65MalibuSS

Why would living in Texas require different oil?

I've been to gas stations in the Middle East in June when it's 125 F outside and they just sell plain old 10W-30.

96capricemgr

Texas heat is bigger.

65MalibuSS

lol!

texas94z

I use straight 30 Valvoline with a oversized truck filter on my 148k LT1. I change my oil every 2000 miles also. Convention oil is just fine for LT1 motors. Synthetics are way over rated IMO. I will only pay the money for synthetic if a motor was designed for it.

JAKEJR

[SNIP=texas94z;6009938]. I will only pay the money for synthetic if a motor was designed for it.[/SNIP]

I have to assume my 96 LT1 was designed for it because it says so, even on the oil filler cap on the valve cover:

"ENGINE OIL SAE 5W 30 MOBIL 1 Factory Fill - Notice See Owner's Manual Special Engine Oil Required".

Of course that requirement was before I decided to change a lot of the parts the factory installed 13 years ago.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

96capricemgr

That was only on the Vette which got the same shortblock as the other cars. So how is it that the Vette LT1 was "designed" for synthetic when all the other LT1s with the same exact bearings, rods, block castigs etc. did not need it?
Don't use the no oil cooler excuse either because there were b-bodies that got LT1s and no oil cooler

Can you say MARKETTING? The M1 5w-30 has been proven with used oil analysis to NOT be the holy grail of LT1 oils, iron wear in particular has run quite high on some formulations. It is OK in this application, nothing more.

JAKEJR

If you're asking me to explain why GM specified Mobil 1 for the 96 Vette engine and not other engines, you're asking the wrong person. I didn't design the engines or run tests to determine which oil is best for a particular application. Of course, as you have, I could simply attribute it to marketing, and assume that GM is in bed with Exxon Mobil. However, without data and evidence to support that conclusion, I'd just be guessing too.

I'm not advocating that Mobil 1 is the best thing since bubble-gum. I'm only relaying GM's position. So like the many other things that involves these engines, use whatever you want. Use whatever floats your boat; doesn't bother me one way or the other.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

96capricemgr

Your position is that GM "designed" the engine for synthetic.

My challenge to that is what is different between the Vette and all the other LT1s that were spec'd plain old dino juice?

96capricemgr

I would believe that, just have not worked on enough f-bodies to have known it.

Still waiting to find out what about the Vette LT1 made it "designed for sythetic".

n2ceptor

Synthetics have been proven to have less heat build up in the engine, compared to dino... Thats the only reason I use it....

bw_hunter

I'v read several comments about doing reserach, etc. Any links we can have to see what the best oil is. Someone made it clear that Mobil One is just OK for these engines. I'd love to do the research so how about a little guidance..a little push in the right direction??

moparman

www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

speed_demon24

Don't question the oil cap.

bombebomb

This guy has a point, 90k miles/random low milage really shows nothing. Taxi LT1's are more then likely not beat on like the typical car however. Like everyone say, German castrol seems to be "the best".

96capricemgr

I posted the BITOG link further towards the top of the post and the guy who replied after you posted it again. Info is out there, people just choose to ignore it.

M1 is fine, it is just NOT the holy grail people think it is.

Far as abuse in other applications a Taxi will see an ungodly number of hours to hit a mileage number FAR greater than a commuter car, stop and go and beat on by someone not paying the repair bill.
Some of the wagons and some of the Roady sedans came with 2.56s, 95 Roady wagon owner's manual says 4672lbs. Base Curb then figure 2.56s with a 28" tire. That is a low rpm life but not an easy one lugging a motor is rough on them. Even the tow package b-bodies only got 2.93s.
Imagine driving a M6 car around always in one gear too high, that is basically what they did with the b-bodies.