Bluestreak

Ok, a little background on my car and then a question up for debate...

I don't abuse the car - but it does see the upper RPM range from time to time on the street. I've made a grand total of 12 passes at the track in 2.5 years of ownership. It gets oil and filter changes (Mobil-1 filters only) changes every 3,500 to 4,000 miles regardless - I just change oil regularly to make sure the oil is as fresh as can be.

When I did my cam swap, the oil pooled up in the head was very clean despite having been in there for almost 4K miles. The heads, rocker arms, pushrods, etc. were all very clean. This leads me to believe that the synthetic is doing its job and doing it well.

Under these circumstances, taking into account these rather vague variables, am I really getting much out of using sythetic versus dyno oil? Is it worth the extra $15-$20 every time I change my oil?

racer88

Here is the oil consumption link warranty info on rings <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"> Oops it does not work. I have it prinited out. Looks like TSB # is 01-06-01-023

Higher than expected oil consumption (replace rings) 99-2001 Camaro, corvette 99-2001 Firebird w/ 5.7 L engines

This bulletin I have in hand is printed by GM....right from their system. Part # 88894299 Ring kit, Piston qty 8

Labor Operation in warranty J1307 Piston, Rod and or rings replace both banks.


Roger, it's not BS what you heard. GM has finally addressed the problem as stated in the above release, take a look!! <img src="images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

John, I will be sticking to it from here on out, I like the fact that when I jump on it, I don't see the oil pressure go down...as it sloshes back in the motor.

<img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

[ November 16, 2001: Message edited by: racer88 ]</p>

blackhawk2000

I'm gonna switch after I use up my supply. Pepboys had it mis priced right after I got the car for 1.18 a quart. Needless to say I cleaned them out! <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

Check6

Im using the Valvoline in my 01 formula also. I went with it because someone mentioned Mobil quietly changed the formulation of Mobil 1 making it more of a blend than a true synthetic. I dont know if that info is true but Valvoline is working fine for me so I will buy it again.

Patman

Does anyone know the technical specs on the Valvoline? (pour point, flash point, etc.) I emailed Valvoline asking them for this and they were going to snail mail it to me, but never did.

If I were to ever switch from Mobil 1 to another commercially available synthetic, it would most likely be Valvoline. The others don't appear to be very good at all (such as the Quaker State or Castrol synthetics for instance, both of which are junk)

Matt98SS

what weights do they offer in the Valvoline Synpower?

I run the 15w50 Mobil 1 now but as of late seems to be lacking a bit

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

[quote]Originally posted by Matt98SS:
<strong>what weights do they offer in the Valvoline Synpower?

I run the 15w50 Mobil 1 now but as of late seems to be lacking a bit</strong><hr></blockquote>

I've honestly only bought 5 and 10 W30, so I'm not sure what else they have. I'm pretty sure I've seen other weights on the shelf, but I don't remember what.

Basically, it all comes down to; Those who know, use Valvoline. <img src="images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

Fluffy uses it to keep his springs working... <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">
<img src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" />

[ November 16, 2001: Message edited by: RPM WS6 ]</p>

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

What about the synthetic blend? I bought some to try. My car uses oil like a diesel.

Bluestreak

I've heard good things about blends, but I have no first hand reports to base it on. Could anyone tell me about this?

I'm more inclined to spend the extra $20. I'm of the mindset that if you can afford a nice car, you can go an extra mile to take care of it...

2quick4u

Mine runs fino on dino oil. Semi-synthetic also seem to work well too. My own opinion is that if you change your oil every 3,000 miles anyway, your just throwing your money away on expensive synthetics. If you want your engine to last forever, then just put dino oil in it, and change your oil every weekend.

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

John, I agree with you.

The only reason why I'm thinking of switching is that some people have seen the oil consumption drop with the Valvoline & Royal Purple and I think that would be a worthwhile benefit.

ShooterSS

iTrader: (3)

I'm running Royal Purple on an '01. Not a drop so far with over 1000 miles on it. I know BradWS6 and FASTR A4 are running it too with some luck. <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

Brad, didn't you go back to an oil change of Mobil1 and end up burning some oil before going back to Royal Purple.

Also, Tom Izzo at LS1Speed.com carries Royal Purple 5W-30 now and I just got 2 cases delivered today. <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

IndyZ28

I'm also using Valvoline Syntec right now. I have used both in the past. I burn about a quart every 3000 miles, but I suffer from the dreaded low load, high rpm driving habits that GM says accelerate's oil burning in LS1's. I love 2500-3500 rpm's, exhaust sounds good, nice hit to the tire's by just putting my foot down which makes the front end lift enough to scare every soccer mom in a minivan.

racer88

I used Mobil 1 10W30 since my car was new and the the oil change before Valvoline Synpower I had the low oil light come on before my 3000 miles.

I have checked the oil other times within my 3K intervals and have had to add one time 1 1/2 qts.

I changed to Synpower and my car has been to the track 3 times (made about 10 passes) has been on a long fast road trip (alot of hard accelerating in an Fbody caravn) has been dyno'd (3 WOT pulls) and I have not used any oil!! <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">

I have about 500 miles to go til its at the 3K change interval. My PSI is around 50 driving in 4th, 5th gears just cruising.....so that is good.

I am happy with it so far. I guess I am sticking to Synpower from now on.

Just thought I'd pass that info along.

Claire <img src="images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

Bluestreak

I just posted this in another thread a few minutes ago. Those are the same exact results I got, Claire. I was burning about 1-qt. every 3,500 miles. With Synpower, that's reduced to about 0.5 quarts.

When I get around to doing the PCV mod, I am reasonably certain it'll stop burning oil altogether. I am not sure, but I thought the 01/02's got upgraded piston rings to help alleviate the oil consumption problem. Somebody shed some light on that please, or tell me if what I heard is bullshit...

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

It was only the ’02s that got the new rings.

Yes, I also use SynPower (10W30). It’s really the best oil I’ve tried yet, and I tried a lot. My oil burning still isn’t gone completely, but this did reduce it. Also, doing the vertical PCV setup help too, but I can still see that it uses a little even with that.

Running my Metco breather seems to have all but cleared up my oil consumption issues. I think mine were mostly PCV related to begin with.

ARTY99z

MOBIL 1 S*CKS, Had the same results as you guys.

2quick4u

Mobile 1 does not do very well in LS1s. Others have also posted about this. I don't know why GM puts it in factory 'Vettes, dumb move IMO. You will find that you get less oil consumption, less leaks, and better oil pressure even with non-synthetic oils in the LS1 than with Mobile 1.

Patman

Synthetic blends are the biggest scam on the market! Some of them contain as little as 10% synthetic in them, yet they are a lot more costly than dino oil.

Personally I recommend a full synthetic, however if you want to go with a blend, you're better off mixing it yourself by buying 3 quarts of dino oil and 3 quarts of synthetic and mixing the two.

Bluestreak

I just got the new GMHTP last weekend, while on the throne last night, there was a very good article about the benefits of synthetics. It basically breaks down to a reasonably cheap insurance policy of sorts, not guaranteeing more power from your motor, but more longevity and performance throughout its life.

Moral of the story? I'll be sticking with synthetics, no matter how often I change oil.