Track day oil for ZL1 1LE

Swift016 · 12-29-2019, 08:08 AM

Guys,
Going to Barber in a couple of weeks for my first track day with this car...
I’m wondering about the 15/50 oil for track day vs the 0/40 dexos2 for normal .

I’ve read here that GM says because of increase cornering loads...I don’t see how a higher G load requires a heavier viscosity oil. If the oil pickup is uncovered in high g cornering or braking, I don’t think 15/50 will help...this is a wet sump, and I’m used to a dry sump on race engine, so what am I missing ???...I like less start up wear on the 0/40....

Thanks,
Bill G

LT4Greg · 12-29-2019, 08:15 AM

Bill, I would go with GMs recommendation of the oil grade they list in your owners manual supplement since it’s a new car for warranty purposes!

Swift016 · 12-29-2019, 08:30 AM

Good point , Greg... the same conundrum comes up for a street oil choice...
Chevy says Mobil 1, but there are many 0/40 choices out there ....some better.
Warranty implications ?

LT4Greg · 12-29-2019, 08:44 AM

If you damage your engine at a track event then GM might not cover the repair/replacement if the oil used was not the grade they recommended. There are instances on this forum of engine damage or failure during tracking by owners and they had a very difficult time getting GM to repair their Camaros. IMHO I would not take a chance and use what they suggest.��

LT4Greg · 12-29-2019, 08:48 AM

Btw I use Valvoline 5w30 full synthetic in my 2017 ZL1 with a Mobil 1 oil filter! I doubt I will ever track mine since my driving skills aren’t up to par for tracking and I don’t want to possibly damage my Z!

ZRacerLE · 12-29-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

Btw I use Valvoline 5w30 full synthetic in my 2017 ZL1 with a Mobil 1 oil filter! I doubt I will ever track mine since my driving skills aren’t up to par for tracking and I don’t want to possibly damage my Z!

Start with an autocross, Greg. You will fall in love I bet and they are plenty safe and inexpensive!

LT4Greg · 12-29-2019, 09:09 AM

Yeah ZRacer, I used to autocross back in the late 70s when we had a local SCCA chapter and I had to spend money on tires mostly. I had a 1974 Vega that I added the suspension from a Vega GT that I used as my DD and do some events that were set up in parking lots.

ZRacerLE · 12-29-2019, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

Yeah ZRacer, I used to autocross back in the late 70s when we had a local SCCA chapter and I had to spend money on tires mostly. I had a 1974 Vega that I added the suspension from a Vega GT that I used as my DD and do some events that were set up in parking lots.

Oh nice! In that case, you could probably teach me a thing or two.

LT4Greg · 12-29-2019, 09:52 AM

Not really because I wasn’t that good at doing it! I had more DNFs than finishes but some of the folks in the local SCCA chapter were real good and built cars set up for nothing but auto crossing events!

PROMETHEUS · 12-29-2019, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift016

Guys,
Going to Barber in a couple of weeks for my first track day with this car...
I’m wondering about the 15/50 oil for track day vs the 0/40 dexos2 for normal .

I’ve read here that GM says because of increase cornering loads...I don’t see how a higher G load requires a heavier viscosity oil. If the oil pickup is uncovered in high g cornering or braking, I don’t think 15/50 will help...this is a wet sump, and I’m used to a dry sump on race engine, so what am I missing ???...I like less start up wear on the 0/40....

Thanks,
Bill G

It being a "new" car, have you reached 1500 miles with it yet? If not, IMHO wait until you have reached that milestone and had at least one oil change, before you start tracking/autocross, etc the beast!

L78toLT1 · 12-29-2019, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

Btw I use Valvoline 5w30 full synthetic in my 2017 ZL1 with a Mobil 1 oil filter! I doubt I will ever track mine since my driving skills aren’t up to par for tracking and I don’t want to possibly damage my Z!

My first track day was at this years CamaroFest. I've done two more since. They will put you in the beginners group to start with. You may, depending on the event, get to take a few laps with an instructor. You should give it a try, I promise you will love it.
The potential for damaging your car is probably greater on the way to/from the track.
If you're in North GA, Atlanta Motorsports Park and Road Atlanta are right in your backyard.

