about 75 psi when I get started. When warm it drops to 50. Watch yours next time you start up.
ViperJoe
GT Owner
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
Previous topic threads
I was one of the lucky ones to be pointed to this Forum early in its formation and actually before I took delivery of my 06. It is really great that this Forum has attracted so many new members and owners of these superb GT's. It does seem though that many of you new participants are asking questions or soliciting comments on topics which have been discussed at GREAT lengths in earlier threads. See Fjpikul's earlier post within this thread.
DBK has provided a forum search function which is powerful and allows one to check the database to see other related threads. Many earlier threads concerned the 1-2 shift issue and 5W-50 Motorcraft oil recommendation and engineering substantiation. See link:
http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3513&page=4
and my comment (#31) on the seeming foolhardy proposition to using any other oil other than the specified Motorcraft synthetic oil.
I am quite surprised at the posting by GT Tech who presumably was involved with the GT program advocating use of Moblie One. While at the 06 Detroit Rally I had an audience with the Ford GT Powertrain Engineering Supervisor where we discussed at length the lubrication requirements and attributes of the Motorcraft lubricants for both the engine and transaxle. Both have been formulated specifically for our cars through extensive research and development.
As Ladams1 and Nota4re both correctly point out, if there was a better fluid for our application, don't you think Fred's team would have tested and recommended its application? For owners to second guess the research and development facilities available to Ford during the development of our equiptment, to save a few bucks and enable purchase at WalMart is ridiculuous! Bottom line - use the Ford recommended fluids for the GT, there is reason for their selection. Note, I am not a Ford employee nor have any financial gain in this recommendation.
I was one of the lucky ones to be pointed to this Forum early in its formation and actually before I took delivery of my 06. It is really great that this Forum has attracted so many new members and owners of these superb GT's. It does seem though that many of you new participants are asking questions or soliciting comments on topics which have been discussed at GREAT lengths in earlier threads. See Fjpikul's earlier post within this thread.
DBK has provided a forum search function which is powerful and allows one to check the database to see other related threads. Many earlier threads concerned the 1-2 shift issue and 5W-50 Motorcraft oil recommendation and engineering substantiation. See link:
http://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3513&page=4
and my comment (#31) on the seeming foolhardy proposition to using any other oil other than the specified Motorcraft synthetic oil.
I am quite surprised at the posting by GT Tech who presumably was involved with the GT program advocating use of Moblie One. While at the 06 Detroit Rally I had an audience with the Ford GT Powertrain Engineering Supervisor where we discussed at length the lubrication requirements and attributes of the Motorcraft lubricants for both the engine and transaxle. Both have been formulated specifically for our cars through extensive research and development.
As Ladams1 and Nota4re both correctly point out, if there was a better fluid for our application, don't you think Fred's team would have tested and recommended its application? For owners to second guess the research and development facilities available to Ford during the development of our equiptment, to save a few bucks and enable purchase at WalMart is ridiculuous! Bottom line - use the Ford recommended fluids for the GT, there is reason for their selection. Note, I am not a Ford employee nor have any financial gain in this recommendation.
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GT Tech
Ford GT Team Alumni
Indy,
I was indeed on the GT program for 3 1/2 years. Before that, I was involved with the Ford Racing Performance Parts crate motor program. I did a lot of the in car testing of most of the small block crate motors they sell. During that time we had many hours of engine dyno time. We tested many different brands of oil in back to back dyno pulls. I am by no means an expert on oils, but I think I can safely say that most of the oils of this type (full synthetic) are very close, with Mobile 1 and Amsoil being at the top of the heap. As far as how well they protect the engine, most oils have to pass certification tests to meet oem standards. I'd be very suprised if any of the better brand of oils failed to protect the engine as advertised.
When I change oil on my clients GTs , I use the same Motorcraft oil that came in the car. The owners like to use it the factory stuff, and I have no problem with that at all. Motorcraft sponsored my race cars for years, and I used their oil and fluids all the time. I'm just partial to Mobile 1 because in my motors, they made the most power. Conoco-Philips has the contract with Ford to supply lubricants to most if not all Ford vehicles. It just makes sense for Ford to use it if all the other parameters were the same or close. :thumbsup
I was indeed on the GT program for 3 1/2 years. Before that, I was involved with the Ford Racing Performance Parts crate motor program. I did a lot of the in car testing of most of the small block crate motors they sell. During that time we had many hours of engine dyno time. We tested many different brands of oil in back to back dyno pulls. I am by no means an expert on oils, but I think I can safely say that most of the oils of this type (full synthetic) are very close, with Mobile 1 and Amsoil being at the top of the heap. As far as how well they protect the engine, most oils have to pass certification tests to meet oem standards. I'd be very suprised if any of the better brand of oils failed to protect the engine as advertised.
When I change oil on my clients GTs , I use the same Motorcraft oil that came in the car. The owners like to use it the factory stuff, and I have no problem with that at all. Motorcraft sponsored my race cars for years, and I used their oil and fluids all the time. I'm just partial to Mobile 1 because in my motors, they made the most power. Conoco-Philips has the contract with Ford to supply lubricants to most if not all Ford vehicles. It just makes sense for Ford to use it if all the other parameters were the same or close. :thumbsup
Indy GT
Yea, I got one...too
GT Tech, Thanks for your response and insight on being on the program. You have given all us owners many smiles and looks from admirers as we drive our cars around town! We all thank you for a spectacular product!
