Road Racing Road Course | Autocross

Spun rod bearing while road racing...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 05:11 PM
  #1  
General Jack's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 540
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Default Spun rod bearing while road racing...

... at least I'm pretty sure its a rod bearing at this point. Oil was close to 6 qts when I started... but I was at it for 40-50 miles of very hard driving... so the oil level probably dropped a bit. Anyway, I first started hearing the very loud knock in one of the long sweeping left handers.... shut it down and coasted in to the pits.

While the experts are already aware of the oil starvation phenomena in the LS1s while road racing, I'm posting for the benefit of novices like me. Keep that oil topped off! In the future, I'll probably make absolutely sure I have 7 qts upon starting, and check every 15 laps (~28 miles).
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 10:23 PM
  #2  
mitchntx's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 2
From: DFW, Texas
Default

Which track?

I ran an afternoon at Harris hill last weekend. Nice track.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 07:41 AM
  #3  
crainholio's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

What oil were you running?

I use Mobil-1 15W-50 in my LS1 for track days, and go 1qt over full at the start of each day. I'd been using their 5W-40 Truck & SUV stuff, but availability became a problem.

Oil analysis shows single-digit wear metals so it's definitely not causing problems, and it holds up well to hard use. It has a lot of zinc in it, so a PCV catch can is a must-have if you're running cats.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 03:30 PM
  #4  
NJSPDER's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 0
From: Ewing, NJ
Default

Are there any good baffled pans for f-bodies to add a little more insurance to the situation?

I have access to all of the best oils, so that isn't my concern.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 04:31 PM
  #5  
EchoMirage's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: SE VA
Default

look whos getting all into road racing now

http://www.improvedracing.com/produc...a24e6bfba92f7e

i have one
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 04:57 PM
  #6  
General Jack's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 540
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by mitchntx
Which track?

I ran an afternoon at Harris hill last weekend. Nice track.
Harris Hill Road, I'm a member out there... but may not be running laps for a while.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 05:01 PM
  #7  
General Jack's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 540
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by crainholio
What oil were you running?

I use Mobil-1 15W-50 in my LS1 for track days, and go 1qt over full at the start of each day. I'd been using their 5W-40 Truck & SUV stuff, but availability became a problem.

Oil analysis shows single-digit wear metals so it's definitely not causing problems, and it holds up well to hard use. It has a lot of zinc in it, so a PCV catch can is a must-have if you're running cats.
I was running Mobile 1 10w-30. I started with the oil up to the max full line, if not slightly over, like I have in the past... but I ran more laps this past time. Should have following my initial intuition and pulled into the pits 2 laps earlier.

I'm still relatively new to the road race thing, and obviously I have more to learn if I'm going to continue. This snafu is going to hurt the wallet.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 05:39 PM
  #8  
NJSPDER's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 0
From: Ewing, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by EchoMirage
look whos getting all into road racing now

http://www.improvedracing.com/produc...a24e6bfba92f7e

i have one
Yeah, well, getting back in it. I realized that 4th gens are just too heavy and autos are way better for drag racing. So I am planning to make the 99 handle and find a nice 3rd gen to play with on the strip.

I used to auto-x my 91 RS with Philly region all the time. I used to not suck at driving. lol
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 07:12 PM
  #9  
LS168Camaro's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 2
From: Plano
Default

Yep, on the LS1 you want to have 7 quarts in there and then maybe an accusump or the pan baffle or both.
Though 4th gens aren't too heavy, especially if you dedicate them to the track. There is a ton of weight to be removed. Upgraded shocks and springs and a good driver and you can give fits to lots of people on the track. If you go dedicated track car think about trying some higher spring rates than strano's.
You ever considered going wheel to wheel? Mitch has a car ready to race for sale that is CMC/CMC2 legal.

Give me some comparisons between the M3 and the Camaro please. Interesting that it is faster than on the track.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 09:38 PM
  #10  
crainholio's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by General Jack
I was running Mobile 1 10w-30. I started with the oil up to the max full line, if not slightly over, like I have in the past... but I ran more laps this past time. Should have following my initial intuition and pulled into the pits 2 laps earlier.
Way too thin, you need more viscosity at the high temps you'll hit running without an oil cooler.

And both of Mobil-1 5 and 10W-30 oils show up on the low end of the 30wt viscosity range at 100degC, great for street use and fuel mileage but not what you want under road course conditions.

Consider either Mobil-1 15W-50 or RedLine 10W-40 for track use, both have proven up to the task.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 10:10 PM
  #11  
General Jack's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 540
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by LS168Camaro
Yep, on the LS1 you want to have 7 quarts in there and then maybe an accusump or the pan baffle or both.
Though 4th gens aren't too heavy, especially if you dedicate them to the track. There is a ton of weight to be removed. Upgraded shocks and springs and a good driver and you can give fits to lots of people on the track. If you go dedicated track car think about trying some higher spring rates than strano's.
You ever considered going wheel to wheel? Mitch has a car ready to race for sale that is CMC/CMC2 legal.

