Amsoil 5W-30 (ASL) in a 2002 Corvette LS-1

vettenuts · Jan 7, 2003

First, a little background. Car was bought new on 9 November 2001 and carefully broken in per the owner's manual. On 12 December 2001, at 1,020 miles, the factory oil (Mobil 1 with AC Delco PF-44 oil filter) was removed and replaced with Amsoil 5w30. Car was driven another 26 miles and then stored in a carbag until March 2002. At that time a Donaldson Blackwing air filter was installed in lieu of the stock unit and a couple of other minor modifications were made. Car was run until 22 December 2002 at which time this oil sample was taken and the oil was replaced with fresh Amsoil 5w30 and the Mobil 1 filter was replaced with a AC Delco Ultraguard Gold UPF-44 filter. The car had 6,955 miles at the time of the oil change/sample and the oil had 5,935 miles on it. Approximately 3/4 quart of oil was added over this time frame. Of further interest, the Driver's Information Center was showing 49% oil life remaining. Here are the results as received from Terry Dyson today:

Oil Brand/Weight : Amsoil 5w30
Type Equipment : 2002 Corvette
Miles/Hours on oil : 5935
Total Miles/Hours : 6955

Results ppm/% Comments (blank=normal)
Wear
Copper 169 Elevated, common issue for the LS1
Iron 13
Chromium 1 low
Lead 1 low
Aluminum 2 low
Silicon 68 elevated,RTV leachate
Tin 9 slight elevation

Additives
Molybdenum 2 all rings,low
Sodium 3
Magnesium 373 AW/antioxidant add
Zinc 1260 high level
Potassium 0 no coolant leaks
Phosphorus 896
Calcium 2310 high level,good

Physical Properties
Water negative
Fuel negative
Antifreeze negative
Soot 0 clean no solids
Oxidation 19 scale 0-199 9.5 % low,good !
Nitration 45 scale 0-199 22.5% average/low,good combus eff.

Sulfur 0 no fuel sufur
TBN 10 Excellent retention
Vis@100 C 12.5 just barely into 40w, Amsoil design

Final Comments : Copper is what we see with this engine, let me know how much noise you hear at idle warm in sump/main bearing area.
Normal LS1 new. Amsoil is well built oil although typically thick. For extended drains
AFTER wear values stabilize, we need to confirm Amsoil doesn't thicken out of grade too much.
Questions, please ask ? Confirm this is Amsoil ASL 5w30 ? Stuff does well in cold though for
cold pump/crank while protecting like a 40w oil.

To answer Terry's questions, motor is as quiet as a mouse and there is no perceptible bottom end noise or piston slap. The exhaust, on the other hand, is a different story

The oil was indeed Amsoil 5w30 ASL.

Questions, is the copper level this elevated normal for the LS-1? Is the silicon the result of a new motor or the Donaldson filter? Any other comments welcome.

edit-fixed numbers up top, the miles on oil and miles on engine numbers were previously reversed.

[ January 24, 2003, 06:27 AM: Message edited by: Patman ]

Bio-T · Jan 7, 2003

I don't think that you are having any problem with the Donaldson filter itself. I am using a large open one on my truck with no problems or leaks. White rag in the intake shows perfectly clean. Go to the filters forum and look at the post by me on the filter.

Patman · Jan 7, 2003

Yes, all LS1 engines have large amounts of copper in the oil analysis, this doesn't seem to harm anything though, as your iron and lead numbers are great!

Stick with this oil and you should see a big improvement as the engine breaks in. I'm not sure you'll ever see the copper level in the single digits though.

Terry, what kind of copper numbers do higher mileage LS1s show that you've tested? I've yet to see an LS1 analysis with copper in single digits yet.

EDIT-I stand corrected, see the latest report I just found on the net on an LS1 with 75k on it.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000287

[ January 08, 2003, 06:32 AM: Message edited by: Patman ]

TooSlick · Jan 7, 2003

Vettenuts,

Numbers look fine for a new engine, but I'd recommend the Series 2000, 0w30 for any type of high performance application. It will hold up better and give you a small gain in performance and fuel efficiency. If you drive this car really hard, I also think it will give you slightly lower wear rates. With the small amount of driving you are doing, you can probably run the same oil for two years and just change oil filters every six months. I do this on a regular basis with my own vehicles....

The Series 2000 - 0w30 and 20w-50 - and Series 3000, 5w30 are about all I use now, unless I am testing some other Amsoil formulation in order to get oil analysis data ....

TooSlick

vettenuts · Jan 9, 2003

My manual states a miximum time between changes of 12 months. I also like to change it before I put it up for the winter, do you think that with low mileage use and an annual change to appease the warranty god's that I will see a benefit from the Series 3000 oil?

yankees1 · Jan 10, 2003

Ed from Amsoil tells me I will not see any benefit from using the 3000 series oil over the 10w30. He told me I should use the 10w30 as it was developed for my engine specs. He said I could use the 3000 series with no problem but I would gain no benefit.

buster · Jan 10, 2003

Great numbers. Your oil life monitor reading 49% with 5K miles on oil tells me they do go by mileage. I don't think any sensor can tell how much life is left in oil. I'm not sure why a 0w30 would be better then a 10w30. With any performance car, I would stick with a 10w30 oil.

