Sleepy Z

iTrader: (3)

I use Valvoline Durablend. Semi-synthetic. Better than conventional but won't put a huge dent in my WALLET like full synthetics.

TA5LiterHO

Valvoline Max Life. Best oil I've ever used.

Camaro_nut

You are SOOOOO mistaken, my friend!!! It's used in NASCAR
engines. There's a reason for that! ABUSE! HEAT! FRICTION!
10,000RPMS!

Synthetic oil outperforms conventional oil. There's a reason
why it's more money for synthetic stuff.

I use Mobil 1 and use AC Delco oil filters. I sometimes run
a Mobil 1 filter. I change it every 3-4 months. My car is only
on the road 5-6 months out of the year. So, I go by months,
not miles.

camarojoe

Anyone that doesn't run 10w-50 weigt Mobil 1 synthetic in there somewhat high compression motor that's making at least 400 hp is absolutely crazy. Gee let's see NASCAR's run it, it comes facorty in a brand new Z06, not to mention the new C6, what else is there to say, duh...

I guess we know what I run or will be running after 800 miles of break in, even though I probably don't have to wait that long. Oh yeah, in a powerful car, I think 5w-40 Mobil 1 (syn) is ok when the temps get really low outside.

HisDivineShadow

Question, doesn't the type of oil the engine's been "fed" all it's life matter too? Because I checked what it's been running on, all mineral oil.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

I agree

dieseldennis

Off topic ......sorry........but I think HisDivineShadow is a Lexx fan. Why do I mention this? I'm not sure. I just read every single post in this thread and maybe I think everything that needs to be said has been said.

By the way Ive always used Pennzoil.....but after reading this thread and the links posted in it, I am switching to Mobil1 oil and AC Delco filters.

Thanks for all the great info all!!:hail:

Dennis

2litereater

i just recently bought a 1984 Trans Am that has a 350 dropped in it. The odometer reads 60,000 miles on it the guy i bought it form says its original. even though i have know idea what the mileage is i run a full synthetic 10w30 4 quarts with 1 full quart of lucas's oil stabilizer. the lucas's looks like glue but ive been told it does wonders for performance and engine longevity. as far as im concerned oil filters are all the same i personally use mileguard because that is what we have at work. ive heard bad things about FRAM.

2litereater

anybody heard anything about adding Luca's oil treatment to oil or in place of a quart of oil. i just changed the oil a few days ago it seems to be holding up fine. just wondering if anyone else uses it.

Irocster

Just change your oil and be done with it. You should never add "additives" to oil as all it does is get in the way of the oil's job.

breakthelawinaz

actually sunoco is the official fuel of nascar or "nextel cup" now... sorry had to get my $.02 in...


*eric*

CAMp3RO

i almost always use Advance Auto Parts brand (almost positive its Valvoline w/ the AAP label) cause its inexpensive and i work for AAP. for filters, i use either AC Delco or Purolator Pure One. i am a big fan of all the Lucas products, including the oil additive.

B4Ctom1

I like CSK stores (Checker, Kragen, or Schrucks) "Flag" brand oil it is valvoline.

studdmstr

Another mobil1 syn fan. I also always use a wix gold oil filter

alloy

iTrader: (16)

FYI: I recently had a chat with Castrol company chemist and we had a long conversation about oils, and semi syn verses full syntheic in particular.

Semi syn's have just enough synthetic to "legally" claim they are semi sythetic oil. A whopping 10% synthetic Semi syn's are a cash cow for the oil companies is what he told me. He also went on to say "The synthetic is what catches people's eye. They think that they are getting a better product and saving money at the same time".

A another direct quote from the Castrol rep. (The most important one I believe)

"Yes, there is some small benefit to using semi syn's over conventional oils, but the average end user will never noticed any benefit for the extra money spent".

Anyway's, don't shoot the messenger (me), just passing on the info to everyone to help you make a more informed decision on what oil to use.

25THRSS

funny since castrol's "synthetic" oil is a blend as well.

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Again, don't shoot the messenger. Just repeating what I was told over dinner with the rep.

I'd personally love to see a comparision of conventional to semi syn's, and full syn's.
That's what would really tell the difference for end users like us.

Anyone know of a real world test like this you could link to?

