I have a small block chevy V8 which I have been running 15W-40 in since the day it was built, which was about 30K miles ago. It's a 383 and makes around 450HP. It's been doing great on the 15W-40 and I've only been putting around 3000-5000 miles a year on it.
Now that I've moved to a bigger city, the vehicle is driven daily and I'm also planning some trips to the drag strip. Would 5W-40 synthetic be worthwhile on the next change? I'm not interested in longer drain intervals. What I'm really looking for is better cold start up protection, increased fuel economy, and overall better protection against wear for the now tougher operating conditions.
This engine has a high volume racing pump as well. It does take quite a bit more power to turn than the stock pump. When priming the oil pump for the first startup with the same electric drill I've used to prime other small blocks with stock oil pumps, the drill was noticeably bogged down trying to turn the pump. All the engines primed with that drill had 15W-40 in them. I know this is rather unscientific but this racing pump does eat alot more power than a stock pump. Would the 5W-40 synthetic be easier to pump and free up some power? I'm also thinking less strain on the cam/distributor gear?
Now that I've moved to a bigger city, the vehicle is driven daily and I'm also planning some trips to the drag strip. Would 5W-40 synthetic be worthwhile on the next change? I'm not interested in longer drain intervals. What I'm really looking for is better cold start up protection, increased fuel economy, and overall better protection against wear for the now tougher operating conditions.
This engine has a high volume racing pump as well. It does take quite a bit more power to turn than the stock pump. When priming the oil pump for the first startup with the same electric drill I've used to prime other small blocks with stock oil pumps, the drill was noticeably bogged down trying to turn the pump. All the engines primed with that drill had 15W-40 in them. I know this is rather unscientific but this racing pump does eat alot more power than a stock pump. Would the 5W-40 synthetic be easier to pump and free up some power? I'm also thinking less strain on the cam/distributor gear?
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