[ January 11, 2003, 07:11 AM: Message edited by: buster ]

vettenuts · Jan 10, 2003

10W-30 vice the 5w30 being used, why that recommendation? Based on the analysis, the 5w30 appears to be holding up well with regards to viscosity.

yankees1 · Jan 10, 2003

I wanted to use Ams 3000 5w30 and tried my best to justify it but I couldn't! I sent several e-mails straight to Amsoil and all responses were the same! " The 10w30 was made with the specs just for the gas engine and to GM's specs for the corvette. This oil has more then enough rust inhibitors to protect your engine during the winter months when it is in storage. However, if you want to use the 5w30, it will will perform as good also but it is not needed to protect your engine" So, why should I pay an extra $2.30 a quart? I will go with the 10w30 even though I wanted to go with the 3000 series!! There is an old saying! Anyone who asks for your opinion is looking for an accomplice! In other words I was asking Amsoil hoping they would agree with the choice I wanted them to make! But they didn't so this time I will follow their advice!

vettenuts · Jan 10, 2003

Yankees1, not sure I understand. The 5w30 I am using is the ASL. Is the 10w30 you propose to use the ATM? The prices are the same for both products.

yankees1 · Jan 10, 2003

Yes I am using the ATM! Sorry, I thought you were referring to the 5w30 3000 series oil that is advertised for diesals but can be used for gas also. This oil has more rust inhibitors and according to some like Tooslik is their best oil! Most responses I have received indicates that a 10w30 would be better in my vette than the 5w30 as it would offer better protection during the summer and I don't need the 5w as I don't drive it in the winter! Sorry I confused you!

[ January 11, 2003, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: yankees1 ]

vettenuts · Jan 10, 2003

I may go to the 10w30 on the next change, but with some of the temperatures the car saw this summer (car gauge read 107 external temperature a couple of times during 4th of July week) I was very pleased with the results of the 5w30 above. I also had a 1/2 case left

buster · Jan 10, 2003

5w30 would be fine. I was thinking the 0w30 would thin out due to it's high VI's.

[ January 11, 2003, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: buster ]

yankees1 · Jan 10, 2003

Tooslick, I did phrase the question EXACTLY as you posted it and Ed told me I would still be better off using 10w30 as I would gain nothing by going to the 3000 series 5w30! Believe me, I would LOVE to use the 3000 series oil but I have to justify it btu Ed told me over and over again that the regular 10w30 syn will protect my IDOL engine as well as the 5w30! I hate to spend the extra bucks for no advantage and Ed insisted that there would be no advantage! I appreciate your opinions as you are very helpful on this board! You could even be right on this matter but I just thought an Amsoil company rep should know his products. Has anyone ran an oil analysis in the same vehicle using these two oils? Thanks again!

vettenuts · Jan 11, 2003

I found found that finding oil analysis on the LS-1 to be somewhat lacking. I am in hopes that others with the motor will post to this board in the future. As for me, I am happy with my results so far and may consider the other 5w30 next year when the time comes, but for now I just re-filled with the 5w30 ASL.

Patman · Jan 11, 2003

vettenuts · Jan 11, 2003

Thanks for the links. All in all, I am pleased with my results and plan to continue using the Amsoil. Also, I have two cars coming up for oil changes that are using Mobil 1. Since I can't find Mobil 1 in the 5 quart jug, and it is near $5/quart otherwise, I may just pick up a case of Amsoil and switch them over as well.

yankees1 · Jan 11, 2003

Good Choice!

[ January 11, 2003, 05:27 PM: Message edited by: yankees1 ]

TooSlick · Jan 11, 2003

Vettenuts,

I always recommend what I would do if I owned the vehicle or piece of equipment in question. So in this case, I would run the Series 3000, 5w30; test it after a year and just change oil filters. I don't believe in dumping out perfectly good oil, so I'd probably end up running the same stuff for two full years. I realize this sounds insane, but I do it all the time on my personal vehicles. If I was running the regular 5w30 or 10w30, I would change it annually ....

As a general practice, using the synthetic diesel oil is best for an engine that is not run for long periods of time. If you were to phrase the question that way, I think you'd get the same response from my friends Darren and Ed at Amsoil tech services.

regards,

TooSlick

buster · Apr 26, 2003

This is really old but I've trying to give a guy at work a hand with his Vette. He is experiencing the piston slap noise many Vette owners experience. He also adds about 1.5 qts of Mobil 1 every 3k miles. What impresses me with this analysis is only 1/4qt of Amsoil was used during the 5k miles. That is great for an LS1 engine. Would you say it's more bc it's thicker or the NOAK volatility is better? Seems Amsoil is a better choice in Vettes.

[ April 27, 2003, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: buster ]

Amsoil 5W-30 (ASL) in a 2002 Corvette LS-1

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