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

BANG-BANG-BANG!!! LOL

Yup, 10-15% synthetic. One of the car mags did a tech article about that. So if you want a blend, do it yourself. A 50/50 blend of your favorite brand's dino and synthetic will cost you about the same as buying 5 quarts of blended oil.

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Dang, ya got me


anyway, I've been doing some research on oils today on the net, and so far I've only found one oil company the comes out and states it's product is 100% synthetic. That's valvoline's synpower.

I think amsoil is 100% synthetic, but didn't find a statement to that effect in my searches. I'm sure there are more synthetic's that are 100%, but I can't spend all day searching for them.

And, was eating lunch and saw a castrol comercial on the tube and they compared their sythetic oil to conventional oils and (suprise) they won the test. Geez, no "sheet' sherlock

25THRSS

mobil 1 is 100% synthetic

ljnowell

The only thing I have ever put in a car is Valvoline. My dad put penziol in a car back in the eighties, he ran it from the time it was new and the engine blew up at around 30K when it was dissassenbled, the dealership and another mechanic both said it was the oil, penzoil actually bought him a new engine.

alloy

iTrader: (16)

An interesting fact I just discovered. Did you know that shell oil owns penzoil and quaker state?

And, another fact is that most cars in europe have a 10,000 oil change intervals using the same oil we use.

Hmmm, can we say "corporate profit" three times in a row ?

Can any of our friends across the pond comment on this for us?

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

You sure that's not kilometers? 10,000 would be around 6,000 miles. That's somewhat consistent with what car makers say or, at least, used to say.

But the blends(like Valvoline Durablend--most companies make one in addition to their full synthetic), are what I was talking about. They're only 10-15% synthetic.

But it doesn't matter to me anyway, lol. Regardless of how good blends or synthetics are, none of them, not even Amsoil, promise to prevent oil-related problems(like the little puff of smoke). And most people aren't likely to have their cars long enough to see the long-term benefits that synthetics supposedly provide anyway.

The best oil I've found for an aging engine is Valvoline MaxLife. Not only does it slow aging, it can actually cure the little puff of smoke! It cured mine! And even better, MaxLife is at least half the price of synthetics!

MaxLife and the AC Duraguard oil filter... you won't find a much better combination, IMO.

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Well the info I found said "miles". So, I've not got any way to confirm this. That's way I was hoping one of our european members would chime in and give us their point of view.

I've got a 153k mile 87 that I've pushed hard since the day it was new. There are well over 1000 autocross runs, and many, many track days with 1 or 2 drivers on it, and it survived being stolen once also. I've just switched it to the valvoline full synthetic and will see how it goes. After researching the benefits of synthetics, I'll even put synthetic in my john deere lawn tractor soon. My air compressor is next in line for snythetics. Dang 2 stage compressor was expensive and I want it to last as long as possible!!

Nixon1

I work at Tire Kingdom....we use Pennzoil 10W30 bulk, and Shell filters.

I use Castrol GTX....and will probably keep using it until either A) I switch to synthetic, prob. Mobil 1....or B)I'm given a good reason to STOP using it. At $16- $18 a case, it's pretty hard to beat.

Camaro_nut

lol. YOU can go 10K mile intervals if you want. I know for
a fact that going that far without changing the oil normally
WILL put damage to your motor. Going over 4 months will
do the same. Just do the normal 3-4K or 3-4 month times.
Your motor will thank you! lol. I have seen motors gell up
or sludge because of lack of regular oil changes. These are
the motors that go 10K miles every time for an oil change too.

305Tiger

hmmmm...the ONLY time I ever used SHELL... I loved it! I know a lot of people dont use it, but for my 2 cents...and IMHO...it's great stuff. Before I blew my old engine, I was using the duramax 70K+ stuff, which for my 87 T/A's original engine with 132K on it, worked wonders too. But thats just IMO.
-G

P.S- For those of you with new(er) engines, what do you recomend using? My current engines' only 1,700 miles on it...

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Since I posted in this thread, I've done a lot of research about oil filters also. Seems the 2 best filters are #1 amsoil, and #2 mobil one. Third is the hard driver filters.

To me the stats on engine wear between a 40 micron el-cheapo filter and a good 15 micron filter are truly amazing.

Do the research yourself and let me know what you find out.

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Have you done the research to find out why the oil gells up? It's because it's dino oil. Synthetics can't gell. Again, do the research and you will find this out for yourself. Was eye opening for me once I started looking into it.

