whats the *best* oil to use?
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 0
I don't burn a drop of oil. I switched to Mobil 1 5w30 at about 20k miles, and I am sitting at 34k now. When I did my cam swap everything looked nice, hardly any wear. I have heard that you can switch back to regular oil. The method I heard is to first run an oil change and do 50/50 synthetic and regular oil, followed the next oil change with straight regular oil.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma city
I have used 5-30 mobile 1 in my z24 until I traded it for my z28, and still used mobile 1 5-30w. Two months ago I switched to the german made syntec 0-40w (i believe) under the advice of patman. I kid you not my oil pressure went up and I really think my piston slap got quieter, and I seem to run smoother. Maybe I going crazy but it's the truth. I don't seem to burn 1 quart between oil changes like I used to. Just my .02
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Texas is home; Sasebo Japan for now :(
Originally Posted by zombie1
I have used 5-30 mobile 1 in my z24 until I traded it for my z28, and still used mobile 1 5-30w. Two months ago I switched to the german made syntec 0-40w (i believe) under the advice of patman. I kid you not my oil pressure went up and I really think my piston slap got quieter, and I seem to run smoother. Maybe I going crazy but it's the truth. I don't seem to burn 1 quart between oil changes like I used to. Just my .02
where do you find that oil?
do they sell it at normal places or do you have to order it?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma city
Originally Posted by 02blackws679ta
where do you find that oil?
do they sell it at normal places or do you have to order it?
do they sell it at normal places or do you have to order it?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
The German made Castrol 0w30 is awesome stuff, I highly recommend it.
On the topic of Royal Purple, I'm not a fan of their 5w30 or 10w30 in the LS1, however their Racing 41 version is a perfect fit in the LS1 in warm weather.
Here is a quick list of the oils I like for the LT1 and LS1:
German Castrol 0w30
Amsoil 5w30, 0w30, 10w40
Redline 5w30, 5w40, 10w40
Mobil 1 5w40, 0w40
Royal Purple Racing 41
Also, Kendall 5w40 has recently shown very good oil analysis results in an LS1, and Castrol's 5w40 Syntec would also probably work very well.
On the topic of Royal Purple, I'm not a fan of their 5w30 or 10w30 in the LS1, however their Racing 41 version is a perfect fit in the LS1 in warm weather.
Here is a quick list of the oils I like for the LT1 and LS1:
German Castrol 0w30
Amsoil 5w30, 0w30, 10w40
Redline 5w30, 5w40, 10w40
Mobil 1 5w40, 0w40
Royal Purple Racing 41
Also, Kendall 5w40 has recently shown very good oil analysis results in an LS1, and Castrol's 5w40 Syntec would also probably work very well.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by 02blackws679ta
being that its a 40 weight, that wont make any difference?
and since its 0, does that mean its even thinner than 5 and 10?
and since its 0, does that mean its even thinner than 5 and 10?
The first number indicates how well it flows in the cold. A 0w oil will outflow a 5w oil and a 5w oil will outflow a 10w oil. So the 0w oils will provide quicker lubrication on startup in cool weather. And generally speaking, a 0w oil is better built since it needs a better base oil in order to flow that well. The wave of the future is 0w oils now. You'll see a lot of new cars working very well running 0w20 (new Hondas, Mazdas and Fords work well with this oil!) and you'll see more 0w30 and 0w40 oils coming out in the future too.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by popocamaro2
Stick with the Mobil 1 think its the best
I'm not saying you can't get long engine life with M1 5w30/10w30, however your chances are much better with something thicker. The harder you drive, the more you need something more robust.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Garden City, Michigan
Hey Patman - do you have any recommendations staying with dino oil - or do you think the LS1's are just much better suited for synth's? I'm at 4k miles, and was planning on keeping dino oil in for the warranty length (36000 miles) just because of the simplicity of having the dealership do oil changes and know that it's correctly documented just in case there are warranty issues (knock on wood). If / when I switch to synthetic's I'll do the changes myself. Also I know the cost of synth's can be offset by longer times between changes - but at least for my warranty period that scares me just a bit.
Dan
Dan
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Dan, I do prefer synthetics, however if someone wants to save money there are some good choices in dinos or blends. I like Castrol GTX 10w40, or Pennzoil 10w40. Also, the high mileage oils are pretty good too, such as GTX HM or Pennzoil HM. Castrol Syntec Blend 10w30 is also pretty good. Stay away from 5w30 dino oils, they thin out far too easily.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by WS6 #4541
I'm going to use the Castrol German made 0w30. My question is how will the 0 weight hold up when the temps are getting around warmer out side? I like to race it about twice a month.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by Lswonder
I use amsoil 100% synthetic. cost lest than redline and roil purple. last 25,000 miles. need i say more