Saleen SC Oil

blackjack07

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I checked through post histories and didn't find any reference to this topic so here goes for those that may benefit from this info. For any of the other 20,000 plus Series VI Saleen Supercharger owners out there, and as many of you may already know, you need to check the oil level in your SC reservoir every 40,000 mi or 4 years, whichever comes first. Saleen recommends, or did, 50,000 miles. This is for those that don't know, like me, that it's a major PIA to do so. I was closing in on 35,000 mi and dug in to researching DIY methods for confirming the oil level and service efforts. The inspection nut/reservoir fill is underneath the coolant crossover pipe. Everything above that point has to be removed just to access the 3/8 inch nut. My local shop was up to the task and I supplied all the parts. Now on to the good part. Jason at 281 Motorsports in Fullerton (who has been previously mentioned in the forum) has designed and has manufactured a dip stick/filler tube to avoid all that aforementioned work in order to check the reservoir level. See pics attached and look for the red cap for the finished install. Fortunately for me, my team shop saved the old SC oil for color and quantity comparison and managed the tear down and rebuild in a little under three hours. All's well, the car runs great and no more worries about the SC oil level or how to check it. Hope this helps if anyone else is wondering.

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06 T-RED S/C GT

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I've been pondering the very same for years as well. So my question is what steps are required for installing the Saleen dip stick/filler tube, does it also require uninstalling the water crossover pipe?
 

msvela448

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Yes, you still have to take off the coolant crossover tube to remove the plug to the reservoir, in order to install the 281Motorsports dipstick adapter. I have heard that some have been able to get the plug out with a wobble Allen wrench without removing the coolant crossover... But goodluck with that.

Even with the dipstick adapter... You still have to suction out the oil manually with a vacuum pump or a turkey baster ... No way to get it completely empty without taking off the front snout of the s/c.

When you replace the oil use the GM Supercharger oil, Part # 12345982. It should take a little over a bottle... So you'll need to get two.
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blackjack07

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I've been pondering the very same for years as well. So my question is what steps are required for installing the Saleen dip stick/filler tube, does it also require uninstalling the water crossover pipe?

To paraphrase msvela448^^^, yes you will have to remove the coolant crossover pipe. In order to get to that point though the CAI, throttle body, serpentine belt and alternator also must be taken off. Be sure to drain a couple gallons of coolant out of the radiator to prevent coolant from ponding on your block when you remove the crossover. PIA, right?

For Ford/Motorcraft purists like me, I picked up two bottles of the supercharge "fluid" from my local dealership who had it in stock (see attached pic) but you can get it on Amazon for around $40-$45. My guy pumped out all the fluid he could which was about 4.5 oz. He topped it off with the new which was about 6+ oz. Reservoir is supposed to hold 8 oz new.

Lastly, the new dip stick tube comes with a wire "feeler" that checks to see if the fluid is all the way to the top of the reservoir. I modified that a bit so I can see if the level goes down further and by how much. The tube is also 3/8 dia so a large syringes with 1/4 dia tube will fit inside the tube to top off the fluid if need be.

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06 T-RED S/C GT

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Yes, you still have to take off the coolant crossover tube to remove the plug to the reservoir, in order to install the 281Motorsports dipstick adapter. I have heard that some have been able to get the plug out with a wobble Allen wrench without removing the coolant crossover... But goodluck with that.

Even with the dipstick adapter... You still have to suction out the oil manually with a vacuum pump or a turkey baster ... No way to get it completely empty without taking off the front snout of the s/c.

When you replace the oil use the GM Supercharger oil, Part # 12345982. It should take a little over a bottle... So you'll need to get two.
9b0987c823831ef93deebd9c2194ac6b.jpg


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Shortly after responding, I realized just how stupid the question regarding the coolant crossover pipe was lol. I've also read somewhere on this forum that using a flexible Allen wrench can also remove the drain plug without having to take off the coolant crossover pipe, but with my luck, it would just be much better off to take off the coolant crossover in order to provide a direct path to the drain plug.

