What oil do you prefer?

[GrndNatnl]

I'm trying to decide what oil to stick with. What would you all prefer as far as non-synthetic: Kendall GT-1, or Castrol GTX? And why? These are the top two on my list for non-syn.

I've been using Castrol, but been hearing recommendations on using Kendall GT-1. It's hard to find around here, but I know of one place that carries it. Anyone else use it? Good thing about it, is that it's normal priced oil. ($1.89 or so)

I would go synthetic, especially since my motor only has 20k on it, but its just so expensive. At the moment it has part-synthetic Castrol Syntec Blend in it, which is middle priced.

What do you all use and recommend? Should I go synthetic? If so which type of syn? And how about non-syn? Just looking for some opinions and experiences.

 

[Gnboy]

as far as your semi synthetic goes I would not buy it. if you want to do that mix it yourself most of your semi synthetic oils are no more than 18% synthetic so your pretty much getting ripped off frequency of your oil change is the most important thing oil doesnt break down like everyone says in 3000 miles but the additives and carbon-cleanning agents do

I personally use mobil one and change my oil every 3 months or 2500 milesneed to or not due to the combustion process there alot of things that will cause the oils additives even to be come corrosive

if you want to stay with conventional oil I would use a low parifin oil like honda motor oil its made by mobil but is not just mobil motor oil

 

[azgn]

just buy whatever Wally Mart has on sale and change it (and the filter) often....last time I bought some, GTX was on sale in the 5 qt bottles

I change oil about once a month this time of year (it is our racing season.........)

 

[Russ Merritt]

Amsoil 5-30, Wix filters.

 

[turbo buicks]

i use 10W-30 Discount Auto brand which i was told is actually made by Valvoline. its $.89/qt. it says on the back it meets all specs and it turbo approved. seems to work fine

 

[rob nolan]

Amsoil, 10-30 THATS WHAT I RUN

 

[Two Lane]

Mobil One 0-40

 

[bose]

oil

I use Quarker State if I am using regular oil.If I am using Synthetic I use Pennzoil.I have never had an engine problem due to an oiling problem.I emailed Pennzoil and they reccommend 10w30 for our cars.These are the brands I like but I believe that any major brand is up to task.Bruce

 

[Gr82baGN]

I use only Mobile 1. I did try Royal Purple but opted for the Mobile. Just habit I guess.

 

[Jimn8or]

Pennzoil 10-W-30 every 1000 miles has worked for me.
HTH
Jim

 

[TheDoughboy]

Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 and Amsoil filters.

Ron

 

[Two Lane]

Don't Just Take Our Word For It


Mobil 1® comes as standard equipment in some of the finest production vehicles you can buy. It's "factory fill" in Chevrolet Corvette, all Porsches, Mercedes-Benz AMG models, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang Cobra R and all Aston Martin cars. Here are some remarks from some of the top engineers and executives at these renowned manufacturers.

"Every car produced in the factory in Stuttgart gets its first oil from Mobil 1. And that means that all our cars and engines are developed with that product."
– Herbert Ampferer, Director,
Porsche Motorsports

"Mobil 1 is the only oil we use for our engines as the first filling. And then we put the sticker in the engine compartment just to make sure that people know what's in their engines."
– Domingos Piedade, Managing Director,
Mercedes-Benz AMG

"Based upon the results we saw several years ago in endurance racing with Team Shelby, we felt Mobil 1 could do the job in the Viper, Dodge's highest-performance sports car."
– Charlie Brown III, Viper Engine Supervisor,
DaimlerChrysler Corporation


HTH

 

[Chris Taylor]

Mobil 1

 

[GN87Mike]

I have used Kendall GT-1 for many years with good results. It has a high Zinc content that protects bearings at high loads when film strength is maxed out. I currently use Mobil 1 though because of the high heat load with the turbo. The bearings have always looked good with both oils. The main thing with our Buicks is keeping the clearances close for good oil pressure.

 

[Richard Inglett]

I like Kendall GT-1 because with it, my engine runs quieter. Must be the extra zinc that GN87Mike mentioned.

Richard

 

[70Firebird/TTA]

I use Castrol full synthetic 10w-30 with my TTA. Be sure you use the correct High Perf Oil filter===the one with the anti bleed back valve.

I used only Castrol 10w-30 with my IROC Camaro and the car has over 200,000 miles on original engine w/o a hint of any oil burning or leaks. I would use the Castrol oil on the TTA (regular stuff)...but the turbo bearing requires the synthetic to prevent coaking.

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by Two Lane
Mobil 1® comes as standard equipment in some of the finest production vehicles you can buy. It's "factory fill" in Chevrolet Corvette, all Porsches, Mercedes-Benz AMG models, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang Cobra R and all Aston Martin cars. Here are some remarks from some of the top engineers and executives at these renowned manufacturers.

"Every car produced in the factory in Stuttgart gets its first oil from Mobil 1. And that means that all our cars and engines are ..............

Don't take this personal Two Lane, but maybe this makes it easier for the luxury dealers to charge $200-300 for an oil change!

Wonder what Mobil gets from this????

 

[d0n_3d]

i use mobil 1 full synthetic for higher mileage engines...10w30 all the time...every 3000 miles, also always use a pf52 ac-delco filter

i use mobil 1 regular non synthetic 10w30 in all my other vehicles...the best damn oil you can buy IMO

 

[GrndNatnl]

Thank you all. You've all given a wide array of well stated opinions.

I have just a couple questions. Concerning the synthetic oils.. wont they "speed up" things such as a rear main leak? (Which I have) Since they're so slippery? I dont know why I have one already, with only 20k on the motor, a breather installed in the pass side valve cover, and fresh PCV valve in the intake. But its a highly common issue, so I'm not going to go crazy trying to solve it.

Also, d0n_3d, you mentioned using full-syn oil on higher milage engines. I thought it was best for newer engines, since high milage engines have more cylinder wear, and thus the synthetic oil slips past the rings more so. Would that be a concern? As I said, mine only has around 20k on it now anyway, so its not much at all.

As far as filter, I personally use the PF-52 Delco filter, but doesnt the PH3980 Fram have the anti-drainback as well? I'll probably try out the Kendal oil for a while. Using the same weights, which would be 20w-50 in the summer, and 10w-40 in the winter. Anyone recommend otherwise, as far as weights? Too much, too light? I just want to keep this baby in tip-top shape, and well maintenced.

 

[d0n_3d]

yes i do drip a drop of oil a day through the rear main seal...but that is all...as for the higher mileage...this mobil 1 synthetic oil i use is FOR higher mileage engines over 75k miles...it says so right on the bottle...my engine does not use oil or throw oil whatsoever...usually the lighter the oil you use the less power your motor has to use to move the oil around...which theoretically means a little more horsepower...

my motor has around 85k on it...so it is a mid aged engine...but compared to ALOT of people on this board with well over 100k...i am just breaking in my motor i guess