elias_799

iTrader: (8)

i will be starting to put on my turbo kit next month and was wondering what would be the best oil for my set up. (ls1 with lq9 heads, dual springs, dual roller, melling 296 oil pump, ls7 lifters) i was thinking 20w50 to help preserve my bearings. any input would be appreciated.

MY99TAWS6

iTrader: (3)

Are you talking for break in or all the time. For break in non synth for awhile is recommended. I ran some 10/30 oil at first for few hundred miles. It was really cold though when got my 408 and turbos up and running in late october so switched to 5 /30 for a few weeks. Think its too thin though and going to 10/40 after a month or so of spring weather and switching over to synth like at 1000 or mabye a couple thousand miles. I don't think 20/50 especially synth is going to hurt anything but not sure its necessary think most turbo gusy are running 10/40.

Oh my car is not winter driven just spring /summer and fall but it can get cold up here so was around 0 F when put it away in november.

elias_799

iTrader: (8)

i will be running my stock short block, so no break oil for me. car will not be winter driven after i install the turbo. so you think 10w40 is my best bet ?

ElectronSS

i run 20w50 royal purple in my combo, stock bottom

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

why would you break it in with non-synthetic? These engines dont have flat tappet lifters that require a special break in. And doesnt GM fill all the new corvettes with synthetic?

Photochop

iTrader: (74)

I'm on my 2nd 'change' of conventional oil on my build. Ran 10w30 conventional for the first 1K miles (new motor break-in) and changed it again to 10w30 conventional at 1K. Plan on changing it for 10w30 synthetic after the dyno tune is completed and will continue to use that weight and see how it likes it. May switch to a 10w40 for summer, but I doubt it. With a new motor during breakin, its silly to use a synthetic oil since you're only using it for 1K miles or less, simply a waste of money. The rumor is that running a synthetic oil during breakin because this can impair proper wear-in of rings and other parts. Dunno about that, but to me it was simply a waste of money to use synthetic for so few of miles.

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

There isnt any break in on these except ring sealing, and it happens pretty fast anyway. Ive always broke engines in with synthetic, mobil 1 0w40 never had an issue. never have rings not seal right away.
Rumors are rumors....obviously not facts. I just find it hard to believe you fire up an engine at its most critical state with cheap oil. makes no sense to me.

BigRich954RR

iTrader: (1)

I would say use a 5-30 for break in what ever brand oil you want run for like 2 heat cycle maybe 50ish miles change it out go synthetic pick the weight oil you need to keep you oil pressure in check at temp run it hard then change at next 1k 40 weight on one motor might give you 60 psi next motor maybe 80 to 100psi

elias_799

iTrader: (8)

you can not break in on synthetic oil because there is not enough friction to seal the rings. some engine builders actually use break in oil. it is non synthetic oil with added zink.

back on topic. i actually do not need to break in anything, i am just looking for the correct oil to run on my turbo ls1. i am leaning towards the thicker oils to help cushion my bearings from the added stress. hopefully some more turbo owners will chime in and give me some more opinions.

matt_paco2010

iTrader: (3)

If your motor is already broken in, and you're just adding turbos use a synthetic oil that can handle a lot of heat. The key is not allowing mineral oil to break down around the turbo center shaft causing coked bearings. And change every 1500mi. I like royal purple 5W30, whatever viscosity the manufacturer calls for.

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

The added zinc was for Hyd flat tappet lifters. I break engines in all the time on synthetic, and so does GM at a plant in Bowling Green... They make CORVETTES.
Rings seal just fine all the time. Instead of sealing in 45 seconds of run time maybe they seal in 47 seconds....not a big deal. Your hear-say is BS.

The correct oil you need is the same oil your engine always used. Turbos dont change the lubrication specifications for the engine.
I wouldnt use 20w50 in anything unless the engine was so worn out and was really loose and burned oil.

elias_799

iTrader: (8)

^^ i am sry but i don't know where you get your info from. adding turbo's does affect what oil you should be using, there will be allot more stress on the bearings then what the factory has intended. that is why i am leaning towards the thicker oil to cushion my bearings.

i know several people that tried breaking in their motors on synthetic oil and it never happened ( not a factory engine ). i don't HEAR - SAY BS i talk from what i have seen with my own eyes and what i have experienced. maybe GM breaks their engines with synthetic, i don't know, i don't work at the gm plant.