LT4Greg · 12-29-2019, 11:20 AM

I live in Columbus and Road Atlanta is probably 2 1/2 to 3 hours from here! Not really interested in any track time anymore because of my age and don’t have the money to spend on tires/brake parts and gas going to the events. It would be fun though but not at this stage in my life! My ZL1 and 2005 Silverado share daily driving duties while I’m still working. Going to try and retire totally in 3 to 4 years(66 or 67) and won’t have any extra money to play with!

L78toLT1 · 12-29-2019, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

I live in Columbus and Road Atlanta is probably 2 1/2 to 3 hours from here! Not really interested in any track time anymore because of my age and don’t have the money to spend on tires/brake parts and gas going to the events. It would be fun though but not at this stage in my life! My ZL1 and 2005 Silverado share daily driving duties while I’m still working. Going to try and retire totally in 3 to 4 years(66 or 67) and won’t have any extra money to play with!

You're only as old as you feel! I'm a geezer too; an 18 year old trapped in a 61 yr old body lol! I'm looking forward to retirement also, I'll probably hang it up this time next year.

LT4Greg · 12-29-2019, 11:46 AM

Yep we are the same age! I’m a 40 year old trapped in a 61 year old body! It’s all good though!��

12-29-2019, 08:08 AM	#1
Swift016 Drives: 2019 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Newnan, Ga Posts: 123	Track day oil for ZL1 1LE Guys, Going to Barber in a couple of weeks for my first track day with this car... I’m wondering about the 15/50 oil for track day vs the 0/40 dexos2 for normal . I’ve read here that GM says because of increase cornering loads...I don’t see how a higher G load requires a heavier viscosity oil. If the oil pickup is uncovered in high g cornering or braking, I don’t think 15/50 will help...this is a wet sump, and I’m used to a dry sump on race engine, so what am I missing ???...I like less start up wear on the 0/40.... Thanks, Bill G

12-29-2019, 08:15 AM	#2
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,875	Bill, I would go with GMs recommendation of the oil grade they list in your owners manual supplement since it’s a new car for warranty purposes! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-29-2019, 08:44 AM	#4
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,875	If you damage your engine at a track event then GM might not cover the repair/replacement if the oil used was not the grade they recommended. There are instances on this forum of engine damage or failure during tracking by owners and they had a very difficult time getting GM to repair their Camaros. IMHO I would not take a chance and use what they suggest.�� __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-29-2019, 08:48 AM	#5
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,875	Btw I use Valvoline 5w30 full synthetic in my 2017 ZL1 with a Mobil 1 oil filter! I doubt I will ever track mine since my driving skills aren’t up to par for tracking and I don’t want to possibly damage my Z! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-29-2019, 09:09 AM	#7
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,875	Yeah ZRacer, I used to autocross back in the late 70s when we had a local SCCA chapter and I had to spend money on tires mostly. I had a 1974 Vega that I added the suspension from a Vega GT that I used as my DD and do some events that were set up in parking lots. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-29-2019, 08:30 AM	#3
Swift016 Drives: 2019 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Newnan, Ga Posts: 123	Good point , Greg... the same conundrum comes up for a street oil choice... Chevy says Mobil 1, but there are many 0/40 choices out there ....some better. Warranty implications ?

12-29-2019, 09:52 AM	#9
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,875	Not really because I wasn’t that good at doing it! I had more DNFs than finishes but some of the folks in the local SCCA chapter were real good and built cars set up for nothing but auto crossing events! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-29-2019, 11:20 AM	#12
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,875	I live in Columbus and Road Atlanta is probably 2 1/2 to 3 hours from here! Not really interested in any track time anymore because of my age and don’t have the money to spend on tires/brake parts and gas going to the events. It would be fun though but not at this stage in my life! My ZL1 and 2005 Silverado share daily driving duties while I’m still working. Going to try and retire totally in 3 to 4 years(66 or 67) and won’t have any extra money to play with! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-29-2019, 11:46 AM	#14
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,875	Yep we are the same age! I’m a 40 year old trapped in a 61 year old body! It’s all good though!�� __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

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