[moveswiftly]

Hey All -

Just did two track days at Summit Point here in WV. Did one day at the Jefferson Circuit and another at the Summit Point Circuit.

I have 6 track days under my belt and am still working to improve skills. My 2012 335iS is pretty stock. 6 Speed. Only modifications are m3 shifter and Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

Brakes were fine a bit of fade but nothing of concern. Tires are amazing - gotta live the Super Sports. They really talk to you and have an immense amount of grip. Stock suspension is fine. I've had Ohlins / M3 Bits on my old 135i but don't feel the need to upgrade this suspension yet.

Thought I'd post these two videos:

1. e36 M3 Spinning out after dropping two wheels

2. Video of me driving around

Question:

My oil temp gauge reads about 250 in the middle and 340 at the hot end. I was running between 280-300. It was about 70 degrees and I was pushing the car hard. Is this normal?

[Cloud9blue]

290f is definitely way too hot. I fooled around with various engine oil using hot plates at my work. Oil really starts to degrade and smelling like it is burnt at 300f. I would change out those oil asap.

Get an upgraded oil cooler. You really should try to keep oil temp under 270 F in such condition.

[moveswiftly]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

290f is definitely way too hot. I fooled around with various engine oil using hot plates at my work. Oil really starts to degrade and smelling like it is burnt at 300f. I would change out those oil asap.

Get an upgraded oil cooler. You really should try to keep oil temp under 270 F in such condition.

Yeah it stayed at or around 270 until the last session of the day. I think around then it ranged between 270-290ish. Oil is being changed today.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

290f is definitely way too hot. I fooled around with various engine oil using hot plates at my work. Oil really starts to degrade and smelling like it is burnt at 300f. I would change out those oil asap.

Get an upgraded oil cooler. You really should try to keep oil temp under 270 F in such condition.

The company I used to work for used to sell lubricants, and we've sent out various oil to 3rd party labs using our own dime to test the effects of heat on lubricant. The lab test shows, anything above 210ºF, for every 20ºF increase, it effectively decreases the usable lubricant lifetime by 1/2.

At 290ºF, the usable life of the lubricant is cut down to ~6% of its original usable life.

Now, granted, we're not operating the oil constantly at 290ºF all the time, but the high temp can't be good for the oil nor the engine, period.

[neoduffer]

At a CCA LA HPDE, I remember Mocohead saying N54 and N55 guys should short shift at 5,500 RPM to help keep the oil temps down and extend their sessions. Worth a try if that doesn't cramp your driving style.

[kentgbr]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

Question:

My oil temp gauge reads about 250 in the middle and 340 at the hot end. I was running between 280-300. It was about 70 degrees and I was pushing the car hard. Is this normal?

My car would hit 270F+ toward the end of 20min track sessions in 65F ambient. Installed a BMS oil cooler bypass valve, set heater to 84F w/med fan, and kept rpms under 6K. Next time out, same track, same ambient, oil temp held steady at around 250F.