A couple of comments:
The $36,000 5.4L mod V8 in our GT's is a VERY specific engine design (almost clean sheet if you will) targeted solely for Ford GT application. See Curt's and Glenn's SAE Technical Paper 2004-01-1252 on the technical design and evolution of our engine. Per that report over thirty engine configurations were investigated on the way to the final design. Although I am sure your dyno experience with small-block Ford crate engines is helpful, the mid engine, big-block, all aluminum block, DOHC, supercharged, intercooled, dry-sump engine we have in our GT's might have unique design or operating characteristics not typical of usual Ford normally asperated engines. Again I mean in no way to diminish your dyno experience, only pointing out this engine may have some unique design characteristics not usually seen in typical engine designs. The dry-sump lubrication system is one that jumps to mind. From the cited report, "The engine would require more lubricant flow to aid in piston cooling and to dissipate the heat generated by the added power."
As I have posted previously, I spoke to the folks at Mobile who erroneously told me the "factory fill" in our cars was the Mobile 1. The Ford GT factory-fill is the Conoco-Phillips fully synthetic product. And although they may have the contract with Ford to supply all their engine oils (as you point out), I would not be so quick to embrace the implication "It just makes sense for Ford to use it if all the other parameters were the same or close". I'm relatively certain Curt's engine guys had a specific additive package in mind based on the attributes and somewhat unique architecture of the new engine design and worked with the Conoco folks to arrive at a suitable product. If you are with Ford, you might go ask him.
The Ford specified viscosity of 5W-50 for our cars, while made by Mobile, is generally only available in Europe. Although as I previously indicated it most probably could be purchased through a jobber who would have to special order the product. Would the Mobile 1 or Amzoil product work in our engine? Probably... But why bother?! To save a couple bucks a quart and enable an owner to go to WalMart to get the oil? Please! If you paid +$180K for the car you can afford the recommended Motorcraft oil. Same goes for the transaxle fluid which is unique (due to additive package) and sourced directly from Riccardo who built the unit.
Thanks again for your input and continued support of our cars!
A couple of comments:
The $36,000 5.4L mod V8 in our GT's is a VERY specific engine design (almost clean sheet if you will) targeted solely for Ford GT application. See Curt's and Glenn's SAE Technical Paper 2004-01-1252 on the technical design and evolution of our engine. Per that report over thirty engine configurations were investigated on the way to the final design. Although I am sure your dyno experience with small-block Ford crate engines is helpful, the mid engine, big-block, all aluminum block, DOHC, supercharged, intercooled, dry-sump engine we have in our GT's might have unique design or operating characteristics not typical of usual Ford normally asperated engines. Again I mean in no way to diminish your dyno experience, only pointing out this engine may have some unique design characteristics not usually seen in typical engine designs. The dry-sump lubrication system is one that jumps to mind. From the cited report, "The engine would require more lubricant flow to aid in piston cooling and to dissipate the heat generated by the added power."
As I have posted previously, I spoke to the folks at Mobile who erroneously told me the "factory fill" in our cars was the Mobile 1. The Ford GT factory-fill is the Conoco-Phillips fully synthetic product. And although they may have the contract with Ford to supply all their engine oils (as you point out), I would not be so quick to embrace the implication "It just makes sense for Ford to use it if all the other parameters were the same or close". I'm relatively certain Curt's engine guys had a specific additive package in mind based on the attributes and somewhat unique architecture of the new engine design and worked with the Conoco folks to arrive at a suitable product. If you are with Ford, you might go ask him.
The Ford specified viscosity of 5W-50 for our cars, while made by Mobile, is generally only available in Europe. Although as I previously indicated it most probably could be purchased through a jobber who would have to special order the product. Would the Mobile 1 or Amzoil product work in our engine? Probably... But why bother?! To save a couple bucks a quart and enable an owner to go to WalMart to get the oil? Please! If you paid +$180K for the car you can afford the recommended Motorcraft oil. Same goes for the transaxle fluid which is unique (due to additive package) and sourced directly from Riccardo who built the unit.
Thanks again for your input and continued support of our cars!
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FlorIdaho Chris
Yeah, I've got one.
I'm with you 100% on this Bill. Nothing but the factory recommended oil will ever be in my crankcase. Or, while we're at it, will anything other than the factory recommended lubricant be in my transaxle.
ladams1
GT Owner
ladams1
GT Owner
engine oil
This statement hit the point perfectly. The Gt technicians comments i am sure are correct but why take a chance. Even if the manufactuer "gilds the lilly" and adds 50 cents a quart to the cost of oil who cares.
I designed and built equipment that was sold around the world and oil does matter. Early in my career I was a lubrication engineer for a while. For the really big gear boxes i had the experts come in from Mobil shell or whatever and evauate and where nessecary instumentate the equipment to pick the right oil for our needs. Technicians who did not use the oil selected ended up on the street. If the oil damaged the equipment so we lost production I hit the streets. it is a good system :thumbsup
You would be amazed (well maybe not) at the technically incorrect posts i have seen on oil, battery chargers and technology in general. it is a little unnerving.:frown
Ops nap time. Great posts.
lee
This statement hit the point perfectly. The Gt technicians comments i am sure are correct but why take a chance. Even if the manufactuer "gilds the lilly" and adds 50 cents a quart to the cost of oil who cares.
I designed and built equipment that was sold around the world and oil does matter. Early in my career I was a lubrication engineer for a while. For the really big gear boxes i had the experts come in from Mobil shell or whatever and evauate and where nessecary instumentate the equipment to pick the right oil for our needs. Technicians who did not use the oil selected ended up on the street. If the oil damaged the equipment so we lost production I hit the streets. it is a good system :thumbsup
You would be amazed (well maybe not) at the technically incorrect posts i have seen on oil, battery chargers and technology in general. it is a little unnerving.:frown
Ops nap time. Great posts.
lee