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Hey guys and Gals.
I am currently using Royal Purple 5W-30 in my 02 Camaro SS, thinking of going with Amsoil 20w-50 or 15w-40. What engine oil and grade are you using why?
Royal Purple
Red Line
Amsoil
M1 0W40 only for all of my LS1s since the early '00s. UOAs have always shown great results with this oil in LS1s, and it's easy to find at a decent price, so I've stuck with it over the years.
I use Valvoline VR1 for my old flat tappet stuff though.
If the engine has not been opened i.e. stock I'd pay more attention to what is in the oil vs weight. If it's been built for specific use I'd use what the engine builder tells you to based on bearing clearances.
I wouldn't go from what the OEM spec calls for at 5-30 to a 20-50. Seems like that would be excessive for OEM tolerances. I know some people change weight slightly based on ambient temps whether really cold or really warm.
That said, Schaeffer's Supreme 7000 and Syn Shield Durability Advantage. I'd consider taking a look at Brad Penn as an option B.
Hey guys and Gals.
I am currently using Royal Purple 5W-30 in my 02 Camaro SS, thinking of going with Amsoil 20w-50 or 15w-40. What engine oil and grade are you using why?
Royal Purple
Red Line
Amsoil
Thanks
GM DR
Everybody knows that Castrol 20W50 is the best engine oil for your LS engine. What in the hells the matter with you boy.. All kidding aside there's no reason to run that thick of an oil for standard bearing clearance.
50w is for rods and mains with .003 > I ran Royal Purple 5w30 for years until a threw a rod and swore to never run that oil again..Bad mojo..It really wasn't the oils fault why the engine thew the rod but I haven't ran that oil since losing the LS1 and nothing against Royal Purple, there's just better oils out there for wear protection. I believe Amsoil, Redline and Mobile1 are probably the best ones out there but truth be told any 30 or 40 weight oil either conventional, full synthetic or blended can lubricate the engine as long as there's plenty of it present during operation and it's changed routinely.
I guess it depends if your engine is stock?? I stick with the owner's manual (see below) for all my rides. My '01 T/A just hit 84,000 miles with no issues. I've used both grades shown and all different brands from Quaker State and Mobil 1 to Kendall to Castrol and others. Now if you are hard on your car, that might matter as well. Mine is mostly a cruiser and has been all over the USA.
This is a really broad question. I have long been a proponent of outlawing this question on this site. ...Much like outlawing playing Stairway to Heaven in a guitar store.
The heavy weight oils you mentioned would act like cement in your engine in cold weather, so @NC01TA 's post is instructive. If you want to get into technical stuff about oil, this is a great site: https://bobistheoilguy.com/
The truth of the world is that most F Bodies in circulation are destined for the crusher and only need (and deserve) the cheapest bottle of oil on the shelf that meets the specifications in the Owners Manual. If you have special features of your engine, or if you have oil problems, or are looking to get something special out of your oil, please share that. (Otherwise, you are likely to receive a lot of digested and regurgitated corporate marketing in our responses.)
If you are worried about your engine and your oil, I would recommend starting with an oil analysis first. (Otherwise, you are just shooting in the dark.) I use this company and have been happy with their output: https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
There are some smart cookies over at bobistheoilguy.com and it seems Amsoil #1 and Pennzoil platinum ultra #2.
If u ever saw Amsoil’s facility, u wouldn’t buy from anyone else. Top notch stuff there. No fluids are contaminated unlike most facilities which cross contaminate. Incredible stuff.
ive been running it for yeaaarrrssss and drive my car kinda hard. my old daily was a mazsdaspeed 3 and it had Rotella T6 in it for longer than i owned it. i drove it for over 100K in 5 years.
Shell Rotella® T6 Multi-Vehicle 5W-30 full synthetic heavy duty engine oil is formulated to perform well in gasoline engines, without sacrificing protection in diesels. It provides protection against wear, deposits and oil breakdown, as well as providing better fuel economy and high/low temperature performance.
02-15-2024, 10:33 AM
What Engine oil do you use??????? 
All kidding aside there's no reason to run that thick of an oil for standard bearing clearance.
I ran Royal Purple 5w30 for years until a threw a rod and swore to never run that oil again..Bad mojo..It really wasn't the oils fault why the engine thew the rod but I haven't ran that oil since losing the LS1 and nothing against Royal Purple, there's just better oils out there for wear protection. I believe Amsoil, Redline and Mobile1 are probably the best ones out there but truth be told any 30 or 40 weight oil either conventional, full synthetic or blended can lubricate the engine as long as there's plenty of it present during operation and it's changed routinely. 
