Does Racing Oil Make A Difference?
A good quality oil is essential to get the best performance and life out of a daily driver engine. If you have a track or race car, it will need the very best oil to protect its engine in extreme conditions.
This is where racing oils excel. They are formulated to provide that extra layer of protection when you push your engine to the limits. Whether it is on the drag strip or circle track.
But what difference do they really make? And are there different racing oils for various racing applications? In this article, we answer these questions and more.
The Right Oil For The Job
Just like having the right tool for the job, you need to have the right oil for your car.
Regular Oil
A road car will have a relatively low-stressed engine that spends much of its time at low revs. Most trips in the US are less than six miles. That means a lot of stop-start driving. Regular oil designed for road cars will have additive packs to maximize engine life. And minimize sludge build-up.
Using regular oil in your race car can damage the engine. It won’t offer enough protection as the oil temperature rises. And the lower viscosity won’t allow your engine to develop its peak power.
Racing Oil
Racing cars tend to lead very different lives. Distances vary depending on the event, but they all operate at the very top of their rev range. This requires a very different mix of additives compared to ordinary oil.
Using racing oil in your road car is also a bad idea. You run the risk of clogging your catalytic converter due to sludge build-up. The engine will wear out quicker, too. That’s because racing oil is designed to work at temperatures your road engine will never reach.
Racing Oil: What You Need To Know
Racing oils deliver the maximum amount of engine protection in extreme conditions. They have far more friction-reducing additives than regular oil. They also don’t have as many detergents and dispersant additives as the oil you put in your road car. That’s because racing oils are changed far more frequently.
Factors that influence which racing oil you need:
- Racing Event Type – A top fuel dragster requires an oil change every minute and a half. It uses a bespoke high viscosity monograde 70W oil that wouldn’t work in any other application. An endurance racer will use 20W-60 oil. This offers enhanced protection for extended periods.
- Engine Type – older racing engines will require a thicker oil with higher levels of phosphorous and zinc. Modern racing engines have tighter tolerances. So, they need thinner oils and enhanced heat protection.
If you aren’t sure which racing oil is best for you, let Karl Kustoms help.
What Differentiates Racing Oil From Regular Oil
- They use synthetic base stocks that deliver excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance.
- They have lower levels of detergents and anti-corrosive additives than regular oils.
- They have much higher levels of friction-reducing additives than regular oils.
- They are designed to operate at very high temperatures.
Karl Kustoms Has The Right Racing Oil For Your Engine
Choosing the right racing oil for your engine is crucial. It can extend engine life and enhance performance. Karl Kustoms was founded by Carl Moyer, a hot rod and racing enthusiast. That’s why we know everything there is to know about extreme-performance cars and engines.
When choosing the right racing oil for your engine, Karl Kustoms is here to help. We stock almost 80 different types of motor oils. For every type of racing application.
We also offer great value. That’s why we offer free shipping on orders over $99 and a price match guarantee. Contact us today.