The best oils for a TVR S3 V6?

[hoss]

Whats the best oils for the engine, gearbox and dif?
Any clever ways of getting the old oil out of the gearbox and dif?

[Psychobert]

Mines got Mobil 1 in the engine; have to check with trhe last owner for gearbox, but whatever it is, she doesn't like going into reverse when cold. Not too keen on 1st either. Got to warm up for a few miles for either to be achieved without crunching noises..

[Qualia]

I was told that Mobil 1 is too thin for the V6 engine. I'm using Castrol GTX Magnatec, but I think the best oil is the one that gets changed often.....
Out of interest, how often do you have to top up Mobil 1? I was told it can be 1 litre per 1000 mls. True?

[tripps]

So far I've done just less than 2000 miles since I purchased mine and it's not even need refilling.

I keep double-checking, thinking my eye-sight is dodgy.

Got Mobil 1 stocked up as well, as I'd expected the standard litres per 1000 miles.

It might be that thicker (non Mobil 1) oil has been used in it..

[rustoni]

Qualia said: Out of interest, how often do you have to top up Mobil 1? I was told it can be 1 litre per 1000 mls. True?

My S uses about a litre per 1000 miles of Mobil 1 but it is a V8S fortunately I brought the stuff in France so isn't as expensive as it could of been.

[tvrmark]

I use Castrol GTX the engine's done 90K including a number of track days and it uses almost no oil(1/2 pint between oil changes).

Mark

[Midge]

I always used Mobil 1....worth paying the extra.

[Psychobert]

Only done about 750 miles in my S since I bought her and seemingly not lost any oil at all..

Not looked at the relative costs of Mobil 1 compared to GTX so not sure what I'd go with when I come to the next service.

Ideas anyone?

[hoss]

Thanks for the info on engine oil guys, but what about the best oils for the gearbox and dif?? - Any good methods of draining the same???

[M@H]

Get a little rotary pump that you attach to a drill for the gearbox as sadly it has no drain plug.

Cheers
Matt.

[JSG]

Re oil usage, the V6 engine doesn't use much at all (mine never seemed to use any) but the V8 needs keeping an eye on as they all use some.

I used Mobil 1 in the V6 as it was recommended at the time by most people.

[pantani201]

Ive done just under 5k miles this year in an S1.5 with 2.9 engine and havnt used any oil I cant see how Mobil 1 could be too thin, the viscosity is the governing factor surely. Therefore at increased temperatures the viscosity increases, ie the oil gets thicker , at low temperature it is thin to aid cold starting

>> Edited by pantani201 on Saturday 1st November 11:47

[spivvy]

these are the recommended oils out of the tvr Manual

Diff oil (sierra) API GL5 LS90 2.5 pts

Gearbox oil API GL5 75W90 2.5 pts

hope that helps

[Ballistic Banana]

Sorry to gate crash

Hoss is car a mica red one??

BB

[Pies]

Gate crash!!!!

The prty is almost a year old

[andyf007]

On the subject of oil, I use Mobil 1 Motorsport, not Mobil 1, it's a bit too thin imho, and my S2 uses virtually no oil at all.

When I queried having a gearbox oil change, the local Ford mechanic looked at me in a very bemused way and asked why. I explained that I had heard much about using ATF fluid and changing it regularly etc. He explained that the original Ford gearbox oil was remarkably similar to ATF and that the reason there was no drain plug was because it didn't need one. The gearbox was designed to be kind of 'sealed for life' and the filler plug was there purely to top up any leakeage. He advised that any problems in the gear selection or noise from the box would be due to wear and the box should be re-conditioned, but that with normal usage the box should be good for around 150k.

He did add though that with the low mileages of TVRs in general then it may be advisable to change the oil at around 8-10 years, due to it's natural degradation and because that was the expected life of the box anyway.

Food for thought.

Andy

[melvinolotus]

tvrmark said:

I use Castrol GTX the engine's done 90K including a number of track days and it uses almost no oil(1/2 pint between oil changes).

Mark

Would not use this in my lawnmower......very cheap oil and that's the best thing about it.

[v8s4me]

Blimey! What's resurrected this old thread?

[glenrobbo]

You waited 14 years to tell us that?

I use Valvoline VR-1 Racing 20w50 mineral oil in my S's
Good oil.pressure compared to using Mobil 1

[phillpot]

Bit bored by any chance last night Melvin?