To paraphrase msvela448^^^, yes you will have to remove the coolant crossover pipe. In order to get to that point though the CAI, throttle body, serpentine belt and alternator also must be taken off. Be sure to drain a couple gallons of coolant out of the radiator to prevent coolant from ponding on your block when you remove the crossover. PIA, right?

For Ford/Motorcraft purists like me, I picked up two bottles of the supercharge "fluid" from my local dealership who had it in stock (see attached pic) but you can get it on Amazon for around $40-$45. My guy pumped out all the fluid he could which was about 4.5 oz. He topped it off with the new which was about 6+ oz. Reservoir is supposed to hold 8 oz new.

Lastly, the new dip stick tube comes with a wire "feeler" that checks to see if the fluid is all the way to the top of the reservoir. I modified that a bit so I can see if the level goes down further and by how much. The tube is also 3/8 dia so a large syringes with 1/4 dia tube will fit inside the tube to top off the fluid if need be.

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So in other words, just in order to get access to the coolant crossover pipe, the throttle body, CAI, serpentine belt and alternator all have to be removed first? Geez what a PIA to go thru just to reach a lousy drain plug, but it is what it is lol. Anyway, I'll either go with the Motorcraft supercharger oil or 16oz Nye Saleen supercharger oil from Brenspeed and also go with the large syringe with 1/4 diameter tube for both draining and replacing the old oil with as you mentioned. More than likely would be far more effective over using a turkey baster, to begin with anyhow lol. Meanwhile, here's an image and link for the Nye/Saleen supercharger oil from Brenspeed.

https://www.brenspeed.com/saleenoil.html

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blackjack07

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Not having tried it, I suppose you could remove the bolts on the crossover and move it aside enough to get to the inspect plug but that work space would be mighty tight. The belt comes off in a snap, there's only two bolts that hold the alternator in place and the CAI takes about 15 seconds. The lousy-est step is draining the coolant and then pulling the crossover. The new dip stick fitting threads into the old plug threads so you'll want to have as much finger/wrench room as comfortable. For draining the old fluid, I'm told parking on a 3-5% downslope and using the vacuum pump will result in getting the most old fluid out. Jason's 281 Motorsports fix is a true heaven sent remedy for what should be a simple task. Good luck!
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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Being as you've went thru this from personal experience, it does in fact make the most sense to take off the throttle body, CAI, alternator and belt first in order to provide the most work space. And no doubt about draining all the coolant and then pulling the crossover as being the lousiest step lol. Needless to say, I'll most definitely be purchasing Jason's 281 motorsports Saleen dip stick/filler tube, no question about it. Meanwhile, I'll be needing all the good luck as I can possibly get, as I'm not looking forward to going thru all this anytime soon lol.
 

msvela448

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The Nye 605 oil is exactly the same as the GM 12345982 and the Ford ESE-M99C115-A

You'll just find that the GM product is usually the best price.

The page below is from the Saleen Supercharger maintenance manual. Even Nye's own material data sheet shows the Ford and GM part numbers.
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06 T-RED S/C GT

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As long as those pair of 4 ounce bottles is enough to fill the supercharger? then I really don't see the need in paying more for the 16 ounce bottle of Nye synthetic 605 oil from Brenspeed. Therefore, if the GM product is usually the best price? then why pay more IMHO :shrug:
 

blackjack07

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Being as you've went thru this from personal experience, it does in fact make the most sense to take off the throttle body, CAI, alternator and belt first in order to provide the most work space. And no doubt about draining all the coolant and then pulling the crossover as being the lousiest step lol. Needless to say, I'll most definitely be purchasing Jason's 281 motorsports Saleen dip stick/filler tube, no question about it. Meanwhile, I'll be needing all the good luck as I can possibly get, as I'm not looking forward to going thru all this anytime soon lol.

Tell you what, Jason's kit comes with a full description of the process with step-by-step photos. In retrospect it is literally just a, high on the PIA spectrum list of tasks but very gratifying when complete. I believe our builds are very similar and once you add this little check tube you'll sleep better.

