Hey guys, I have a 99 camaro Ls1 with 84k miles. I'm thinking of using valvoline maxlife10w40 for my next change. I have the infamous pcv oil consumption about 1 quart per 2800 miles. Is maxlife good for these engines? It had Mobil 1 5w30 previously.
Ls1 oil advice
- Thread starter tealz
- Start date
- Status
It will be fine. LS-1's likes a heavier oil. But a qt in 2,800 miles is not bad.
My '02 Z28 has had nothing in its crankcase but Mobil 1 5w30 since it was new. At 150k miles, it will only burn ~1 qt per 5000 miles. I recently put Mobil 1 High Mileage in it to get more detergency action. I recommend staying with the 5w30. Within the extent of my experience, these engines don't need 40-weight oils.
Can you fix the pcv oil consumption problem by replacing the pcv valve?
Can you fix the pcv oil consumption problem by replacing the pcv valve?
Patman of this site has I believe a '98 Corvette that has had some stellar used oil analysis on German Castrol (Syntec 0w-30). It is on the heavier end of the xW-30 scale which coincides with the recommendation of a heavier oil.
I run either GC 0w30 or Mobil 1 0w40 in my LS2.
I have changed the pcv to the orifice type that is used in the LS truck engines. It seems to have helped some. Is GC still a good oil to use? I am just a bit afraid of a 0w30 only b/c I have never used it. In my mind I think that it would have no protection on start-up with a 0w. I do have some minor piston slap only for about 20sec. on a cold start-up.
Originally Posted By: tealz
I have changed the pcv to the orifice type that is used in the LS truck engines. It seems to have helped some. Is GC still a good oil to use? I am just a bit afraid of a 0w30 only b/c I have never used it. In my mind I think that it would have no protection on start-up with a 0w. I do have some minor piston slap only for about 20sec. on a cold start-up.
The 0w oil is thicker when cold than the 30 or 40 wt oil is when hot!!!
I have changed the pcv to the orifice type that is used in the LS truck engines. It seems to have helped some. Is GC still a good oil to use? I am just a bit afraid of a 0w30 only b/c I have never used it. In my mind I think that it would have no protection on start-up with a 0w. I do have some minor piston slap only for about 20sec. on a cold start-up.
The 0w oil is thicker when cold than the 30 or 40 wt oil is when hot!!!
0w30 is geared especially for cold startup. 0w is thinner when cold than a 5w or 10w....thin = good when cold. When it has warmed up, it's just like a standard 30.
GC is a very heavy 30 and is almost 0w40.
GC is a very heavy 30 and is almost 0w40.
Originally Posted By: dparm
0w30 is geared especially for cold startup. 0w is thinner when cold than a 5w or 10w....thin = good when cold. When it has warmed up, it's just like a standard 30.
GC is a very heavy 30 and is almost 0w40.
Yes i think he had the impression that it was like water when cold and thick when hot!! a lot of people think this!!
All oils are thick when cold, just how thick, they are thinnest when hot.
0w30 is geared especially for cold startup. 0w is thinner when cold than a 5w or 10w....thin = good when cold. When it has warmed up, it's just like a standard 30.
GC is a very heavy 30 and is almost 0w40.
Yes i think he had the impression that it was like water when cold and thick when hot!! a lot of people think this!!
All oils are thick when cold, just how thick, they are thinnest when hot.
Last edited:
I think GC 0w30 in particular is actually thicker than most 5w's at most temperatures except extremely, extremely cold. Forgive me for not knowing the exact number, but it's a -f number I'm sure. So don't worry. It would only be thinner in a situation where you'd REALLY need it to be. ;P
Mobil 1 0W40 should work well on your LS motor.
tealz,
I just use Mobil 1 5w30 in my 08' Impala SS and it appears to be a fine oil to use.
Durango
I just use Mobil 1 5w30 in my 08' Impala SS and it appears to be a fine oil to use.
Durango
Last edited:
So should I stick with a full synthetic or the maxlife blend? My only complaints is it seems to have created a small leak and seems noisy since m1 is pretty thin so I've been told.
Last edited:
tealz,
If you can afford it I'd just stay with a pure synthetic and go the full maintanence schedule for your Camaro. Maxlife is fine if that's what you prefer.
In my own car I don't know much about the LS1 engines so can anyone enlighten me about my motor??? It appears to be a fantastic engine that converts from an 8 cylinder into a 4 on the highway/freeways. So far I have about 12K on it and the mileage isn't as good as I had expected. I took it on a trip once from L.A. to Arizona and drivng to and from the mileage didn't seem good. It drank like a fish. So what gives??
Durango
If you can afford it I'd just stay with a pure synthetic and go the full maintanence schedule for your Camaro. Maxlife is fine if that's what you prefer.
In my own car I don't know much about the LS1 engines so can anyone enlighten me about my motor??? It appears to be a fantastic engine that converts from an 8 cylinder into a 4 on the highway/freeways. So far I have about 12K on it and the mileage isn't as good as I had expected. I took it on a trip once from L.A. to Arizona and drivng to and from the mileage didn't seem good. It drank like a fish. So what gives??
Durango
10W-30 M1 was a bit noisy in my LS1. I went with GC three years ago, and have been pleased. More pressure, less noise.
Thirty bucks for five quarts with the K&N oil filter (one of the very best) at Autozone right now. I'm stocking up.
Thirty bucks for five quarts with the K&N oil filter (one of the very best) at Autozone right now. I'm stocking up.
I've used the old Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w-40, Pennzoil Conventional 5w30, Havoline DS 5w30, GC, and Castrol Syntec 5w30. All the used oil analysis I've done are approximately the same. No difference worth mentioning. Heat, cold, and staandard...no difference.
