Should I change the oil?

N Camarolina · 08-08-2023, 06:38 PM

Wanting opinions from track rats especially those who have had blackstone analysis done after several track days. I'll be heading to Road Atlanta near the end of the month for a 2 day (8 sessions x 25 min) HPDE weekend and need to decide if I'm going to change the oil prior to event or not.

Current oil is M1 0w40 Esp x3. Miles and wear on this oil as follows:

Miles = 1600 (will be 2000 by the time I finish the highway drive to Atlanta)
Track days: 3
Track hrs: 4.7*
DIC Oil monitor currently showing: 55% remaining

So, should I change it before Road Atlanta weekend, or is the oil fine to do another 2 track days?

RamAir02 · 08-08-2023, 08:58 PM

I haven't had Blackstone analyze my oil post track days. That said, I do an oil change every other event. I frequently attend 3 day DE events, so my oil is changed every 6 track days or every 24 sessions.

I'd say you're good for the upcoming event, but change the oil after that event. My oil monitor declines approximately 50% per 3 day event. While I don't put much weight into that reading, it does coincide with an oil change every two events.

Dabjbr · 08-08-2023, 09:29 PM

I can’t remember where I read it but IIRC, for those that track their vehicles often, you should disregard the oil monitor and instead base the change on track hours. And again, if memory serves me right, it was something like 4 or 5 hours p.

Baddawg53 · 08-09-2023, 12:58 AM

May not be apples to apples, but I have been using Blackstone labs for oil analysis lately. My engine is not stock, heads cam E85, and it's only a track car so take that into consideration.

My samples with 0w-40 all showed excessive wear beyond normal and that the oil was breaking down, after as little as 3 track days. I just switched to mobil 1 0w-50 racing oil to see if I get better results. I just sent a sample in after 3 days on the new oil, waiting for results and I'll adjust my change intervals accordingly.

My advice is maybe change it, better safe than sorry.

ariZona28 · 08-09-2023, 06:03 AM

Change it. Especially since you're driving and not trailering. I track a modified LS3 powered C5 Vette and I change out the Mobil 0W-40 Euro after 4 track days. Oil temps get into the 280+ range but I have good Blackstone reports to set my mind at ease.

Gunkk · 08-09-2023, 07:58 AM

Change it and send a sample to blackstone and ask them for their opinion. Then you'll know if you can stretch it out in the future.

cdrptrks · 08-10-2023, 10:26 PM

Not needed in my experience; I did 18 track hours (about 5k miles mixed street and track) on Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 and earlier this year Blackstone recommended trying 7k miles next time which I did previously on the old 0W-40 (now Supercar) oil (oil life monitor was down to 4% that time but I only did 10 track hours) without any concerns on that Blackstone analysis.

I have around 18 track hours on my current Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 oil too without any issues (knock on wood).

I have a manual transmission. Automatic transmission might heat the oil up more requiring a shorter oil change interval.

The 4 track hour oil change interval was in the 2017 manual but now it is listed only under the V6 engine heading in the 2023 manual (page 178).

Dabjbr · 08-11-2023, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdrptrks

Not needed in my experience; I did 18 track hours (about 5k miles mixed street and track) on Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 and earlier this year Blackstone recommended trying 7k miles next time which I did previously on the old 0W-40 (now Supercar) oil (oil life monitor was down to 4% that time but I only did 10 track hours) without any concerns on that Blackstone analysis.

I have around 18 track hours on my current Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 oil too without any issues (knock on wood).

I have a manual transmission. Automatic transmission might heat the oil up more requiring a shorter oil change interval.

The 4 track hour oil change interval was in the 2017 manual but now it is listed only under the V6 engine heading in the 2023 manual (page 178).

Thanks for the clarification! I swore I read 4 hrs somewhere just couldn’t find it. Guess it doesn’t apply to the v8. Good to know.

N Camarolina · 08-11-2023, 11:46 PM

Thanks everyone for your responses, especially CDRPTRKS for the track hrs and Blackstone results. I'm currently on my 2nd engine (blew the first one at the track) and would like avoid having to get another replacement so I am always trying to take the best care of my equipment that I can.

Dabjbr · 08-12-2023, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

Thanks everyone for your responses, especially CDRPTRKS for the track hrs and Blackstone results. I'm currently on my 2nd engine (blew the first one at the track) and would like avoid having to get another replacement so I am always trying to take the best care of my equipment that I can.

Same here which is the reason I tend to change fluids more than less frequently.

Also, I am more mindful of my downshifts, waiting a little longer to ensure I’m in the rev range vs rushing and causing an over-rev. This is especially true for 2nd gear.

I have even considered using the new 5w-50 made for the corvette but have yet to go that far. My current mindset is to keep the power and fluids 100% oe to maintain the warranty.

