BoneMaro

I was wondering, what are the benefits of using synthetics over conventional motor oil?

Vader

Bones,

Welcome aboard!

Man, did you open a can of worms (or, bag of bones?). There are so many benfits to using synthetics over mineral oils, we could discuss them for the next month. The only disadvantages to syntheics are the initial cost of the lubricant, and the fact that if you have any oil leaks, they won't get any better with synthetics.

Since synthetics clean so well, any sludge and varnish that may have packed around small leaks that may be plugging them somewhat will likely be cleaned away by the synthetic, causing the leaks to increase. For most people with sound engines, this isn't a problem.

The other named disadvantage is the initial cost. I say INITIAL cost because the true cost using of synthetics is lower. You will use less fuel, cause less engine wear, and have more power available with synthetic lubricants. If you don't get excessive, you can increase the change intervals with synthetics, saving a bit more.

Cold and hot lubrication is superior with synthetics, and breakdown and acid formation are less of a problem.

Aside from that, I can't really think of any advantages.

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Later,
Vader
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"Make Me Bad"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

[This message has been edited by Vader (edited October 30, 2000).]

Mkos1980

iTrader: (8)

Mobil 1 15W-50 I always thought oil was oil till Vader slapped me with some sence.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Other than saying "Amen" to what Vader said, I'll just add this. There is a big difference in quality between various synthetics out there. Most are only carried as a "me-too" product by the big oil companies. The ones that are the most serious about synthetics are Mobil, AMSOIL, and Redline. Perhaps Royal Purple could be added to that list, but I haven't heard much from people who have used it or seen comparison test data on it.

Well, I've just got to say one more thing: Most literature compares a particular company's synthetic to conventional petroleum products. AMSOIL is the only one I've seen willing to pit their products against other synthetics.

Okay, I'll shut up now.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car. Rescued w/86 LG4/TH700R with all harnesses, sensors, ECM, etc. 2.73 open. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LB9 w/ZZ3 cam, exhaust, paint, etc.).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. Currently 396 .030 over, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & shift kit, 3.08 10-bolt, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

BoneMaro

Thanks for the concensus. I was considering it and it's a lock. I'm going with synthetics.

Do you think Mobil 1 is the best? What else should I consider?

MY87ROC

i have been using mobil 1 and mobil oil filter since i bought my 87 with 65k for $1000 8 mths ago. just removed intake because of water leak and it was spotless inside i am sold on mobil 1 worth the xtra $ for pieace of mind

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TPIS airfoil,relocated MAT,AFPR,TB h2o bypass
otherwise stock 5.0TPI
700r4, 9 bolt 3.23 g92 axle

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Okay, you forced me into it. The "better" synthetics all have something going for them. With Mobil 1, for instance, it's the fact that it's on the shelf at WalMart. I have heard complaints about higher consumption of Mobil 1 by people that have used both Mobil 1 and AMSOIL. As I said before, AMSOIL is the only company (that I've seen) willing to publish test data comparing their products to other synthetics.

Okay, I'm biased. But, I haven't been proven wrong yet.

I'll shut up again now...

Grim Reaper

Before my car developed a recent oil leak in the back of the intake manifold, my car would only burn 1/4 quart of Mobil 1 every 6,000 miles. And my car has over 160,000 miles. I'm the original owner.

I like the fact that Mobil 1 is readily available at WalMart. Makes it easy to find and cheaper.

BoneMaro

Thanks for the help all of you who replied to my queries.

Yarnboy

Amen to Walmart!! I love that store! It's good for people who find themselves working on cars just a little after five..say..2 in the morning. The greatest thing Walmart has ever done was have those 5 gallon jugs of Mobil 1 for 16 bucks! I got my new bright-low beams for like 7 bucks at 1am. They really really REALLY lack in the nuts and bolts section though..seriously..they have like no screws are bolts or anything..well they do..but I mean they might as well not ya know? Anyway, thats the only bad thing. I get my oil changed there too..only 30 bucks for a 15 point inspection, oil, and filter. They only make like 2 dollars an oil change! Anyway, Walmart is a good store. byebye

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-Red '88 IROC 5 Speed TPI
-Dual Friction Centerforce Clutch
-Accel 300+ Racing Ignition
-Accel 300+ Pro Sleeve Plug Wires
-Accel U-Grove Plugs
-Flowmaster Force II 3 Chamber Cat Back Exhaust
-Hypertech Chip
-Hypertech Airfoil
-Removed, Then Re-installed (out of fear) MAF Screens
-Gutted Air Box
-Best E/T 14.90, 60 ft. 2.17, 1/8th mile 9.61(bald tires, SES light on)
-Best MPH 92.7(bald tires)

TomP

Walmart rocks... I was never in the store before, and went in with an ex-... I said "Hey lets see if they have an auto department!" I couldn't believe seeing a Campbell-Hausfeld air compressor, with tool kit, in that department- for cheaper than Home Depot! I bought it the next day.

Kmart is ticking me off... they dumped 90% of their oil & oil filters, and replaced it with air freshners.

The only reason I don't run synthetic is I don't want to start up a major oil leak after my 207,000 mile seals get cleaned out by the stuff!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

BoneMaro

Wal-Mart is great. I'm gooing there to get oil for my first change there tomorrow.

91Bird305

I like using Castrol Syntheic. 4.68 a quart. BLAH!

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Eric Natzke
91 Firebird 305 TBI (ZZ4 summer of "01")
ASCD Ram Air Hood-3" custom exaust-Flowmaster 80 Series-No Cat-Edelbrock TES Headers (coated)-March Pulleys-TBI Spacer-K&N Open ELement-TransGo Shift Kit-B&M Supercooler 28,000 GVW-Hypertech Thermomaster-160 Stat-3:42 GM Gears-Auburn Posi Unit-Edlebrock Strut Tower Brace-MSD Superconducters-Accel Cap & Rotor
-Rapidfire Plugs-265/50/R15 Tires-Emmison's all Gone

http://members.aol.com/j007golden/91firebird.html

92GTA

iTrader: (11)

I've always used Castrol Synthetic but I just changed over to Mobil 1 10W-30. No complaints here. I've heard that Redline is a good oil too.

BoneMaro

I went and bought the Mobil 1. Wow it cost a fortune. $28CAD for 4 litres. Three and a bit times as much as conventional oil.

jeff

I have always used Pennzoil 10W-40 in my 92 bird. The dealer told me that kind of oil was the one to be used and wrote it on the panel under the hood. I haven't had any problems that I know of with it.

Tab92bird

Autozone has a sale on 5 quarts of castrol syntec and a bosch oil filter; should I try it or spend the extra money on mobil 1? also, I'm trying to cure some lifter noise and I've heard you can put some ATF in your oil to clean it up a bit, how much should I use?

Thanks,
Brandon

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Your dealer wants to sell you another car.

jeff

what does that mean?? Something wrong with Pennzoil 10W-40?

Mo

I use Castrol Syntec mostly because i can get it at kmart for like $16 for a 5 quart jug. and an AC Delco ultraguard Gold filter

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90 IROC 5.7l (L98)
ram air, K&N's, air foil,Flows