Give me some comparisons between the M3 and the Camaro please. Interesting that it is faster than on the track.
M3 feels much more nimble, brakes much better (stock brakes on both), has very crisp turn-in, very neutral, just sweet all the way around. It also has better tires, Continental Contact Sports versus Kumho SPTs on the front and Nitto Drags on the rear of the camaro (Nittos do surprisingly well btw...). The camaro is a little bit faster (1-2 seconds) solely because of its tremendous hp advantage (approx 150 hp more) with similar weight, and suspension work I've done. The camaro still plows with the understeer.

Keep in mind I'm still relatively new at this road racing thing.

Stock for stock the M3 would absolutely annihilate the camaro. Its only close because of the fairly extensive mods that the camaro runs better.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2008 | 10:13 PM
  #12  
General Jack's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 540
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Default

Originally Posted by crainholio
Way too thin, you need more viscosity at the high temps you'll hit running without an oil cooler.

And both of Mobil-1 5 and 10W-30 oils show up on the low end of the 30wt viscosity range at 100degC, great for street use and fuel mileage but not what you want under road course conditions.

Consider either Mobil-1 15W-50 or RedLine 10W-40 for track use, both have proven up to the task.
Thanks, live and learn... the expensive way in this case.

So do you feel that with 7qts of Mobile 1 15w-50 that risk of this happening again would be substantially mitigated?
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 04:37 AM
  #13  
mitchntx's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 2
From: DFW, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by crainholio
Consider either Mobil-1 15W-50 or RedLine 10W-40 for track use, both have proven up to the task.
I abandoned M1 a LONG time ago. It just thins out too much, even at 15-50. We see ambient temps in the triple digits here and oil temps at 300+

I have moved everything I own, including motorcycle and race car to AmsOil 20W50 Series 2000 racing oil. I am currently waiting on Blackstone analysis after 3 race weekends on an oil change.

An M3 doesn't have to be "muscled" like an F-car. It just lacks the torque of the V8 to pull hard off the corners. Have to keep the revs up.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 04:43 AM
  #14  
mitchntx's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 2
From: DFW, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by General Jack

Keep in mind I'm still relatively new at this road racing thing.
I think you will find that trying to keep a street car nice and open track it occasionally is a very expensive and time consuming endeavor. Been there ... done that.

When I got into a track only car, my expenses went WAY down.

I no longer had to maintain 2 sets of brakes, wheels/tires, the interior didn't get beat up, the paint stayed nice and I didn't have to spend a boat load of cash to get a heavy, heavy street car to accelerate.

There is a reason why a spec Miata or a Mini Cooper can run similar lap times to a production Camaro ... weight. I would have never thought that 300lbs would equate to 150hp and 2" of brake rotor.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 04:45 PM
  #15  
EchoMirage's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: SE VA
Default

Originally Posted by General Jack
Thanks, live and learn... the expensive way in this case.

So do you feel that with 7qts of Mobile 1 15w-50 that risk of this happening again would be substantially mitigated?
i like german castrol 0w-30. dont forget what the first number stands for. its your cold weight. unless you plan on changing oil before/after every track event, you should look into a dual purpose oil; one that will do well on the street and track. heavy weight oils wont help if your temps dip low and you drive it on the street as a weekender or whatever.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2008 | 04:49 PM
  #16  
crainholio's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by mitchntx
I abandoned M1 a LONG time ago. It just thins out too much, even at 15-50. We see ambient temps in the triple digits here and oil temps at 300+
I'm not a fanboy of M1, but I spent three days at Bondurant putting 300+deg on their Vette LS1 running M1 15W-50 and was impressed.

Their fleet (at the time, no current info) of LS1 cars was all running M1 15W-50 and had put nearly two years on them with zero engine failures.

But I'll fully agree on Amsoil, great stuff and signing on for their Preferred Customer program brings the price down nicely if you're running your whole stable on Amsoil products.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2008 | 07:44 PM
  #17  
LS168Camaro's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (27)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 2
From: Plano
Default

Thanks for the info on the M3. I am very curiuos about those rides as I have never driven or riden in one. Would really love to have one as a DD. just more reason to turn the camaro into a track car or sell it and come race with us. Eagles Canyon Oct11/12.

I have been running Motul 15/50 in my LS1 this year. I am sending a sample to Blackstone this week that has 5 track days and around 25 dyno pulls. Will compare it with Mitch's Amsoil.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2008 | 06:14 AM
  #18  
mitchntx's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 2
From: DFW, Texas
Default

Originally Posted by LS168Camaro
Will compare it with Mitch's Amsoil.
After the spanking you were giving me at TWS, I'm done helping you, Bryan ...



Reply
Old Sep 11, 2008 | 03:46 PM
  #19  
Speed Demon's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

So what's the verdict here? 7 quarts good enough for the weekend warrior?

I started another thread then I saw this.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2008 | 04:48 PM
  #20  
EchoMirage's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
From: SE VA
Default

7qts and check it often, or just get the baffle and run 6 qts.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:10 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE