Oil weight on a 97 lt1 (0w40?)
04-20-2016, 09:28 PM
#1
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Oil weight on a 97 lt1 (0w40?) Hello,
Not looking to start a oil war,
was wondering what weight do you think would be best,
The car is only used during the summer in nj (sometimes in stop and go, It gets hot during the summer +90)
Do you think im better off sticking with the 5w30
like here
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-5...-5-qt/35930941
Or go to 0w40 like here?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/35931146?w...987512&veh=sem
The car is used only during the summer, and only at most gets 4k miles a year (and oil is changed every year)
at HOT idle the oil pressure is about 16-20 psi and at HOT highway speed 2k(ish RPM) its right at 40 PSI (which im told is good)
So would you go to 0w40 or stay with the factory 5w30?
Thank you for any input,
The car has 92k miles if that matters
Dave
Not looking to start a oil war,
was wondering what weight do you think would be best,
The car is only used during the summer in nj (sometimes in stop and go, It gets hot during the summer +90)
Do you think im better off sticking with the 5w30
like here
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-5...-5-qt/35930941
Or go to 0w40 like here?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/35931146?w...987512&veh=sem
The car is used only during the summer, and only at most gets 4k miles a year (and oil is changed every year)
at HOT idle the oil pressure is about 16-20 psi and at HOT highway speed 2k(ish RPM) its right at 40 PSI (which im told is good)
So would you go to 0w40 or stay with the factory 5w30?
Thank you for any input,
The car has 92k miles if that matters
Dave
Last edited by Dave2500; 04-20-2016 at 10:03 PM. Reason: Put in miles
04-21-2016, 10:39 AM
#3
You can't go wrong with either of those two you linked. They both satisfy all requirements for a stock-to-mild performance engine.
FWIW, that Penzoil Platinum was rated as one of the best in a recent wear-test comparison I read. IMO, for your purposes, anti-wear properties are more important than the minor difference in viscosities.
FWIW, that Penzoil Platinum was rated as one of the best in a recent wear-test comparison I read. IMO, for your purposes, anti-wear properties are more important than the minor difference in viscosities.
04-21-2016, 07:32 PM
#4
Rotella T Conventional Shell 15w-50 diesel oil is what I use. It's great for a LT1. Thick enough, also has a little zinc in it which is good for and old school iron block like the LT1 
I ran it from day 1 in my old bolt on motor before I rebuilt it, upon tearing it down that was the cleanest motor I've ever disassembled. Of course, it is a motor so they're is going to be some nasty stuff but the timing chain cover was like polished aluminum lol... But IMHO, any oil is fine as long as you have oil in your motor! Haha
I ran it from day 1 in my old bolt on motor before I rebuilt it, upon tearing it down that was the cleanest motor I've ever disassembled. Of course, it is a motor so they're is going to be some nasty stuff but the timing chain cover was like polished aluminum lol... But IMHO, any oil is fine as long as you have oil in your motor! Haha 
04-22-2016, 01:54 PM
#6
TECH Resident
I run 10w-40 full synthetic in mine. However my mains are a little more loose than stock.
If you are stock internals, just stick with the 5w-30 which is what Chevy recommends. I agree with bowtienut on the anti-wear properties. Maybe go with a semi-synthetic to offset the cost.
If you are stock internals, just stick with the 5w-30 which is what Chevy recommends. I agree with bowtienut on the anti-wear properties. Maybe go with a semi-synthetic to offset the cost.
