The Carquest people told me it was the same as valvoline but don't mention it to customers unless they ask (their theory is that it might hurt Valvoline sales). It's probably not as good as valvoline (hard to imagine).
I really don't think you have to anything as far as oil goes when you store your car for around a year, the used oil isn't going to cause any damage to your engine so don't sweat it.
3.8 is a great motor, good mileage and performance especially on the highway. The 3.3 is a great motor too, I wish GM hadn't done away with it, you can still find some decent used GM cars with the 3.3 (older skylarks and Grand Am's).
All I am saying is letsnot buy 80 quarts until we see how it does in our own vechiles! If you stock up on it and it is not a good match for your application you have 80 quarts of oil that is not doing much for you! Once you have some UOA on the stuff then stock up all you like! If it is going in...
Supertech oils are now 1.07/quart
Havoline oils are 1.54/quart
Quaker State is now 1.77/quart
If you have a Schucks/Kragen/Checkers near you almost every sunday they have a coupon for Chevron .89/quart and .49/quart after rebate. Otherwise get to Cosco/Sam's Club and get Chevron by the case...
Chevron
Havoline
Pennzoil
Castrol
Mobil
Valvoline
Chevron's a great oil at .49/quart, I think based on price and performance it's the best bargain out of these oils and you can run it 5,000 miles no problem.
As far as filters go if you want to save money get the Purolator Plus, it's a good...
I use FL820s motorcraft on my 97 mustang, Purolator plus (2.99 at Sears) on 92 buick skylark, and supertech ST3593A on 87 Mazda B2000, the ST3593A feels and looks like a good filter.
I have a 1993 Ford F-150 extended cab, 302 V8, automatic. Had it since new and has 409,165 miles on the original engine. Only thing replaced is A/C, Starter and Alternator(just replaced them last year with about 395,000 miles). Transmission rebuilt three times. We used regular Havoline 10W-40...
Use the Fram's and be done with it, then make the switch. I don't buy frams but it's a complete waste to throw them out if you can't return them, short intervals should be fine, just cover your eyes and ears on this site.
Just use up the Frams then switch if you want later, frams aren't the greatest but the reality is they work, and most people on your block probably have one on their cars (or a pennzoil filter, sam difference).
I've got a 1992 Buick Skylark with the same 3.3 engine. I've used 10W-30 Chevron Supreme in it for a couple years now, that engine gets great gas mileage on the highway, I've got 135000+ miles on it and I usually get 31-34 mpg on the highway. Too bad GM got rid of the 3.3 and put 3.1's in...