Meager

New to the world of LS1's.. I am big believer in synthetic oil tho.. would anyone recommend NOT changing to syn. given the mileage? not sure of the past oil that was ran in the motor? also what weight syn would you recommend if so?

99FormulaM6r

iTrader: (2)

Try it out, there's a chance the main seals could leak. Conventional oil has a way of making the seals swell up, and when switching to synthetic if the seals are old they can allow oil to leak. Also, synthetic oil molecules are smaller than conventional, so that allows greater chance for the seals to allow oil to slip by.

Worst case scenario, you keep an eye on your garage floor and your oil level. If it leaks then you switch back to conventional. If it doesn't, then you're good to go!

FUN LS1

It came from the factory with Mobil synthetic 5W-30, but it could have anything in it now. I've always run synthetic. You'll probably get a lot of opinions about which oil and which viscosity, though...

Meager

wow! thanks for the quick response! I will give it a shot and see what happens. had a question about engine noise on cold start up but, thanks to everyone I have determined its a little bit of piston slap..

Anyone have an answer for this??

shifting from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, I am getting a noise. Its not a clunk but more like a creeking sound like a load is shifting on something metal.. brakes applied or not doesn't seem to have an affect on the noise.

"00 Auto trans am..

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

Synthetic oil holds up , protects , cleans and reconditions better. I had an oil leak when i first got my car, a year and a half of synthetic changes and its no more..I wouldnt use anything but...The last change I used the new Pennzoil Ultra. Its a little more expensive but suppose to perform great.

Optimus_Prime

iTrader: (4)

Cars take motor oil

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

Do they?

Dummybait

AMSOIL FTW

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

Amsoils good the only problem is you cant just run up to any store and buy it. Pennzoil Ultra ftmfw

myk

iTrader: (4)

THIS is why I visit LS1 Tech; the wealth of information here is so helpful. Without LS1 Tech there's no way I could've figured this out on my own.

THANK YOU LS1 TECH!!!!

Dummybait

well if your are a preferred customer or a dealer just order it... but yeah i see your point...

my father is a dealer...so i get the stuff through him.

preferred membership is cheap.. https://www.amsoil.com/AmsoilLogin/PreferredApp.aspx

Optimus_Prime

iTrader: (4)

I use 20w50 motorcycle oil

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

I am a dealer...for atleast another mth anyway...after paying the shipping it still isnt worth it.

thatguy383

iTrader: (1)

do it.

91RS383

My auto made a simillar noise with the stock converter. It doesn't do it with the loose one installed now.

When I put it in gear all the weight would shift as the car tried to move foreward or reverse against the brake. There were a couple of creaks and moans, but that's normal. Combination of GM build quality and LS tq.

91RS383

Since you don't know what's in the car now, this doesn't really apply to you...

I get a kick out of threads that say " I have 130K+ miles on my _____ and it runs great. It doesn't burn oil or leak, and has great oil pressure. Should I switch to _______ oil?

Why? What you're using has been working.

99FormulaM6r

iTrader: (2)

lol, well, good point. However, I do think that switching to synthetic isn't going to hurt anything, in fact, it should help.

My bro ran 272k on the clock on his 1990 Olds (same model as mine) with conventional oil before he hit a deer. I run conventional in my Olds, and have 123k on the clock (nothing for the 3.8), and I would recommend conventional oil to anybody driving a normal car or truck. However, I would only run synthetic in any performance engine or on an engine that may regularly see the upper end of the RPM range. Would conventional be enough? Yes, especially if the oil change intervals are proper. Would synthetic benefit you? Probably, anything that can help reduce wear on an engine IMO is a good thing.

I do understand what you're saying tho. Apparently those drivers have been doing something right (not using junk oil and changing it properly). I'd much rather run conventional oil in my LS1 and change it every 3k than be one of those people that thinks 10k on synthetic is perfectly fine....

JM0523

Whats oil? I keep hearing people on here talking about changing oil? Am i supposed to change something in my car?

Meager

Thanks for all the help. and sweet comments.. glad I copuld get something started!

Mark_O

I've been running Synthetic Oil in my 99' Z28 since I drove her off the lot with 11 miles on the clock. She now has 114K plus on her and the LS1 Tech at Day's Chevrolet in Acworth is amazed that my engine doesn't even show gasket and seal seepage. I Seafoam (TM) the engine for 200 miles once a year. I also change the oil every three thousand miles or less; yes I know there are people who say I'm throwing away money but I'm the guy with no leaks on an engine that is notorious for leaking oil. Coincidence? I have to admit maybe.

In your case I suggest to call around and speak to at least one LS1 tech at a Chevrolet/Pontiac dealership near you and get their input, my guess is that they may tell you to continue running regular oil so that the gaskets and seals do not begin to leak from changing oil types.

Enjoy and take care of that LS1.