Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 11:24 AM
  #1  
jpz28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: houston,texas
Default OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Ok..I hear alot of people using 5W-30...but what's the difference between 5W-30...and 10W-30?
which one is thicker/thinner?....which is better in cold/hot whether?........and what is 0W-30?..I saw it at Wal-Mart...it was a Mobil 1?... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> ....

<small>[ November 06, 2002, 01:38 PM: Message edited by: Colonel ]</small>
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 04:04 PM
  #2  
CAT3's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 7,603
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Good tip, edit your post to show you are asking about oil and PATMAN will see it. He is the man you need to get the info from, he has a few posts in this section if you flip thru and maybe has covered this info already. I seen the 0W-30 also, interesting none the less. Good-Luck.

Charlie.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 01:39 PM
  #3  
Colonel's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

I edited the title to help you out and I'm going to move it to the Internal Engine section... <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 01:50 PM
  #4  
Patman's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

5w30 will be thinner than 10w30 on a cold start, and theoretically they should be the same weight at operating temperature. But in reality it doesn't always work that way. In order to qualify for the 5w30designation, it needs more viscosity index improvers to keep the oil from being too thin at operating temp. So what ends up happening is that those VII end up shearing back and the oil eventually thins out to a 5w20. 10w30 uses less VII and therefore is more stable.

As another note, not all 5w30s and 10w30s are created equal either, to add more confusion. In order to be a 30wt oil, it has to have a viscosity of between 9.3 cst at 100c and 12.5 cst at 100c. So one oil brand could be at the thicker end and be 12.0, while another could be on the thin end and be a 9.5. That's why it pays to look up the technical specs on an oil before deciding which one to run.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 01:51 PM
  #5  
LS1LT1's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,331
Likes: 0
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

5w-30 is thinner than 10w-30 and I'm sure that Patman will probably also tell you that you should stick with the 10w-30 due to something involving viscosity index (VI) improvers breaking down in the 5w-30 (and 0w-30).
I've been using 0w-30 in my LS1 lately but due to what Pat has said I will switch to 10w-30 year round next time for sure. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 01:52 PM
  #6  
Patman's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Also, about the 0w30. This is even thinner than 5w30 and 10w30 when cold. As such, it uses even more VII in most cases and can thin out even faster.

As long as you're not driving in -30F temps or colder, you would be safe with Mobil 1 10w30. It has a pour point of -49F, which means it's borderline pumping temp is about 20F higher (or -29F)
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 01:52 PM
  #7  
LS1LT1's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,331
Likes: 0
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Oops, he already did. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 01:54 PM
  #8  
Patman's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Also, you might want to check out this link here which explains viscosity pretty well:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motoroil.html#viscosity
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 02:03 PM
  #9  
LS1LT1's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,331
Likes: 0
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

So it's safe to say that, as long it never gets below say 5*F (it never/rarely does around here) than the few benefits offered by using 0w-30 or 5w-30 are wasted and one should go with the 10w-30?
Or is it still better for cold start up, in any kind of colder weather, to still go with the thinner weights, VII issues notwithstanding?
I just want the best combo of cold start up (a major role in engine wear) and horsepower benefits/fuel economy along with 'hot oil' engine wear as well. Thanks.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 02:30 PM
  #10  
Patman's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Honestly, if it doesn't get much below 0F in your area, you might as well stick with the 10w30, as it's a much better built oil. The 5w30 would flow a bit faster, but not by all that much, and if you have a good oil with good antiwear protection in it such as moly, that will help protect on a cold start anyways.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 02:44 PM
  #11  
jpz28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
From: houston,texas
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Alright!....thanx for the info Patman...you should create your own page concerning oil!!...hmmm..how about....Patmanistheoilguy.com!....LOL <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> ...just kidding...but I appreciate it alot...I kind of sensed that the 0W-30 was even thinner...just wanted to get it straight!
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 03:09 PM
  #12  
Patman's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Default Re: OIL question PATMAN!...what's the difference...?

Hehe, thanks for the kind words! But seriously, BOB still is the oil guy, I have learned a ton of stuff from him and the members on that oil board. I'm just a little sponge soaking up the info from many people on that board who have been in the lubrication business for dozens of years.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:18 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE