Could use some help on oil type and info.

[6000SSEi]

Hello everyone. I am new to the boards and I have a couple questions that I have had a hard time trying to find and was also looking for some ideas of others on oil as well..

My First question is this. I am switching to amsoil oil, air filter and oil filter... I know that much forsure. What I dont know is what to run..0w30, 5w30, 10w30..

My engine is a 3800 Series II supercharged with moderate engine mods but stock block. Supercharger is self contained. The car is only driven in the summer in temperatures from 0*c to 40*c approx depending on the time of year. I always let the car warm up in the morning so it does do some idleing and I do like to work the engine when needed as well..

The other things I was hopeing to find out by joining here is some knowledge about oil, what all is in the oil and what 10w40 actually means and how it works in the engine under certain contidions and temperatures. polys and molys, all this is new to me so please bare with my newbness.

Any help or a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Audi Junkie]

30/40 is the visc range at +100c, a reference "operating tempature". It's more precisely expressed in units called "Centistrokes" or cSt, roughly 10-15. The "w" is the cold-cranking rating test it passes at a very cold temp, roughly -20 to -30f. 0w, 5w, 10w etc. Oils that crank at a lower temps generally burn-off a lil faster, but only in some instances. There, now you know more about oil than 99% of mechanics and auto store employees.

Welcome.

 

[6000SSEi]

Ahaha, thanks for your help so far. There is a LOT more to oil then I ever thought there to be, and no one I know really seems to know anything more then the 10w being cold and 30 being hot. But the higher the number the less viscous it is or more viscous?

 

[ThirdeYe]

Higher the number the thicker it is.

 

[Spector]

I ran the 10W30 for a while ( same engine 2000 model year, SC but all stock) but noticed a slight amount of clacking from the engine at idle on the 10W30. I decided to try mixing/blending 50-50 the Amsoil 5W30 series 3000 with the 10W40 ( 7 1/2 W 35 ) and it has worked beautifully, no clacking, same MPG etc. 10W30 was fine and it may be a starting point to see how yours does.

 

[ZZman]

Just go with what the manufacturer says. Probably 5-30 or 10-30.

 

[Scout1]

Check out the links on the left side of this page...

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

[addyguy]

I think these engines call for 10w30 oil. If you are for sure using Amsoil, then there are two excellent choices you can use, their ATM 10w30 (standard PAO 25k mile long-drain oil); or another great choice that is a bit cheaper is ACD 30/10W-30 oil. If you want to go cheaper, you can use their XL 10w30, the group III product....ideas for a start.....

 

[NightRiderQ45]

 

[daman]

I had the same motor in a Bonneville,owners manual calls for
10w30 and thats all i ran in it,being a forced inducted engine
GM opted for a slightly thicker oil, i wouldn't run anything
but a good full synthetic oil in that motor with the
extra heat it will produce..

stick with 10w30....

 

[6000SSEi]

Thanks everyone for you help so far and the nice welcoming! I think I have decided to go with the ATM 10w30 after talking with a few people and some looking around. After a few more hours of reading I should understand a little more about oil itself which would be nice because it seems not many people know much about it.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: 6000SSEi
I have decided to go with the ATM 10w30

Nice choice,that or M1 10w30 HM is a good way to go...