fyi
08-27-2005, 06:03 PM
I've had a bit of time to myself today, so I used it to perform a little maintainance on this '85 350x I recently purchased. It looks like the previous owner took decent overall physical care of the machine, but was rather lax on regularly scheduled maintainance
WOW, is this thing fun! I'm 33 and had one of these new back in '85, but I forgot just how much fun these things really are after 15+ years! Torque abounds everywhere!!
Anyway, amoung a few other maint. items I performed, I wanted to see just how the engine would respond to Redline synthetic automotive engine oil~ especially the clutch operation. I realize that everyone, (including the manufacturer) discourages the use of fully synthetic engine oils due to the wet clutch, but I chose to use it as an experiment none-the-less. The engine is coming down after the first snow fall anyway, so I really could care less if the clutch starts slipping or not~ it's getting upgraded soon regardless of this test's outcome.
I used Redline 15w/50 fully synthetic automotive engine oil we commonly use in our racing engines and the difference thus far is quite impressive to say the least.
Absolutely ZERO clutch slippage... In fact, it's a bit more positive in engagement than it previously was AND the engine/cylinder head temperature has dropped 14* overall compared to what it was using the petroleum-based Honda oil. I used a laser-aimed temperature gun for the data/temp. measurement and hit five different places all over the engine and averaged them all for the final number. The engine runs smoother, there is improved throttle response, the transmission shifts easier and the entire engine/transmission is mechanically much quieter overall also.
So far, so good! I'm going out now to work it a little today and see how it responds after a little harder riding time. I thought some of you folks may be interested in the outcome...
BTW- These engines just *LOVE* 108 octane VP Racing Fuel!!! I'll *NEVER* go back to pump gas again with this thing....
FYI if anyone is interested. :)
WOW, is this thing fun! I'm 33 and had one of these new back in '85, but I forgot just how much fun these things really are after 15+ years! Torque abounds everywhere!!
Anyway, amoung a few other maint. items I performed, I wanted to see just how the engine would respond to Redline synthetic automotive engine oil~ especially the clutch operation. I realize that everyone, (including the manufacturer) discourages the use of fully synthetic engine oils due to the wet clutch, but I chose to use it as an experiment none-the-less. The engine is coming down after the first snow fall anyway, so I really could care less if the clutch starts slipping or not~ it's getting upgraded soon regardless of this test's outcome.
I used Redline 15w/50 fully synthetic automotive engine oil we commonly use in our racing engines and the difference thus far is quite impressive to say the least.
Absolutely ZERO clutch slippage... In fact, it's a bit more positive in engagement than it previously was AND the engine/cylinder head temperature has dropped 14* overall compared to what it was using the petroleum-based Honda oil. I used a laser-aimed temperature gun for the data/temp. measurement and hit five different places all over the engine and averaged them all for the final number. The engine runs smoother, there is improved throttle response, the transmission shifts easier and the entire engine/transmission is mechanically much quieter overall also.
So far, so good! I'm going out now to work it a little today and see how it responds after a little harder riding time. I thought some of you folks may be interested in the outcome...
BTW- These engines just *LOVE* 108 octane VP Racing Fuel!!! I'll *NEVER* go back to pump gas again with this thing....
FYI if anyone is interested. :)