mikstr

As some of you know, I had the engine in my VTR rebuilt last fall with a nice selection of choice bits (Carillo rods, JE pistons, DLC-coated intake valves and piston pins,....). Now, 6000 km later, I beleive the break-in is pretty well complete (an assertion backed up by my latest oil change which had the oil (Rotella 15W40 dino) come out quite clean after 2900 km (telling me the wearing in of the new bits is pretty well complete).

Having recently discovered a Web site called bobistheoilguy, I have been reading (and learning) quite a bit about oil. My goal is to protect my engine as best as possible to ensure optimal performance and longevity without breaking the bank. My research has shown that said Rotella (which was used as my break-in oil btw) and Castrol Syntec 0W30 (known as German Castrol, or GC; made in Germany, a very stout Group IV/PAO oil that is very near to a 40-wt and has a very complete and robust additive package) are two stand-out oils that have shown a tremendous ability to withstand shearing (from gearbox). So, being the inquisitive type (and having a penchant for trying new things), I took it upon myself to blend both oils together (50/50 mix) in the hope of creating a relatively inexpensive and high performance lube for my engine.

The blend is now in the sump, and so beginneth the experiment...... While no one can predict the future, based on my research on the said site, I see no reason as to why it won`t work very well......

Old Yeller

Oh goodie....an oil thread.

Where's the popcorn icon?

mikstr

Coming soon: fastest colour, followed by tires......

Old Yeller

we already know....yellow.

on a serious note. what's the price of the oils you're using?

mikstr

Bear in mind that, despite our dollar being above parity with the greenback at the moment, Canadian oil prices are substantially higher than those in the US.

Back to the question, I picked up the ouils in question at Canadian Tire for the following prices:
Rotella (5 L): $22
GC: $7.50/L (on sale; regular about $11)

You can get the Rotella very cheap at Wally land (about $11 a US gallon I beleive) and GC is said to be regularly on sale at NAPA for about $7 a quart (or so I have read). I am also using SuperTech (the long ones, 7317?) filters from Wally land (picked up on a recent trip Stateside (@ $2.80 each).

Big Shepp

Have you looked into Royal Purple?

mikstr

yes, but it gets mixed reviews for motorcycle applications (based on what I read anyhow; granted there are very few "bad" oils out there, just some stand out as being excellent, including the two I am mixing)....

Old Yeller

have you given any consideration to how you will determine how your oil mixture performs?

mikstr

- In the seat of the pants dept: shift quality, engine noise and temperature, any other elements which may be observable (quicker to rev,....)
- Cleanliness, feel of oil when changed

and finally, possibly look at getting a sampled analyzed to see how it fares.... (only totally accurate and unbiased measure to be honest)

franz125

Spent tons of dollars and then use cheap oil

evines