96’ 5.7 Vortec- Rotella T4 10w30 VS Valvoline HM 5w30

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Apr 30, 2022
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Good evening. I know there are some post about oils in 5.7 chevys already but I wanted to ask between two of them. I have a 96’ K2500 suburban with the 5.7 Vortec and 102,000 miles doesn't burn a drop. I change my oil every 4k miles. For the past 2 oil changes, 8,000 miles worth, I’ve been running Valvoline High Mileage 5w30 with no issues and great oil pressure. I like Valvoline. In all my other engines, 60s cars, tractors, whatever else I run Rotella T4 10w30. I was wondering what would my 5.7 like better? The Rotella or Valv? The Rotella is obviously Dino and Valv a synthetic. I do mostly town driving about 7 minutes every morning and afternoon, and then all around town not city traffic but averaging 40 mph small towns. Occasionally highway and towing some heavy loads. Overall what should I run? I know it’s a roller cam not flat tapper but I assume the Rotella has a bit more detergents, better add pack maybe? Either way all I’m asking is just a what would you rather. Rotella is $18 a gal, Valv is $26 for 5 quart jug. Thanks all for your input!

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The rotella is likely an undisclosed synthetic blend as other hdeo's are as the ck4 and volvo vds 4.5 requirements are tough to meet and I'd be surprised if it doesn't outperform that Valvoline fs hm 5w-30 in everything but cold flow. I like to run 15w-40 in my old 5.3 and 6.0 gm engines and use 0/5w-40 in my 21's 6.2.

New Hampshire can get cold. Think I heard it went down to -30 last year, I would prefer to use something that's a 0w if you're heading into jan-march. I think m1 esp 0w-30 or m1 0w-40 would be the best easy to get choices.

Beautiful square light suburban. Love the style of the square light more. Classy chrome bumpers and rims, black grille, and sliver strip. Loved the dark blue of that generation.
 
Valvoline EP HM 5w-30 is my favorite off the shelf oil. that being said, i believe M1 0w-40 would be best fit for your application. cheap and easy to get at walmart.

if staying with a 5w-30 Valvoline hands down IMO.
It is really good. And doing lots and lots of research I use it in all my customers cars. Thanks!
 
The rotella is likely an undisclosed synthetic blend as other hdeo's are as the ck4 and volvo vds 4.5 requirements are tough to meet and I'd be surprised if it doesn't outperform that Valvoline fs hm 5w-30 in everything but cold flow. I like to run 15w-40 in my old 5.3 and 6.0 gm engines and use 0/5w-40 in my 21's 6.2.

New Hampshire can get cold. Think I heard it went down to -30 last year, I would prefer to use something that's a 0w if you're heading into jan-march. I think m1 esp 0w-30 or m1 0w-40 would be the best easy to get choices.

Beautiful square light suburban. Love the style of the square light more. Classy chrome bumpers and rims, black grille, and sliver strip. Loved the dark blue of that generation.
Thank you sir! So either way I’m not losing pretty much lol. Just wanted to compare. I do like knowing the 5w30 is in there since the old girl is outside. Thanks for the complement. It does look way better with the wt package and grille. It’s a retired truck from Langley Airforce base and later a NJ undercover truck. Thanks!
 
188k on my ‘97 Burb with 5w-30, and it has towed a fair amount. I would stick with what you are using.

Keep an eye on the oil cooler lines, they like to leak.
 
188k on my ‘97 Burb with 5w-30, and it has towed a fair amount. I would stick with what you are using.

Keep an eye on the oil cooler lines, they like to leak.
Awesome thank you! Dry as a desert under this rig! Thanks! Nice burban!
 
I'd stick with the 5w-30 if that's been working for you. I've run everything from 0w-30 up to 10w-40 in my '98 with no real difference noticed other than hot oil pressure being slightly higher with the 40 weights. I settled with M1 0w-40 and like it.
 
just stay with the Valvoline high milage, ( ep version preferred) , 5w-30 and a good filter ,why change a good thing if its working well for you. Valvoline makes a excellent oil, and its proving itself.
 
I’m currently running Rotella T5 10w30 in my 4.3 TBI and Vortec just because. I normally run 0w40 in the Vortec though. (Same engine minus 2 cylinders.) The manual allows for both 5w30 and 10w30 depending on temperatures.

They are not picky on oil nor do they need a thicker oil because that’s what they use when they are going WOT in the back of a boat. Seems to be a thing I see with GMT400 owners for whatever reason.
 
Chevy V8s don’t complain about oil - I’d stick to that 5W-30 Vavoline HM, it’s a good compromise between protection and being able to crank when it’s cold. Rotella buys you a bit more ZDDP, but it’s a thick 10W-30.

Now, Shell does make a Rotella T6 Multi-Vehicle 5W-30. It has less ZDDP than T6 xxW-40 but it’s still a stout oil.
 
Mine got a free undercoating from that leaky cooler line. I deleted the cooler and went with a standard oil filter adapter.
The lines aren’t too bad to replace, I did both of mine ~20 years ago.

But yes, to your point, they all seem to start leaking at some point.
 
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