5.7 Turbo oil viscosity

[Hemi_Venom]

Hey all, new to the forum.
Question. I have a 2014 Ram 1500 5.7. Cammed and FBO. Will be slapping a turbo on shortly and wanted to know what oil viscosity guys with a turbo 4th gen 5.7 Ram are running?
I've heard a variety of answers. Anything from the recommended 5w20, as far as 20w50.
I live in Canada where the temps aren't crazy hot, but I also don't drive it in the winter much.
I was considering like a 10w30? What do you oil experts think?

 

[joshuaeb09]

Unless you plan on changing the oil pump to a 6.4 or Hellcat pump I wouldn't stray much farther than 5W30 or 0W40 depending on the brand. I had discussed what I've discovered on the Hemi oil pumps based on P/N's, other forums discussions, and a bit of research in the syn thread.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/synthetic-oil.27664/page-3613#post-2213584

 

[Wild one]

Hellcat pump

https://www.modernmusclextreme.com/c-306-hemi-oil-pump.aspx.

Mellings version ,might be even better then the Cats pump

https://www.manciniracing.com/mepeoilpu.html

 

[seabrook]

I would do 10/30 that’s what I run in my sc (centrifugal not roots) stuff

 

[joshuaeb09]

Hellcat pump

https://www.modernmusclextreme.com/c-306-hemi-oil-pump.aspx.

Mellings version ,might be even better then the Cats pump

https://www.manciniracing.com/mepeoilpu.html

Also the newer Melling 10452 as well which looks identical in exterior casting to the Hellcat pump. We need someone to buy all of them and cut them open for science lol.

https://www.melling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/10452-Melling-oil-pump-web.pdf

 

[Wild one]

Also the newer Melling 10452 as well which looks identical in exterior casting to the Hellcat pump. We need someone to buy all of them and cut them open for science lol.

https://www.melling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/10452-Melling-oil-pump-web.pdf

That ones the high pressure version Joshua,the one i'd do would be the high volumne pump instead.Open up the bearing clearances slightly and pump more oil through them to keep the bearing surfaces cooler.

 

[Hemi_Venom]

Unless you plan on changing the oil pump to a 6.4 or Hellcat pump I wouldn't stray much farther than 5W30 or 0W40 depending on the brand. I had discussed what I've discovered on the Hemi oil pumps based on P/N's, other forums discussions, and a bit of research in the syn thread.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/synthetic-oil.27664/page-3613#post-2213584

Awesome thanks! I will probably go with a 5w30 synthetic than. I haven't upgraded the pump and don't plan on it until I do the bottom end, which will hopefully be next year!

 

[Wild one]

The Hellcats and 6.4's call for 0W-40,i'd seriously look at it in Redline full synthetic.
Burla what's your take on this?

 

[Hemi_Venom]

The Hellcats and 6.4's call for 0W-40,i'd seriously look at it in Redline full synthetic.
Burla what's your take on this?

Oh? I hadn't considered that. From what I read, the slightly thicker oil is better for the turbo as it would leave an oil film making it easier for the turbo to spin and extends the life of the turbo. As I am a little new to the turbo world, I like to research and hear from people that know more about these things than I do lol. I had asked the same question on a FB group and the people that had done a turbo said 15w40, 10w30, 20w50 and 5w20. But nothing was consistent and no one had the same answers except for 2 guys saying that they've used 5w20 for 50k+ miles and no issues.
But I was referred to here by one of the guys as he said there are a lot of oil gurus here! The more input I get, the easier it is to make a decision! So I appreciate your guys' feedback!

 

[Wild one]

Oh? I hadn't considered that. From what I read, the slightly thicker oil is better for the turbo as it would leave an oil film making it easier for the turbo to spin and extends the life of the turbo. As I am a little new to the turbo world, I like to research and hear from people that know more about these things than I do lol. I had asked the same question on a FB group and the people that had done a turbo said 15w40, 10w30, 20w50 and 5w20. But nothing was consistent and no one had the same answers except for 2 guys saying that they've used 5w20 for 50k+ miles and no issues.
But I was referred to here by one of the guys as he said there are a lot of oil gurus here! The more input I get, the easier it is to make a decision! So I appreciate your guys' feedback!

Hi Shane,lol Put 2 and 2 together with my screen name,lol

 

[Hemi_Venom]

Hi Shane,lol Put 2 and 2 together with my screen name,lol

Bahahaha!! Rick Wild one lol. I don't know how I missed that one! Well you know the oil gurus here. See if some more chime in!

 

[Wild one]

Bahahaha!! Rick Wild one lol. I don't know how I missed that one! Well you know the oil gurus here. See if some more chime in!

I was waiting for you to catch on,lol

 

[Burla]

That's a good idea, I wish all of these hem's were turbo's. It's also nice because you don't have the same worries as modern turbo's that are direct injection. So the oil you pick for the hemi application would be vastly different imo.

I'd look for low noack and an oil that also doesn't shear, so yeah 5w30 redline fits the bill. Since you are in canada maybe 0w30 redline should be considered, if you have any issues with start up knock, I wouldn't hesitate to run 0w20 redline. That would not be my first choice, I'd try thicker for sure. Bottom line, I'd go thick as I could unless I had some start up knock, then it really makes sense to have redline if you end up with thinner choices as this redline will protect much better then thin otc stuff.

