GC for 3800 V6 ?

[lght11]

hi

i just discovered 6 qts of GC at local AZ.

My question is, will this be a good oil for my 1997 3800 V6 in my Olds LSS?

I run Mobil 1 10w30 since i got the car almost 100k miles ago. It now has 157k on the clock.

This is for northern N.E.

 

[pscholte]

I don't recommend tampering with an engine/oil combo with which you are happy, but to answer your question: I think SLX in that motor tooling around northern NE is a match made in heaven.

 

[lght11]

hi

with the M1, i have absolutely no complaints. It is remakedly clean inside the engine, no leaks after the valve cover, and consumption is virtually nil.

amazing stuff considering the price and availability.

i would try other stuff like Ams, or Sch, but the hassle of getting it and the shiping price hurts.

 

[Matt_S]

I switched from Mobil 1 10w30 to GC in my '00 3800 Series II and am just as happy. IMHO, this motor runs just as well with one as with the other. I might be switching back to Mobil 1 after a while, but only due to cost and availability, the performance has been great.

 

[ekpolk]

You're lucky in that this is a far less critical decision for you, since you own a GM 3.8L. Say what you will about GM (and I've said some harsh things myself), but that engine is exceptionally durable and easy on oil. I owned a supercharged version in a Regal GS, and was impressed with how well it ran and how clean it stayed. Too bad the rest of the car wasn't so tight. . .

Anyway, why don't you just give it a try and see if you notice any performance advantage that you feel is significant. If so, become a permanent member of the "green" club; if not, go back to M1. An easy choice; you win either way.

 

[Schmoe]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Why mess with success???

 

[sewerman]

Been running SLX (GC) in my wife's 03 Impala for about 3500 miles,car is as quiet and smooth running as it has been since day one and I think it is doing a fine job in there..Gonna do a used oil analysis at 6k...The only down side is the mpg dropped off about a mile or two..More than likely it's going back to RP 5w30 next change..

 

[ekpolk]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Schmoe:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Why mess with success???

---

Why does the english language contain the words "better" and "best" in addition to "good?" You're right, he's fine where he is, but if he wants to see if he can do better, why not?

Also keep in mind that GC does NOT carry the "Energy Conserving" starburst. If extracting the ultimate mpg is a high priority for you, then maybe GC isn't the best choice.

 

[haley10]

I have switched to GC (SLX) in my 2000 Regal. I think it may well be the perfect match.

I like the idea that I can run it all year and only have to stock one oil, no matter what temperature extremes we might have.

I ran Mobil 1 10w30 for a few oci's and did get a very good uoa though. My car spent it's first 60K or so on Syntec 10w30. The board tends to throw rocks at that oil, but my engine seemed at it's smoothest and most responsive with that.

I will probably stay with GC. This engine will normally out-last the rest of the car with Pennzoil or Castrol GTX dino anyway. GC works for me. I don't have to change as frequently and only have to stock one. The cost works out.

 

[Brons2]

I got outstanding UOA results on my ex-girlfriend's 3.8 Impala running Drive Clean 10w30, I think it was about $1.15 a quart at WalMart. Also ran a SuperTech filter that cost $1.99.

I guess in Northern NE the synthetic might be good, but down here in Texas, I would run dino in my 3.8. The car will fall apart long before the engine will.

 

[lght11]

hi

using syn helps me in several ways some of which are better mpg, fewer oil changes, and perhaps longer engine life partially due to cleanliness.

i have owned many 38's, and all had over 250k when i traded. One, a 1995, is still around here and has 380 on it now. although it looks awful, the car still answers the morning bell.