Oil question
 

Maybe I'll ask this right and get the info I am after. Here goes!

What dictates how much oil goes in an engine and why? For example different engines get different types and quanities of lubricant. A 1.6 Liter or 1.8 Liter engine might get 4 quarts of oil. A 4.6 Liter or 5.0 might get a little more than 5 quarts. A Porsche gets 12 quarts if I am not mistaken. The reason I ask,if you increase the work load of the engine shouldn't you use more oil? There again I know that too much oil is almost as bad as not having enough. Hope my questions make alittle since and I can get some response.

Re: Oil question
 

The porsche has a sump pump and tank on it. It is also cooled by the oil so much more is needed. The engine I am building can have as much as 18 quarts of oil in it. Dry sump and tank out of a bush car. Cheap off ebay.

The little engines are hard on oil because of the heat produced. Higher rpm to stay at the same speed as the bigger blocks do.

You can lug your V8 up a hill. I got to hit 4 and some boost to do it.

Re: Oil question
 

Kerry hit some good points.

I'll add in that Diesels require more oil capacity due to keeping the turbo lubricated. They also use the engine oil to drive up the fuel pressure at the injectors (powerstroke fords see around 2000psi of fuel pressure at the injectors) The added capcity also assist in the oil taking longer to breakdown which in turn makes the suggested oil change mileage intervals extend to 7500 miles

Re: Oil question
 

Also...

The only time to much oil is a bad thing is when you do not have the oil pan capacity to hold what you put in. Submerging and rotating a crankshaft in oil will cause drag and disrupt the flow of oil.

Re: Oil question
 

At what point then should you consider changing the amount of oil in a 4.6 Liter? For instance if it is bored .030, forged pistons, etc.

Re: Oil question
 

Let me try to ask it another way since you answered my first question. When should you consider changing the size of the oil pan on a 4.6 liter engine or would it ever be needed with the upgrades that I mentioned?

Re: Oil question
 

I would say when you run it very hard with rpms above 4000 most of the time. Race track mode I change my oil after each track event. 3 or 4 hours of trying to kill the car.
Autocross is like every day driving.

Re: Oil question
 

I think it has more to do with, the type of duty your engine is more likely to see.
For example, if you are using your vehicle for sustained high rpm running (such as NASCAR, Road Racing, etc) you would want increased capacity to keep the chances of draining your oil pan to a minimum. Increasing your oil capacity would also help your oil last longer (as far as thermal breakdown)

I went to a 7qt capacity in my car because of the duty mine sees from drag racing and having a non self contained blower.

Does any of that make sense?

Re: Oil question
 

Yes Sir Mr. Snake, very informative. I'm just like a little sponge, just soaking up all the knowledge I can.

Re: Oil question
 

Keep your stock oil-pan, it will be plenty; just change it at regular intervals, check it often, and treat the car with a little respect. You'll get years out of it, even in Hi-Po mode. :nice: