Is it time to change oil viscosity?

[LANDAU LIMITED]

I'm not talking about a roller lifter coming apart or a part inside of it becoming magnetized. I'm specifically talking about flat tappet cams and lifters and them chewing each other up. It looks like you're saying that possible cam and lifter failure is one of the reasons on your list of reasons for choosing a roller cam over a flat tappet cam but not the only one. The major reason that I'm spreading this information is so that people can come to the realization that that shouldn't even be on your list of reasons for choosing a roller cam over a flat tappet cam. It's the oil not the inherent design of the flat tappet Cams and lifters that has caused all these problems.

I rebuilt a transmission for a guy about 5 years ago and after he put it in his car he came back to visit me so that I could see his car but the thing that impressed me the most was how quiet his stock engine ran and it seemed like it was idling at about 750 RPMs. The one thing I don't like about roller cams in our Buicks is the lifters and more specifically that link bar that absolutely is going to rattle and make noise so now you've got increased valve train noise but that wasn't enough for me I also had to choose some xfi lobes which I regret because that brought the noise level up to another level but still not objectionable but I sure did envy the sound of his engine.

Flat tappets are destined for failure period no matter what oil you use. There's way too much working against them. Why doesn't OEM run flat tappet cams? Talk about cost savings. I'll take the noise...if their even noisy. I haven't set one up yet but I will be in the near future. Won't be in my buick it'll be in a BBC. So I'll see just how noisy they are.

 

[turbocamino1]

Flat tappets are destined for failure period no matter what oil you use. There's way too much working against them. Why doesn't OEM run flat tappet cams? Talk about cost savings. I'll take the noise...if their even noisy. I haven't set one up yet but I will be in the near future. Won't be in my buick it'll be in a BBC. So I'll see just how noisy they are.

What if i told you ive run 2 engines now with flattys from Bullet (soon to be 3)who cuts almost 3000th more tapper into #3 lobe face than anyone else and use a lifter coating that works great. I can't say i have 20,000 miles on either ..but plenty of WOT pulls. oil and cams look new..both with about 120 Lb spring pressure. and pay special attentions the lifter bores . ..VR1 30 oil.

 

[LANDAU LIMITED]

What if i told you ive run 2 engines now with flattys from Bullet (soon to be 3)who cuts almost 3000th more tapper into #3 lobe face than anyone else and use a lifter coating that works great. I can't say i have 20,000 miles on either ..but plenty of WOT pulls. oil and cams look new..both with about 120 Lb spring pressure. and pay special attentions the lifter bores . ..VR1 30 oil.

I'm glad their working out so far. Custom ground Bullet? Share the specs?

 

[turbocamino1]

I'm glad their working out so far. Custom ground Bullet? Share the specs?

Not custom ..they offer very little for Buicks..just off the shelf grinds..but informed me how they give #3 special attention as mentioned.

 

[Pronto]

Bullet Cams website is useless!

 

[Mr.Spool]

It's a very expensive way to discover if your oil is protective or not and that's why I like 540 rats list. Now you can just go pick an oil with super high film strength instead of guessing and you won't have a problem. I put Quaker State full synthetic 5W30 oil in my regal and my two daily drivers and my two lawn mowers. Do I need that kind of film strength in my two daily drivers? No. Then why do I put it in there? Because it's the least expensive oil you can buy as long as you buy it from Walmart.

Im running the qs 5/30 full synthetic in my v8 cars with no issues
Haven't put it in the buicks though,
I've had nothing but good luck with engines and turbos using the mobil 1 15/50 and don't want to introduce anything new in that area just yet.
I understand about the list but I'm not there yet

 

[turbocamino1]

Bullet Cams website is useless!

Calling always got me a live person in my experiences.

 

[THensley]

Im running the qs 5/30 full synthetic in my v8 cars with no issues
Haven't put it in the buicks though,
I've had nothing but good luck with engines and turbos using the mobil 1 15/50 and don't want to introduce anything new in that area just yet.
I understand about the list but I'm not there yet

to be truthful I did not know a 15/50 was in mobile1 lineup . I usually think of 15 with diesel oil and it has things a gas engine dose not need. but this 15 is formulated for gas. Again a pissing match can start over oil brands weight and additives. I run a product I would never have purchased 10 years ago. But the methanal I have been spraying and the interdiction of E85 today I need oil hat can give me the oil pressure I need and the protection and ability to stand up to the fuels. But changing it often with a good filter all is good. O im keeping it to my self about brand and weight.

 

[Mr.Spool]

to be truthful I did not know a 15/50 was in mobile1 lineup . I usually think of 15 with diesel oil and it has things a gas engine dose not need. but this 15 is formulated for gas. Again a pissing match can start over oil brands weight and additives. I run a product I would never have purchased 10 years ago. But the methanal I have been spraying and the interdiction of E85 today I need oil hat can give me the oil pressure I need and the protection and ability to stand up to the fuels. But changing it often with a good filter all is good. O im keeping it to my self about brand and weight.

The 15/50 mobil 1 full synthetic is what ive used for a long time on race gas,pump gas alky and e85
The pure meth cars get the green stuff up here though
And like I've said the teardown and freshenings on both motors and turbochargers have been better than good and my 109s have had alot of passes above 1000hp.
My oil pressure is high but the engine builder wants it there.
I just tune and race lol.

 

[Mr.Spool]

Again a pissing match can start over oil brands weight and additives.

It can,but I would prefer to exchange conversation.
Ttype6 is good people and did show the testing 540rat did in a thread yes ago.
He seems prefers logic and data
I like that as I am big on that too.
If I didn't have the experience of doing and seeing the teardowns and sending the oil out to be tested I would have jumped on switching oils in the turbo v6.
I did however switch over to the qs 530 syn after reading 540 rats testing which ttype6 brought to light in his thread.

 

[Mr.Spool]

Bullet Cams website is useless!

But they do have some great cams.