Oil starvation?

j-rho · 08-12-2014, 12:19 AM

Planning on my first autocross with the car this weekend.

Different cars have differing levels of tolerance for the activity - some handle it fine with race tires and below-full oil levels. In others, you better run a quart over full to keep from wrecking the motor.

What's the story with the 370? Is full OK or does it need a little extra?

Related question - fuel starve on right handers - how much does it need to keep it from happening - 3/4 tank?

This is on 200TW tires, but today's 200TW are pretty darn sticky!

Thanks,
J-Rho

critical · 08-12-2014, 12:24 AM

i'd keep the oil at normal levels and run a full tank of gas.

wstar · 08-12-2014, 01:08 AM

re fuel: On road courses the starvation tends to happen on long, fast right-handers (to keep the fuel sway all one direction for a little while). I would suspect it would be less an issue in Auto-X as you don't have long fast sweepers, but I donno, I don't auto-X much. For a fast driver on sticky tires on a triggering road course, you have to completely fill the tank at the start of every session if you want to avoid it (or solve the problem with e.g. phunk's road race pump solution).

re oil: I don't think it's any more an issue for our car than any other. Longevity will be improved if you do something to aid oil pickup in corners without foaming it (overfilling will cause foaming...). Unfortunately there aren't a lot of available options to help with oil starve on this car, but on the upside I don't think we've seen any definitive cases of engine damage from oil starve either (well, without other causes). Be sure to use good oil and an oil cooler.

Zauskycop · 08-12-2014, 10:18 AM

Keep it above 3/4 and you will have no issues. I think it would only pop its head on 180 degree right handers with a high g-load.

As far as oil, what you have read is correct. Don't overfill, don't underfill. Oil cooler is nice if the class allows, but you should be fine unless you take 4 or 5 back to back runs.

Tracy Ramsey

08-12-2014, 12:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
j-rho Base Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 154 Drives: 1967 Camaro Z28 Rep Power: 10	Oil starvation? Planning on my first autocross with the car this weekend. Different cars have differing levels of tolerance for the activity - some handle it fine with race tires and below-full oil levels. In others, you better run a quart over full to keep from wrecking the motor. What's the story with the 370? Is full OK or does it need a little extra? Related question - fuel starve on right handers - how much does it need to keep it from happening - 3/4 tank? This is on 200TW tires, but today's 200TW are pretty darn sticky! Thanks, J-Rho

08-12-2014, 12:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
critical A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 1,252 Drives: 09' 370z 7AT Rep Power: 15	i'd keep the oil at normal levels and run a full tank of gas. __________________ Quaife w/ gears \|Stillen Gen 3\|SOLD FI Resonated Test Pipes \|SOLD FI 18'' \| 25row Stillen Race \| Progress 35mm/25mm sways \| Swifts/Koni\|Volk G25's\| Stoptech SS lines\|\|SPL Front/Rear Arms\|

08-12-2014, 01:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	re fuel: On road courses the starvation tends to happen on long, fast right-handers (to keep the fuel sway all one direction for a little while). I would suspect it would be less an issue in Auto-X as you don't have long fast sweepers, but I donno, I don't auto-X much. For a fast driver on sticky tires on a triggering road course, you have to completely fill the tank at the start of every session if you want to avoid it (or solve the problem with e.g. phunk's road race pump solution). re oil: I don't think it's any more an issue for our car than any other. Longevity will be improved if you do something to aid oil pickup in corners without foaming it (overfilling will cause foaming...). Unfortunately there aren't a lot of available options to help with oil starve on this car, but on the upside I don't think we've seen any definitive cases of engine damage from oil starve either (well, without other causes). Be sure to use good oil and an oil cooler. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

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08-12-2014, 10:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zauskycop Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hinckley IL Posts: 228 Drives: 2012 370Z, '16 Miata Rep Power: 13	Keep it above 3/4 and you will have no issues. I think it would only pop its head on 180 degree right handers with a high g-load. As far as oil, what you have read is correct. Don't overfill, don't underfill. Oil cooler is nice if the class allows, but you should be fine unless you take 4 or 5 back to back runs. Tracy Ramsey