Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
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Which oil do you use?

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Old Mar 16, 2017 | 07:31 AM
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Default Which oil do you use?

Searched but can't find a thread that discusses which oil us conversion people are using. So, what oil are you using and WHY?
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Old Mar 16, 2017 | 09:11 AM
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Well it depends on what your doing with it, forced induction, n20 or NA? FI folks usually use rotella 5w40 or 15w40 or some full syn oil. If its just a stock cruiser put what gm called for, which should be 5w30 syn blend. Alot of ppl just get whatever is onsale at the parts store

It a nutshell its just personal preference. I use motorcraft 10w30 diesel oil, mainly because i get it for $4 a quart but im also turbo.
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Old Mar 16, 2017 | 09:38 AM
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Rotella 15w40, non synthetic.

Works great on high mileage boosted setups that have a little extra clearance, and its designed for industrial vehicles so it takes heat and wear very well.
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Old Mar 16, 2017 | 08:33 PM
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Whatever synthetic is on sale works just fine in most roller cam engines,Rotella is my first choice for flat tappet engines,let the fireworks begin!
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Old Mar 17, 2017 | 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by tfi racing
let the fireworks begin!

I agree.

33willys, good luck with this age old debate. Asking which oil people use and why is like asking what one prefers to date or drive and why. Ten people are probably going to give you nine different answers. None of those answers are going to be supported in facts any mere mortals (i.e. those without a lab grade R&D department) can consistently reproduce.

Blonde, brunette, red head, black hair.
*****, butts, legs, feet.
Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Import.
Sports cars, race cars, family sedan, truck, SUV.
North, east, south, west.
HP Tuners, EFI Live, LS1 Edit, handheld programmer.
AEM, Innovate, Ballenger, etc.

All the above I mentioned are distinct choices with none truly being better in all ways for all people. If you read magazines or watch you tube, the big names always have ads or sponsor things. They must be best, right? No, they just have huge marketing budgets.

There is an entire forum devoted to this age old debate that will apparently never die. I suggest taking a read on that to see what the "professionals" on that forum suggest. Hahaha

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Old Mar 17, 2017 | 07:25 AM
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black hair, nice firm butt, chevy, race trucks, northwest, HPT, AEM

and with a little actual research....

whatever is on sale!!!!
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Old Mar 17, 2017 | 12:28 PM
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Back in the '80s I was a long distance BMW rider. Put Mobile 1 in my 1976 R75/6 and rode to an event. Talked to a factory rep there and told him about the swap. He went white in the face, weak kneed and told me the engine was not designed for synthetic. He said bearing clearances were designed for a larger molecule. Fast forward to the engine designs and metalurgy of today and a different requirement. I think the factory recommends synthetic but I'm really asking if the engine will live happy with non-synthetic?
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Old Mar 18, 2017 | 09:52 AM
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Might be helpful if you actually told us what kind of engine.....new, used (mileage?), stock, modded, how will it be used, operating temp/ambient temp range, etc.

" I think the factory recommends synthetic but I'm really asking if the engine will live happy with non-synthetic?" Why do you want to second guess the OEM recommendation?
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Old Mar 18, 2017 | 10:10 AM
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pretty much everything comes with synthetic in em these days, and has been for like ~20 years

but I generally look to mobile 1 for 5w-30, as it's a true group 4/5 synthetic and commonly available very cheap, $22 at walmart

here is a rather lengthy thing I read once and it made me go hmmm

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/201...-test-ranking/
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Old Mar 18, 2017 | 11:12 AM
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Thx for link - long read but fascinating.
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Old Mar 18, 2017 | 06:07 PM
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From: Little Austin
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Last time I changed the oil in the Cougar I poured in several bottles of Mobile 1 5-30 that I've had on the shelf for years and topped it off with some 20-50...because I had some...LOL

I've also used the Rottell 15-40...

Andrew
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