The real question would be if not redline then what, because redline is the easy answer for most of us. If you choose a non redline oil, I'd look at 0w40's that have mercedes and Porsche stay in grade specs, something like m1 extended or similar. Many 0w40's are built right on the 40 weight line and have pao base oils. Also even though 0w40 PUP isn't this, it is close enough to be a real good choice as well. Basically the same as 5w30 redline, but they will have more vii's, redline is likely to even show up thicker then the 0w40's in a voa because of the lack of shear. 0w40 is frowned on with di turbo's, but those same concerns are zero issue with a hemi turbo. Being that you are in Canada I'd probably pop in 0w30 redline and do a uoa maybe 2nd or third run. I might even be talked into 0w40 redline as well, if you felt like going a little thicker. That is what Corey is doing 0w30 redline with his engine that has hemi tick and says it is better then the 5w30 for starts.

I wouldn't consider 10w30 for Canada, and 20w50 might protect on the heat end but that is awful thick at start up. All said and done, what is going to be average rpm gains? I mean this will be still be street friendly I assume? I wouldn't want a thick winter rated oil, but I would want it decently thick at operating temps. This is very achievable.

Do a thread with your install? I would like to hear about it.

 

[novelmike]

Why don’t more guys do a turbo?
Personally, it’s rare my truck sees over 4000rpms. And it seems like that when superchargers realt come alive.
Turbos seem to provide a lot of low end power. And that’s where everyone drives and rows at.

 

[Hemi_Venom]

That's a good idea, I wish all of these hem's were turbo's. It's also nice because you don't have the same worries as modern turbo's that are direct injection. So the oil you pick for the hemi application would be vastly different imo.

I'd look for low noack and an oil that also doesn't shear, so yeah 5w30 redline fits the bill. Since you are in canada maybe 0w30 redline should be considered, if you have any issues with start up knock, I wouldn't hesitate to run 0w20 redline. That would not be my first choice, I'd try thicker for sure. Bottom line, I'd go thick as I could unless I had some start up knock, then it really makes sense to have redline if you end up with thinner choices as this redline will protect much better then thin otc stuff.

The real question would be if not redline then what, because redline is the easy answer for most of us. If you choose a non redline oil, I'd look at 0w40's that have mercedes and Porsche stay in grade specs, something like m1 extended or similar. Many 0w40's are built right on the 40 weight line and have pao base oils. Also even though 0w40 PUP isn't this, it is close enough to be a real good choice as well. Basically the same as 5w30 redline, but they will have more vii's, redline is likely to even show up thicker then the 0w40's in a voa because of the lack of shear. 0w40 is frowned on with di turbo's, but those same concerns are zero issue with a hemi turbo. Being that you are in Canada I'd probably pop in 0w30 redline and do a uoa maybe 2nd or third run. I might even be talked into 0w40 redline as well, if you felt like going a little thicker. That is what Corey is doing 0w30 redline with his engine that has hemi tick and says it is better then the 5w30 for starts.

I wouldn't consider 10w30 for Canada, and 20w50 might protect on the heat end but that is awful thick at start up. All said and done, what is going to be average rpm gains? I mean this will be still be street friendly I assume? I wouldn't want a thick winter rated oil, but I would want it decently thick at operating temps. This is very achievable.

Do a thread with your install? I would like to hear about it.

Thanks for the input! I will definitely consider those options!

The truck will still be a street truck. I'm hoping to be in the 550rwhp range once the turbo goes in. Lots done, and lots more to come! End goal will be 7-800rwhp. The turbo set up is being custom built by a local guy. But I will try and give as much info about the build on this forum once it's complete! What I can tell you is it's going to be a 7875 turbo!

As for driving, I rarely drive it in the winter. Only when I really need it for something. So maybe the 5w30 might be the better option to at least start out with. It's cammed with hellcat lifters and LT headers with full exhaust at the moment, so even if I had hemi tick for some reason, I probably couldn't even hear it haha. Thing is loooooud!

 

[Wild one]

Thanks for the input! I will definitely consider those options!

The truck will still be a street truck. I'm hoping to be in the 550rwhp range once the turbo goes in. Lots done, and lots more to come! End goal will be 7-800rwhp. The turbo set up is being custom built by a local guy. But I will try and give as much info about the build on this forum once it's complete! What I can tell you is it's going to be a 7875 turbo!

As for driving, I rarely drive it in the winter. Only when I really need it for something. So maybe the 5w30 might be the better option to at least start out with. It's cammed with hellcat lifters and LT headers with full exhaust at the moment, so even if I had hemi tick for some reason, I probably couldn't even hear it haha. Thing is loooooud!

Shane I trust Burla's expertise on this,and that's saying a lot.You know me,not very many guys I trust for information,but I gotta give credit to Burla,he's one of the few guys opinions i'll listen to,and usually heed his advice.
Rick

 

[Burla]

Just watch engine oil temps, if they go north to 250f, then you should look at the thick oils, meaning above 0w40. Basically thick oil at 250f becomes thin oil, so viscosity is always dependent on temperature.