3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Rotary Experts! What Oil??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-20-03 | 01:28 PM
  #1  
SyderJL's Avatar
Thread Starter
EMPEROR
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Aumsville, OR
Question Rotary Experts! What Oil??

Hey guys, I was wondering what you guys would suggest for oil wieght in my car. I have a '93 FD and the tempature outside ranges from 30-60 degrees currently.
Also, I have seen a lot of arguments over whether to use synthetic or non in rotor engines. I did a search and came up with too many different ideas on what to use.
What would be the best oil wieght to use for my situation?

Ohh the only mod I have is an intake currnetly, if that makes a difference.

Thanks
Justus
Old 01-20-03 | 01:32 PM
  #2  
xstacy7's Avatar
I love when things work
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
I use Valvoline 20w50, but that's me...
Old 01-20-03 | 01:35 PM
  #3  
JONSKI's Avatar
5yr member, joined 2001
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 908
Likes: 1
From: Marco Island, FL
Mobil1 15w-50 full synthetic all year 'round.
Old 01-20-03 | 01:42 PM
  #4  
FormerPorscheGuy's Avatar
Yes it is for sale.
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: The Houston Club's Resident Lush.
This has been discussed a lot.

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/search...der=descending
Old 01-20-03 | 01:56 PM
  #5  
SleepR1's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,131
Likes: 2
From: IN
OMG, not another oil debate!!!
Old 01-20-03 | 01:57 PM
  #6  
SleepR1's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,131
Likes: 2
From: IN
Originally posted by JONSKI
Mobil1 15w-50 full synthetic all year 'round.
yeah, what he said....
Old 01-20-03 | 01:58 PM
  #7  
SleepR1's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,131
Likes: 2
From: IN
Originally posted by FormerPorscheGuy
This has been discussed a lot.
So what Porsche did you have before the Rx7?
Old 01-20-03 | 02:11 PM
  #8  
Scrub's Avatar
bow leggin'
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 5
From: Delaware
what Jonski said
Old 01-20-03 | 02:20 PM
  #9  
FormerPorscheGuy's Avatar
Yes it is for sale.
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 1
From: The Houston Club's Resident Lush.
I have owned a 944, a 930, and I currelty have a 914.
Old 01-20-03 | 02:23 PM
  #10  
apexkw's Avatar
in slow, out fast!
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
From: Florida
all cool but 996's and 911's are where its at!
Old 01-20-03 | 02:31 PM
  #11  
maxpesce's Avatar
Ex fd *****
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 1
From: Ventura CA USA
Originally posted by apexkw
all cool but 996's and 911's are where its at!
A 930 IS the ORIGINAL 911 TURBO!
Old 01-20-03 | 02:37 PM
  #12  
maxpesce's Avatar
Ex fd *****
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 1
From: Ventura CA USA
Mazda Recomends 10w-30 for all but the COLDEST climates the xx-50's are too heavy for a street driven car. run 10w-30 Dino or 5w-30 Synthetic. 50 weight oils are for cars that are raced and operated at higher than normal oil temps, or built w/ larger than std bearing clearances.
Old 01-20-03 | 02:58 PM
  #13  
SyderJL's Avatar
Thread Starter
EMPEROR
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Aumsville, OR
Hey thanks for the input mazpesce. So you suggest 10w-30 for my car then, right?(it is street driven) and is that non-syn. or syn.?
I have read that synthetic is fine for rotaries.
Old 01-20-03 | 04:49 PM
  #14  
Radical Rotary Avantgard's Avatar
Sleeper
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: North Dallas
Mobil 1 15W-50 hands down and enough said
Old 01-20-03 | 04:57 PM
  #15  
Rotary Freak
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 0
From: l.a.
imo, 50 weight is too viscuous. guess the choice depends on what you think protects more, higher oil pressure(50) or more oil flow(30).
Old 01-20-03 | 04:58 PM
  #16  
Import Convert's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
From: Wausau WI
Mobil 1 10W 30.
Old 01-20-03 | 05:29 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
I use Castrol GTX. I'm thinking it was 20W-50 too.
Old 01-20-03 | 05:34 PM
  #18  
n2trbl's Avatar
Pro Drummer!

 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA (boring)
10w-30! (in live in temps ranging from 40+ at night during the winter to 105 during the day in summer)
Old 01-20-03 | 05:55 PM
  #19  
SleepR1's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,131
Likes: 2
From: IN
n2trbl, you've got mixed opinions here, so what you gonna do now? Still no gratitude I see...
Old 01-20-03 | 06:12 PM
  #20  
maxcooper's Avatar
WWFSMD
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,035
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
Mazda may recommend thinner oil for emissions reasons. I don't know if thicker is better, but many people "in the know" have been recommending 20W-50 for a while.

People run all kinds of stuff. When was the last time someone had an oil-related failure? I think there are a lot of good choices out there. You could do oil analysis and find out what works best for your car/environment, too.

-Max
Old 01-20-03 | 07:08 PM
  #21  
n2trbl's Avatar
Pro Drummer!

 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA (boring)
I heard redlines synthetic oil is pretty good. The only problem with theirs is that after a long period of time it will back up the cat. conv. But the protection it gives is suposed to be outstanding. I guess replacing a cat. is better and cheaper than and engine. I don't know. Just what I heard. Check out Sport Compact Cars (magazine) project rx7. I think this is one of the places I read about redline oil. sleepR1: who am I supposed to be thanking in here?
Old 01-20-03 | 08:24 PM
  #22  
MaxRX7's Avatar
hambre y sueño
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: 80* >
use 10W30, anything over 10W40 is overkill on that cold weather.
Old 01-20-03 | 08:33 PM
  #23  
ROTARYFDTT's Avatar
Ding King
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 1
From: Rochester Hills, MI
well from what I have been reading you guys are recommending warmer temperature oils despite him being in a colder climate. For a 30 degree day you are not going to want a thicker 20W50 but rather a less thick 10W-10 or 5W-30. When you start your car in very cold weather its more difficult to get the thicker going throughout the system. I think you guys are off in recommending a 20W-50 weight for such cold temps. Its more of a summer oil. I live in Michigan and since Octoberish I've had 5W-30 in my car because I do run/drive the car around every 2-4 weeks if weather permits. So I like having a lighter weight because its better on start-ups in the very cold temps 20-40 degree temps around here.
When the weather gets warmer I am going to switch to a 10W-30 and I will probably try a 20W-50 during the summer months.
Old 01-20-03 | 09:00 PM
  #24  
SyderJL's Avatar
Thread Starter
EMPEROR
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Aumsville, OR
Hey, thanks ROTARYFDTT.
Thats was mainly why I was asking the question.
I want to know what oil weight to use in this colder climate when I get my oil changed.
I was also wondering if synthetic should be used in rotary, I have heard stories from both sides of the specture, but none of them ever came to a conclusion.
Thanks again for everuones input.
Justus
Old 01-20-03 | 09:28 PM
  #25  
turbojeff's Avatar
Do it right, do it once
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 12
From: Eugene, OR, usa
If you drive your FD under boost much expect to get fuel in the oil. I've said this many times in the past. I've had my oil analyzed (sp?) 4 times at Southwest Spectro Chemical.

All 4 times it had 10% fuel dilution in the oil. All 4 times I used 20W-50 (different brands). I forget the mileage that my car had exactly, but it was in the range of 40-50K miles, running stock boost levels

So with that info in mind I wouldn't recommend using 10W-30, it gets WAY TO THIN with a little gas in it. I wouldn't use it even in the winter.

Jeff



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:22 AM.