Pearl Jammzz

Ok, so I haven't had my camaro long and it's tme to change the oil in it. Well, I dont have any owners manual or anything so I am not sure what kind of oil to throw in her. I have the 2.8 v6 that came w/ my 89' RS. I am guess it takes 5W30 but am not sure. Anyone help me out with this idiot question, haha. Thanks guys...feel free to bash away.

CamaroManBlack

Depends on the mileage. From the factory the car took 5W30, and that's good to use in warmer weather up until somewhere around 80K mi or so--some people run it until they hit 100K. A lot of people switch to 10W30 after 75K miles. Stay away from 10W40 unless you have over 130K and/or engine noise (like noisy lifters, rocker arms, etc.

RedTtop5spd

iTrader: (1)

I'd use 10W30 and stay away from the 10W40 completely. IMO if you're engine is in bad enough shape to need 40, then I'd be doing some serious maintenance to it.

Pearl Jammzz

I have 87k miles....the motor was rebuilt at about 80 from what the guy told me. Should I use 10W30? What's the gain/loss of using either one? Basically what's the difference...

CamaroManBlack

5W30 is thinner than 10W30 is. Basically, 5W30 is going to flow a little better during initial startup in cooler temperatures. If your motor got rebuilt at 80K, and it had all the bearings replaced (rod bearings as well as main's), then go with 5W30. 10W30 wouldn't hurt it in warm or hot weather, but 5W30 is always recommended for low-mileage engines.

Pearl Jammzz

Alright, I think I am gunan go w/ 10W30. I dont know what all was done to the engine as I wasn't the one who did it, so I am just going to stick w/ the thicker stuff. Thanks a lot for the help though, REALLY appreciate it .

6cyl92CamaroRS

What are some reasons for not using 10W 40, if its hot out wouldnt that be good?
Mitch

Doward

15w 50 Mobil 1 all the way for the turbo!

RedTtop5spd

iTrader: (1)

IMO, that's getting a little too thick. Too thick won't flow through quite as well as the right oil. If the engine is getting hot enough that the 40 flows properly, then the engine's getting too hot and overheating...just my opinion.

yellowmaro

For what it is worth, if your engine requires from factory 5w-30, use it. It wil give you better mileage than 10w30. Anyone using 10w-40 I'd have to ask why? In my 1999 Dakota SLT 5.2 v-8, when I switched from factory recommended 10w-30 to a non-synthetic 5w-30 (Kendall), in cold weather, I saw a much faster warm up and I saw an increase of 1.0-1.5 mpg. Yes, this blew my mind. The second mpg improvement came from, of all things....a K&N filter. I do not do any type of towing on a regular basis with this truck either. If I did, I would have stayed with 10W-30 for the added viscosity under higher than normal loads. I have the factory dual air filters in my camaro and after I replace or remove the cat, I want to put in dual K&N's and see if I can get the mileage that other members get with their camaros. Sorry if I got off topic.

BitchinRS

I use 15w40. Why? 300,000 miles and it keeps the smoke a way. Oil consumption is down to 1/4 quart every 4000 miles. I drive 1000 miles a week. so I change it every month. I figure with this much milage the extra 1000 miles a month before changing it ffor 4 years has hurt it yet it's not going to. Also summer time temp of 105+ tends to thin out 10w30 way to fast.

RedTtop5spd

iTrader: (1)

I can understand wanting to use the 15w40. Perhaps it's time for an engine swap, or are you going to try for 400k?

BitchinRS

Oh it's definetly time for a new engine. Just can't do it right. I'm still a contractor so every day I take off I lose money. Also have to pay off a $1500 tax bill. Dam over time killed me. I will be swapping to a 3.4 though. For now I am going to see how long it last. Gas milage is still good so I don't complain much.

KED85

Use what ever ya can buy for cheap, CHANGE OFTEN, and use AC PF52 oil filters.
Been doing that advice for too many years.
IF WHEN I ever get a brand new ride, then I would do a synthetic.
For older engines to me even a rebuilt one, change often & use best filters ya can buy.
5/30 & 10/30 is the best compromise/choice out there for our V6 mills.
Doward has a superb point for the Mobil One for his creation as a turbo COOKS the oils upon engine shut down.
Doward, agree with my suggestion?

PS Loss/gain of power
In your real world, ya just want to keep all oil in the pan not driping under car!

Firebird90

iTrader: (1)

Humm.....

I have 161,000 Miles and using synthetic 5w30. Since new (After 12000 Miles)
No problems here....

Kj Rockz

Don't listen to this fool.

Just stick with the 5w30

TechSmurf

Sadly I had to step up to 10w40 in my 300k mile v8 to keep things in order.. it really all depends on the condition of your motor. If 5w30 leaks/smokes/knocks too much, start increasing the weight.. heck, there's even a vehicle here running 20w50 that has audible rod knock with any lighter oil... but it runs fine on 20w50

KED85

Humm.....
I have 161,000 Miles and using synthetic 5w30. Since new (After 12000 Miles) No problems here....

THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE WHY TO USE SYNTHETICS FROM NEW!
Yet on an aged engine, the down side is apparently leaks thru the gaskets compared to staying with Dinosaur Do-Do (IS THIS PHRASE ALLOWED .
I had a 350 with a big rod knock.
Straight 50 weight did me just fine until I sold the engine for $200! I made him listen to the rod knock, too!
I've also done 211,500 on Dino Do-Do, too!
I'll stay with the old stuff at $.79 a quart when on sale. Again best oil filters & change oil often you win.

Ryan_Alswede

I've always 10w 40 conventional but I live in Texas where the summers make a car grow a tongue like a dog.

I guess i'm old school and have seen 10w40 take my old mans honda civic to 267,000 miles so far.

As for the fuel mileage claims:
At a 102,000 miles, in the winter, my best tanks on I-45 have been 32, 32, 31, 33 mpg running on curise at 75 mph between dallas and houston. City mileage best tanks 22-23 mpg.

Use what ever oil you want just DON"T use Fram junk filters.

TomP

I'm 100% in agreement with Ryan - after I saw that oil filter comparison article, I stopped using Fram. Now I only use AC, and if I can't find AC, I use Purolator. And if I can't find Purolator, I go to another store.

Pearl Jammzz

Anyone have a link to that article?

Ryan_Alswede

http://www.shoclub.com/lubrication-o...n-oilpart5.htm

There are more online,, just type in Fram or oil filter compare.