Oh, one last LPT. Be sure to check and fill the intercooler fluid coolant when you're ready to fire her back up. Easy to overlook...cheers!
 
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06 T-RED S/C GT

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Tell you what, Jason's kit comes with a full description of the process with step-by-step photos. In retrospect it is literally just a, high on the PIA spectrum list of tasks but very gratifying when complete. I believe our builds are very similar and once you add this little check tube you'll sleep better.

Oh, one last LPT. Be sure to check and fill the intercooler fluid coolant when you're ready to fire her back up. Easy to overlook...cheers!
Yes, I definitely agree that our builds are indeed very similar and cannot thank you enough for providing such valuable information. I also have no doubt that once I add Jason's dip stick/filler tube kit, I will most definitely sleep much better at the end of the day. Meanwhile, I'll also make certain not to forget checking/filling the intercooler tank as well. Btw: also my apologies for forgetting to welcome you aboard sooner :waytogo:
 

scramblr

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I've had the Saleen for about 12 years and never take off the crossover to change/check the oil. I use a syringe with a tube to suck the old oil out and use the GM oil to replace. I'd like that dipstick from 281 but their website has been down for a long time to look around or order anything. Then again, if the crossover has to come off to remove the dipstick to replace the oil, then to me it's not worth it.
 

blackjack07

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I've had the Saleen for about 12 years and never take off the crossover to change/check the oil. I use a syringe with a tube to suck the old oil out and use the GM oil to replace. I'd like that dipstick from 281 but their website has been down for a long time to look around or order anything. Then again, if the crossover has to come off to remove the dipstick to replace the oil, then to me it's not worth it.

Jason has his hands full from the sense that I get when I can actually talk to him. He will respond occasionally on their Facebook page but his office manager Genny usually picks up.

And for any of those pondering the effort to pull the reservoir plug, please find the best pic I could take of the dip stick base installed under the crossover. The red cap is visible at the very top of the frame.IMG_5429.jpg
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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I've had the Saleen for about 12 years and never take off the crossover to change/check the oil. I use a syringe with a tube to suck the old oil out and use the GM oil to replace. I'd like that dipstick from 281 but their website has been down for a long time to look around or order anything. Then again, if the crossover has to come off to remove the dipstick to replace the oil, then to me it's not worth it.

Is this by any chance the same method you use when changing/checking the S/C oil without having to take off the crossover coolant pipe?

On the oil changing/checking... removing the two alternator bolts and setting it aside is really no big deal... and I guess I’ve done this so many times for other activities that I just don’t mind. Same with removing the intake tube... routine stuff. That crossover pipe is another story and I didn’t want to touch that either, and you don’t have to. You just need a tiny ratchet to which you insert a Allen bit to turn the plug. I’m providing a picture of the one I use, which was recommended to me by other series VI owners. With this little guy you can get a couple of clicks in each direction as you loosen and remove the oil change bolt. You then use a oil siphon pump to pump out the old dirty oil and then pump in new clean supercharger oil (which I get at Summit). To check the oil I just stick a clear colored tie wrap end down in there a little and make sure the oil is at the top and not looking dark/dirty. Also providing a couple of pics showing the bolt behind the alternator. Look center of pic and you can see the bottom half of the top of the bolt in the light.

Happy to answer more questions anytime... I pretty much know this car inside-out by now... have taken a lot of it apart and modified many things.

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bmeaggie

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If it was more often than 50,000 miles or whatever, it would drive me insane. But this blower really is great IMO... I’ve got the Brenspeed Detroit blower cam, kooks longtube and h-pipe setup, +15% lower, 2.80 upper, and my boost gauge hits 16psi going all out even with all the pressure-reducing mods.

Key to the Saleen VI running great at this power level (besides changing the damn oil) is the heat exchanger and pump... I tried a few and finally got to the VMP triple pass jobber with fans and the ‘13-‘14 GT500 pump. My IATs never really raise above 130 when driving like a maniac. Cruising they are around 100. Great setup without breaking the bank.
 

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