08-08-2023, 06:38 PM	#1
N Camarolina Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 975	Should I change the oil? Wanting opinions from track rats especially those who have had blackstone analysis done after several track days. I'll be heading to Road Atlanta near the end of the month for a 2 day (8 sessions x 25 min) HPDE weekend and need to decide if I'm going to change the oil prior to event or not. Current oil is M1 0w40 Esp x3. Miles and wear on this oil as follows: Miles = 1600 (will be 2000 by the time I finish the highway drive to Atlanta) Track days: 3 Track hrs: 4.7* DIC Oil monitor currently showing: 55% remaining So, should I change it before Road Atlanta weekend, or is the oil fine to do another 2 track days?

08-08-2023, 08:58 PM	#2
RamAir02 Shadow Gray '19 ZLE M6 Drives: '19 ZL1 1LE M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,458 View My Garage	I haven't had Blackstone analyze my oil post track days. That said, I do an oil change every other event. I frequently attend 3 day DE events, so my oil is changed every 6 track days or every 24 sessions. I'd say you're good for the upcoming event, but change the oil after that event. My oil monitor declines approximately 50% per 3 day event. While I don't put much weight into that reading, it does coincide with an oil change every two events. __________________ 2019 ZL1 1LE \| M6 \| SGM \| PDR \| CF Dash \| Nav \| Wheel Locks PPF \| Paint Correction \| ZL1 Addons Rock Guards \| ZL1 Addons Lift Pads \| ZL1 Addons Feather Lite Tow Hook \| JWM Smoked Sidemarkers \| Wildhammer Smoked Rear Reflectors \| JWM License Plate LEDs \| RotoFab CAI \| ADM IC Reservoir v2 \| BC Forged RZ05 \| SPL Toe Arms \| BW Brake Deflectors \| CMS Roll Bar \| Schroth Profi II ASM Harnesses . Sold: '99 Trans Am (bolt-ons & cam) \| '00 WS6 (bolt-ons, heads, cam, 12 bolt) \| '05 CTS-V (bolt-ons, short throw) \| '10 SS/RS M6 (short throw, CAI, coilovers, LTs, catback, JRE tune) \| '01 WS6 YouTube

08-09-2023, 06:03 AM	#5
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,849	Change it. Especially since you're driving and not trailering. I track a modified LS3 powered C5 Vette and I change out the Mobil 0W-40 Euro after 4 track days. Oil temps get into the 280+ range but I have good Blackstone reports to set my mind at ease. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

08-10-2023, 10:26 PM	#7
cdrptrks Drives: 2017 Blue Camaro 1SS 1LE with PDR Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,073	Not needed in my experience; I did 18 track hours (about 5k miles mixed street and track) on Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 and earlier this year Blackstone recommended trying 7k miles next time which I did previously on the old 0W-40 (now Supercar) oil (oil life monitor was down to 4% that time but I only did 10 track hours) without any concerns on that Blackstone analysis. I have around 18 track hours on my current Mobil1 0W-40 ESP X3 oil too without any issues (knock on wood). I have a manual transmission. Automatic transmission might heat the oil up more requiring a shorter oil change interval. The 4 track hour oil change interval was in the 2017 manual but now it is listed only under the V6 engine heading in the 2023 manual (page 178). Attached Images Last edited by cdrptrks; 08-10-2023 at 10:41 PM.

08-08-2023, 09:29 PM	#3
Dabjbr Drives: 2020 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NorCal Posts: 895	I can’t remember where I read it but IIRC, for those that track their vehicles often, you should disregard the oil monitor and instead base the change on track hours. And again, if memory serves me right, it was something like 4 or 5 hours p.

08-09-2023, 12:58 AM	#4
Baddawg53 Drives: 17 hyper blue 2SS M6 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: NorCal Posts: 757	May not be apples to apples, but I have been using Blackstone labs for oil analysis lately. My engine is not stock, heads cam E85, and it's only a track car so take that into consideration. My samples with 0w-40 all showed excessive wear beyond normal and that the oil was breaking down, after as little as 3 track days. I just switched to mobil 1 0w-50 racing oil to see if I get better results. I just sent a sample in after 3 days on the new oil, waiting for results and I'll adjust my change intervals accordingly. My advice is maybe change it, better safe than sorry.

08-09-2023, 07:58 AM	#6
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 5,178 View My Garage	Change it and send a sample to blackstone and ask them for their opinion. Then you'll know if you can stretch it out in the future.

08-11-2023, 11:46 PM	#9
N Camarolina Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 975	Thanks everyone for your responses, especially CDRPTRKS for the track hrs and Blackstone results. I'm currently on my 2nd engine (blew the first one at the track) and would like avoid having to get another replacement so I am always trying to take the best care of my equipment that I can.

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