cory04gto

I am about to cam my ls1 with 100k miles and I want to know what oil you guys prefer. thanks!

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

obviously make sure you use engine assembly lube. I ran 4 quarts of reg oil and 1 quart of a high zinc oil, like valvoline VR-1. After around 500 miles I ran mobil clean 5000 or whatever its being called these days. Just the conventional 5000 mile oil. I would change it out around 3000-3500. do it in all my cars.

I am sure there are people who are far more religious then me when it comes to this. But you should use a break in/high zinc oil, and you definitely need to change it out shortly after. Doesn't hurt to change the filter between oil changes either.

93M6Formula

You don't need to break in a cam....this isn't the 70's anymore.

Just use whatever but don't cheap out. I prefer Castrol GTX, i've always used it in everything I drive. Cheap oil will kill a motor. I've seen multiple SBCs that had bad maintenance schedules and used cheap oil and the inside of those motors was terrible. And who the hell doesn't change there oil filter every oil change? Thats dumb to me but to each there own. It's an extra $4...

mjs1012

iTrader: (36)

I use mobil 1 0w40 which is supposed to have higher zinc content than the standard m1 oils.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I also prefer M1 0W40 for LS1s.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I'm going to switch from M1 5w30 to the 20w50 conventional VR1 in the spring. We'll see how it goes...

2002 blue z28

iTrader: (1)

I run VR1 10w30 with the long wix filter.

CGCBandit

been using 5/40 rotella t6 in my ls motors for a long time now.

Sales2@Texas-speed

iTrader: (5)

Valvoline VR1 10w30 is really good oil and you can usually pick it locally.

RockinWs6

I use Pennzoil cheap yellow bottle 10-30. <works super!

dailydriver

Also higher; TBN (Total Base Number), moly content, slightly better base stock, more boron, and MUCH higher VI (viscosity index) than not only standard Mobil 1, but most ALL other, readily available, 'on the shelf' at Wal Mart/Pep Boyzz/AZ/AA, non 'boutique' (like Red Line, Motul, etc.) oils.

All of this for ~$5.00/quart in the jugs at Wallys, or on sale by the quart at the other places.

It is one of the world's best oils as far as meeting the very highest, demanding, manufacturers' specs.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

I like the VR1 for my old flat tappet SBC, but don't really see a need for it in a stock cam LS1. With high lift/aggressive ramp rate aftermarket cams, I guess the higher ZDDP is beneficial even for a roller cam.

Either way, nobody sells 10w30 VR1 in my area. You can get 20w50, and usually straight 30-40-50, but never 10w30 (who buys straight 50 weight in Chicago, at ANY time of year?!). I always order the 10w30 (VV205) online.

NVUSZ28

iTrader: (5)

I second

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

I use Mobil 1 5W-30 in both my cars...

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Any oil will work. These are normal, every day engines.....absolutely NOTHING exotic or special about them.

Buy the cheapest one off the shelf. I personally used 20w50 Castrol GTX cheap conventional oil.......173,000 miles out of a fully built 427ci stroker, beating the **** out of it for 10+ years as my daily driver. It saw top speed runs every week for its whole life.

My new fully forged 390ci is only getting conventional 20w50 Valvoline.......oil changes at 3,000.

Nothing else can be done to protect an engine better. Well, except more frequent changes........lol

.......I might start using 4.5 quarts of regular 20w50 Valvoline and 1 art of VR1 Racing Valvoline......for some zinc. But I'll probably skip that too, it just doesn't need it.

.

beyonddisturbed

iTrader: (5)

I always run Mobil 1 5w30 in my ls and vortec. Change about 3k and no prollems

rcerex

I use Moble 1 5w30 in my ls motors with a K&N oil filter too, never had any problems.

slt200mph

iTrader: (42)

I used to use M1 0-40 but have not been able to find it for the last 4 years. Started using M1 10-40 a few years ago. Short block has 261,000 miles on it and still strong. No oil consumption. Oil and filter changed at 5,000 mile intervals its whole life.

ThatOneKid

In my area, they always have it in stock at the local parts stores

trans_am7935

iTrader: (15)

This is a perfect example that changing your oil at regular intervals is much more important then what kind of oil you run. Sure Syn oils are better then regular (supposedly) but for me i just change mine when it gets dirty, which is about 2000 - 2500 or so miles for me, and put in a bottle of ZDDP Plus for my high lift cam.

After seeing my first cam become pitted after installing if for 8k miles and new lifters, i have added the ZDDP Plus additive for the last 14k miles on the new one, same specs, and no pitting to date. Makes me feel all happy in the pants, so i use it.