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Ok, took me forever to find the article again on extended drain intervals in europe, but here is a link to it. Read it and you be the judge.

http://www.amsoil.com/lit/lng_article/index.htm

Mark91RS

Mobil 1

stalin05

Hey guys. 2 things. About the oil filter, what about K&N? oh and im about to go to a reginal F-body show, I have 2 1988 IROC-Z's, my 305 is in GREAT shape, and my 350 T-Top has been only recently purchased and has seen better days. My 305 is all looks, and my 350 has flowmaster, headers, etc. Should I bring 305 or 350 to car show/cruise?

Thanx

Nixon1

I'm sure there will be plenty of 350 Camaros...and plenty that look good, and plenty that are loaded up with modifications. Bring the show car, the 305...

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Go here and look up the pore size and flow rates of the K&N filter as compared to other filters. The K&N flows well, but only has average filtering ability. You might want to consider the mobil1 filter for better filtration, and running Synthetic oil.

http://www.oilfilterstudy.com/

25THRSS

I've lost oil pressure with every filter I tried except ac delco.

alloy

iTrader: (16)

Look at the flow rates of the different filters in the study. This may provide some insight on your problem. More restrictive fliters will have higher pressure which does not mean it's a better filter.

I'm using the amsoil SDF76 2 quart (8"long) high efficency 15 micron filters and have switched from valvoline syn to full syn German Castrol 0-30 group 4 or mobil1 0-30 oil and my oil pressure is great in my 156k mile engine.

boxxed

I know this is an old thread but what if you really dont know what has been used in the car and you know that the car has basically sat for the last 8 years in a garage and has 65k miles on it. I think it has had syn and dino. But I cant confirm because the original owner is dead.
What oil would be good for this car?
It is a 1988 GTA 5.0

Thanks!!

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

1988 with 65k original miles? Whatever 10-30 or 10-40 you'd like to run would be fine IMO.

Dakota W.

Lol, if nascar or some other racing association uses it, it must be good! I hope you realize those engines are rebuilt after every race right? They don't need to worry about having to lubricate and cool a high mileage engine. I use Royal Purple 5w30, and a fram filter. No point in spending money on a filter that is the exact same as any other filter, unless it's a K&N which means it just lets more crap go through it.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

Fram is actually one of the worse filters. Build quality, materials, and performance issues. Wix, Purolator, and Mobil 1 filters are all quality.

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oil.../opinions.html

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/index.html

Dakota W.

In the first link, it states that quality of the Fram filter was tolerable.

boxxed

Yes 65k my dad was the original owner. He passed about 2 weeks ago. I ended up with this car.
Thanks for the info.

cuisinartvette

This!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Been running Mobil 10/30 for a long time

Switching to Valvoline VR1 syn it is fantastic stuff!
AMSOIL Zrod is top notch too.

I run the thinnest oil I can while still having decent oil pressure

Solid roller 383 spun past 7k when I can get away with it.

All that super thick oil is overrated it robs hp wears your dist gear etc.

If you need something real thick to pick up pressure your motor may be a bit tired.
Old school thinkiing you simply dont need it.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

There is one version of the Fram filter that is okay, but they use cardboard endcaps and substandard materials and design. The drainback valves are terrible too. I mean if you want to use them, fine, it most likely wont make a huge difference, but there is a huge difference in quality of materials, construction, and design, and there are far better brands for about the same price who dont cut corners to increase the profit margin, like Purolator and Wix.

watajob

iTrader: (29)

http://ww2.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...tic-motor-oil/ Oh! And, Hastings filter. For more info: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

Guest

So Mobil1 the official oil of NASCAR huh? Raise your hand if you're making 800hp, can turn a corner, and can spin off 9,000 rpm like its a joke. What? No one, no one....?

Ron U.S.M.C.

I use a Mobil 1 Extended Performance synthetic fiber oil filter = http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...l_Filters.aspx
With Mobil 1 5W-30 Full Synthetic Extended Performance motor oil.
= http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...nce_5W-30.aspx

boxxed

Ok thanks.. just didnt want to make a mistake..

onthedownlow

iTrader: (4)

I have been running 10w30 quaker state synthetic since I rebuilt my 350.

boxxed

OK, but keep in mind this is a totally stock motor. It has not been rebuilt.