Chevy Engines - 6 & 8

[NewGuy]

Hello everyone. I have reviewed BITOG for several weeks and just became a member. It is a great forum and I have learned a lot. I have a comment and a question.

Comment: My brother has a 2001 Silverado with the 4.3L V6 and drives >40,000 miles/yr for work. He has used Havoline 10W30 exclusively and now has 215,000 miles on the truck with no problems. I have seen some good comments on Havoline oil and my brother hopes to get 300,000 out of his truck.

Question: I have a 2004 5.3L Tahoe with 11,000 miles. I have used Castrol GTX5W30 w/3000 OCI. I drive ~35,000 miles/yr (75% Hwy, 25% City) and need this Tahoe to last at least 5 years. I want to get a used oil analysis soon to determine how my 5.3 likes the Castrol 5W30. I saw a post by BamBam on his 5.3 and read comments about using a synthetic. I want to use the best oil & filter possible to promote longevity. I would like to change the oil every 5,000 miles and possibly use the AC Delco PF 46 filter used by the dealership. I am leaning towards Mobil 1 5W30, Mobil DC Plus NV or Castrol Syntec. Any comments?

 

[JHZR2]

I have a 98 S-10 ZR2 with the same 4.3, and am convinced from my time on this site that no syn oil protects in that engine better than shevron/texaco oil or pennzoil!

As for the 5.3, I doubt any design specs are that far off from that of the older design 4.3. that said, you might want to consider chevron supreme/texaco havoline (the same product), or pennzoil 5w30. I love Mobil 1 and have had a lot of excellent successes, and great used oil analysis using it in other applications, but have NEVER liked the results Ive seen on here of Mobil 1 5w30 and 10w30 in the GM truck engines, especially compared to results using pennzoil.

Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w-40 may be a great choice, a used oil analysis would have to confirm it. German Castrol may be an even better choice, since its just a heavy 30 weight. Im going to experiment with that next in my 4.3. I am happy with castrol start-up in my 4.3, some say its expensive and just a souped up GTX, others say its GTX with esters... One way or another, I like the way the truck starts. I think these 4.3 results will carry to your 5.3 engine well.

JMH

 

[haley10]

With that much highway driving and if you aren't heavy hauling I think you could easily do extended drains once the warranty is out.

Getting a Blackstone/Dyson analysis would be my recommendation. Terry can guide you through the process to longer oci's and extended life, hopefully.

Unless you enjoy it 5K won't be necessary.

We have some good Amsoil reps too if you want to extend oci's.

 

[Marlin]

If doing it every 5K and 75% of your driving is highway then Mobils DC+ will be just fine. If you want to push it to the 7-8K range them Mobil 1 will do just fine as well.

Also AC delco filters are made by Champ Labs so you can use STP, SuperTech, etc... which is pretty much the same but cheaper.

 

[4.8 Silverado]

I`m driving 36 k a year and have had 3 used oil analysis`s done so far to find my extended drain interval.Its looking like at least 14k using Mobil 1 10w30 and Mobil 1 15w50 with LC. Get a used oil analysis to see whats really going on with your oil.

 

[mikemc]

It sounds like you and your brother are on the right track. A used oil analysis would be helpful in determing a safe interval. Since most of your driving is highway, I don't think you really need to spend all that money for a synthetic. The current API/SM rated conventinal oils are very good and a used oil analysis will tell you how they hold up after 5K.

 

[TEXDOG]

4.8 Silverado , are you running an M1 mix? if so what % each?

 

[TheFuror]

quote:

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Originally posted by NewGuy:
Question: I have a 2004 5.3L Tahoe with 11,000 miles. I have used Castrol GTX5W30 w/3000 OCI. I drive ~35,000 miles/yr (75% Hwy, 25% City) and need this Tahoe to last at least 5 years. I want to get a used oil analysis soon to determine how my 5.3 likes the Castrol 5W30. I saw a post by BamBam on his 5.3 and read comments about using a synthetic. I want to use the best oil & filter possible to promote longevity. I would like to change the oil every 5,000 miles and possibly use the AC Delco PF 46 filter used by the dealership. I am leaning towards Mobil 1 5W30, Mobil DC Plus NV or Castrol Syntec. Any comments?

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I have this exact engine in my current Avalanche. I have owned both a GM 1998 5.7 V8 (iron block) and a 1990 4.3 V6 Vortec before. In both I used the older GF-3 GTX with very good results.

In the current engine I went with Kendall GT-1 synthetic. In about 6 weeks I will send the oil off for a used oil analysis, so we'll see.

GM does recommend Mobil 1 as the factory fill for Corvettes, and Castrol still posts good used oil analysis, despite the group III versus group IV controversy. I say pick the one which has the best looking label and then do a used oil analysis to confirm.

With respect to oil filters, I am finding the K&N's to work very well.

Bob W.

 

[haley10]

quote:

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Originally posted by TEXDOG:
4.8 Silverado , are you running an Mobil 1 mix? if so what % each?

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Yep, and that's why I posed the question of why he thinks it's better than Mobil 1 0W-40. Inquiring minds want to know. I think the 0W-40 is a lot better than people give it credit for.

Personally, I'd mix it to bring it up to around 12 CST like GC.

Just right.

 

[haley10]

quote:

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Originally posted by 4.8 Silverado:
I`m driving 36 k a year and have had 3 used oil analysis`s done so far to find my extended drain interval.Its looking like at least 14k using Mobil 1 10w30 and Mobil 1 15w50 with LC. Get a used oil analysis to see whats really going on with your oil.

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No interest in the OW-40 version?? I only ask because Mobil 1 0W-40 and GC 0w30 meet LL specs., but of course LC will help any oil.

 

[NewGuy]

Thank you for all of the feedback and suggestions. I believe that I will keep the Castrol GTX for now and change every 4-5000. I will get a used oil analysis as my warranty will expire in about 10 months (due to the higher mileage).

I hope that someone on BITOG will help me interpret the data?

Thanks Again for the advice.