Best Synthetic for LS2 & LS1Engines?

PeteyPete · Jul 1, 2005

Hey Guys, I'm new to the forums, and have already learned alot digging through the archives..

My question however is whether there is any preferred motor oil, diff, and gear oil for LS1/LS2 equipped cars. I've always used Mobil 1 due to it's relatively good price (Walmart) and the fact that it's on the oil cap of both of my cars.

That said, I recall reading some reviews of RP in a few mags and on SpikeTV and how it actually increased HP by reducing friction. Additional HP is great, but I also want to use the oil that will prevent wear and keep my engines in good shape.

What do you guys think?

buster · Jul 1, 2005

Patman is the LS1 guru. If you don't mind looking hard to find it, German Castrol 0w30 is an excellent choice. I'd then say Amsoil 0w-30, followed by Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 or 10w-40.

Islandvic · Jul 1, 2005

Pete, Welcom to BITOG!

Lots of good info here, and everyone is willing to give their opinion and personal experiences.

IMO, M1 is great for LS1/LS2 SBC's.

I have Mobil 1 10w30 now in my '00 Silverado 5.3.

I'm not sure about the increase in power, but I can assume it will let you have all available power and not detract.

I like AC DELCO, WIX, and Bosch Premium filters.

Wal-Mart is one of the best sources for quality oil for great prices.

They have a horrible selection of filters though. Just the big Orange Can that most people here do not like.

SuperTech filters are great, made by Champion Labs, which I have used in the past with no problems.

Good luck, and welcome.

buster · Jul 1, 2005

I don't have an LS1, but I've noticed that my engine is more quiet with the new Mobil 1 and a few others have noticed this as well.

Patman · Jul 1, 2005

The German Castrol 0w30 is working very well for me in my LS1 Corvette. My wear numbers in oil analysis are extremely low, and I have no oil consumption at all. I'm currently 7000 miles into my latest interval, and the oil level on my dipstick has not moved! As you probably know, that's rare for the LS1.

Mike_dup1 · Jul 1, 2005

I put 20,000 miles (3-1/2 yrs) on my 2002 LS1 Trans Am before I traded it last month and it never used a drop of oil in that time. I used Amsoil ATM 10w30 with annual oil changes. Someone I know well has a 2001 LS1 Vette, he says it never uses oil, Mobil 1 and lets the dealer do all the changing.

I hear lot of people say the LS1 uses oil but of the dozen or so owners I have met face to face, none has said that. I have asked them that question. Most of the LS1 owners I know or met are over 40ish and not hot-rodders (by hot-rodders I mean someone who can't ever drive normal)

ebaker · Jul 1, 2005

For the LS1 several people have mentioned a mix of Mobil 1 5w30 or 10w30 with a quart or 2 of Mobil 1 15w50.

sgtgeek · Jul 1, 2005

Running a modified LS1 in an 04 GTO putting over 400 to the rear wheels.....I have used GC 0-30 and it is OK as Patman points out.....for protection/performance I have settled on Amsoil 0-30....the GC 0-30 is great stuff...dont get me wrong...but the engine spins up quicker with the Amsoil 0-30 and I have no problems getting Amsoil versus the "scavenger hunt" required for the GC..

JohnBrowning · Jul 2, 2005

How come no one has tried Delvac-1 in the LT & LS series engines? Come to think about it after looking at how well GC does in them I would imagine Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W40 or Delvac-1 5W40 would do as well if not better? Patman we might need to have you interupt you GC 0W30 usage for one OCI to get some number?

Ryan00TJ · Jul 2, 2005

My best results came from Schaeffer 15w40 Blend in my LS1. I run the car pretty hard and it has never used any oil. Since I have exhausted my Schaeffer's stock I plan on going with the 5W-40 Truck @ SUV.

Patman · Jul 2, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Mike:

I hear lot of people say the LS1 uses oil but of the dozen or so owners I have met face to face, none has said that. I have asked them that question. Most of the LS1 owners I know or met are over 40ish and not hot-rodders (by hot-rodders I mean someone who can't ever drive normal)

That's the key, a lot of LS1 engines burn oil when driven hard. I drive mine hard and it still burns no oil.

If you spend as much time on LS1tech.com and LS2.com as I do, you'll hear a lot more complaints of oil burning. Whenever they do a poll on these sites, there is a significant number of people who burn oil. And I personally know a lot of LS1 owners who burn oil too (people in my old Camaro/Firebird club)

PeteyPete · Jul 2, 2005

From the reading I've done on the Vette Forums, piston slab and oil burning is pretty common for LS1's, especially those made before 2002. Apparently, these problems have been addressed for the LS2 engines.

I've never experienced any problems w/ my 1999 Vette, and have always used Mobil 1, but may give GC a shot.

sgtgeek · Jul 2, 2005

Yeah from the factory the PCV design sucked....there are mods to the valley cover/PCV that fixed that issue...I did the mod and the AMW catch can....the LS2's are running into the exact same issue...they already have a variation of the mod for them out on the forums...and yes....many a 05 GTO owner has already put the catch cans on.....you would think GM would eventually "get it"....

sanitarium16 · Jul 2, 2005

I've been using the new QS Advanced Synthetic in my 4.6 Modular and have nothing but good to say about it. My car was burning oil with Mobil 1 but now it doesn't with the QS. I run 5w30 with a Mobil 1 Oil filter.

unDummy · Jul 3, 2005

Grassroots Motorsports praised BND automotive in the June 2005 issue page 52. This brand has been mentioned before.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009165

http://www.bndautomotive.com/page/page/929427.htm

Dave Hess · Jul 5, 2005

Patman - I'm currently 7000 miles into my latest interval

Do you think GC can make it to 10,000 miles in a LS1 motor ??

Patman · Jul 6, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by LT4 Vette:
Patman - I'm currently 7000 miles into my latest interval

Do you think GC can make it to 10,000 miles in a LS1 motor ??

Wait for my 8000 mile UOA in a couple of weeks, as that should give us a very good indication. I think 10k is possible, although I'm probably going to stick with 8k intervals just to be on the safe side. That's still almost 3 times longer than most Corvette owners go on their intervals!

SSDude · Jul 6, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by JohnBrowning:
How come no one has tried Delvac-1 in the LT & LS series engines? Come to think about it after looking at how well GC does in them I would imagine Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W40 or Delvac-1 5W40 would do as well if not better? Patman we might need to have you interupt you GC 0W30 usage for one OCI to get some number?

I'll be running Delvac1/Turck & SUV latter on in the summer or fall in my modified LS1. I think that it will put up numbers similar to GC.

silverz06vette · Jul 6, 2005

Mine on burns/uses oil when I go to the track (roadcourse). I overfill by a quart like GM says to, in 2 days/400 miles and temps over 300° I only burn/use 1/2 quart. I did have a re-ring done at 20k miles. Its still ususally 1/2 quart over when I change it at 5-8k miles. I have used Mobil 1 5w30 in the past and last OA was Mobil 1 0w-40.

Best Synthetic for LS2 & LS1Engines?

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