DS is the lightest conventional oil regularly available. Castrol Syntec the lightest synthetic generally available. No problems with either. Mobil 1 Truck and SUV made it feel like it was full of molasses, but the used oil analysis was good. I'm using up any GC stash I had and will go to Pennzoil Conventional. I pretty much use Pennzoil Conventional in everything now.
The LS1 is a good engine, and not subject to any requirements for magic oil. Go with whatever you want.
DS is the lightest conventional oil regularly available. Castrol Syntec the lightest synthetic generally available. No problems with either. Mobil 1 Truck and SUV made it feel like it was full of molasses, but the used oil analysis was good. I'm using up any GC stash I had and will go to Pennzoil Conventional. I pretty much use Pennzoil Conventional in everything now.
The LS1 is a good engine, and not subject to any requirements for magic oil. Go with whatever you want.
Originally Posted By: tealz
So should I stick with a full synthetic or the maxlife blend? My only complaints is it seems to have created a small leak and seems noisy since m1 is pretty thin so I've been told.
I recommend sticking with the full synthetic.
Your concern with a small leak and noise due to relative thin oil is why I was recommending M1 High Mileage. High Mileage oils are formulated to swell seals that may have shrunk with age, so maybe it will cure or slow down your leak. While M1 is not notably thin compared to other 30-weights, the HM version is a little bit thicker, expecially the 10w30 grade, so may do something for noise, but I wouldn't count on a big change there. My engine has had a lot of mechanical noise since new, and it still runs fine at 150k.
Or German Castrol would also be a good oil. If you are unfamiliar with BITOG-speak, it is 0w30 Castrol Syntec (European Formula) that says "Made in Germany" on the back of the bottle. It is a 30-weight that is only about 10% in viscosity from being a 40-weight. Many people on this site love it. It is most commonly available at Autozone. And don't worry about it being a 0w-30, it actually has higher viscosity at 40 and 100C than M1 does.
So should I stick with a full synthetic or the maxlife blend? My only complaints is it seems to have created a small leak and seems noisy since m1 is pretty thin so I've been told.
I recommend sticking with the full synthetic.
Your concern with a small leak and noise due to relative thin oil is why I was recommending M1 High Mileage. High Mileage oils are formulated to swell seals that may have shrunk with age, so maybe it will cure or slow down your leak. While M1 is not notably thin compared to other 30-weights, the HM version is a little bit thicker, expecially the 10w30 grade, so may do something for noise, but I wouldn't count on a big change there. My engine has had a lot of mechanical noise since new, and it still runs fine at 150k.
Or German Castrol would also be a good oil. If you are unfamiliar with BITOG-speak, it is 0w30 Castrol Syntec (European Formula) that says "Made in Germany" on the back of the bottle. It is a 30-weight that is only about 10% in viscosity from being a 40-weight. Many people on this site love it. It is most commonly available at Autozone. And don't worry about it being a 0w-30, it actually has higher viscosity at 40 and 100C than M1 does.
Patman
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Patman of this site has I believe a '98 Corvette that has had some stellar used oil analysis on German Castrol (Syntec 0w-30). It is on the heavier end of the xW-30 scale which coincides with the recommendation of a heavier oil.
True, I did see my best wear numbers with German Castrol (which according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis typically finished up with a viscosity of around 12.0 to 12.4 cst at 100c), however it was also the original green formula. I never did test the new formula to see how it would have done. I've gotten very similar results with Pennzoil Platinum and Ultra though, both of which have a viscosity of around 11.0cst at 100c according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis. So you don't necessarily need to go thick with the oil choice in the LS1 in order to see good results.
Patman of this site has I believe a '98 Corvette that has had some stellar used oil analysis on German Castrol (Syntec 0w-30). It is on the heavier end of the xW-30 scale which coincides with the recommendation of a heavier oil.
True, I did see my best wear numbers with German Castrol (which according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis typically finished up with a viscosity of around 12.0 to 12.4 cst at 100c), however it was also the original green formula. I never did test the new formula to see how it would have done. I've gotten very similar results with Pennzoil Platinum and Ultra though, both of which have a viscosity of around 11.0cst at 100c according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis. So you don't necessarily need to go thick with the oil choice in the LS1 in order to see good results.
Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Patman of this site has I believe a '98 Corvette that has had some stellar used oil analysis on German Castrol (Syntec 0w-30). It is on the heavier end of the xW-30 scale which coincides with the recommendation of a heavier oil.
True, I did see my best wear numbers with German Castrol (which according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis typically finished up with a viscosity of around 12.0 to 12.4 cst at 100c), however it was also the original green formula. I never did test the new formula to see how it would have done. I've gotten very similar results with Pennzoil Platinum and Ultra though, both of which have a viscosity of around 11.0cst at 100c according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis. So you don't necessarily need to go thick with the oil choice in the LS1 in order to see good results.
I suspect a lot has to do with the driver and the driving patterns as well. Patman and guys like Bill_in_Utah seem to get great used oil analysis no matter what. A good engine as a starting point helps too.
Incidentally, I happen still to have about 33L of GC green waiting to be used up. I blame EKPOLK's g35 used oil analysis for that compulsion. Should finally have a car in a few months that will be a good use for it.
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Patman of this site has I believe a '98 Corvette that has had some stellar used oil analysis on German Castrol (Syntec 0w-30). It is on the heavier end of the xW-30 scale which coincides with the recommendation of a heavier oil.
True, I did see my best wear numbers with German Castrol (which according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis typically finished up with a viscosity of around 12.0 to 12.4 cst at 100c), however it was also the original green formula. I never did test the new formula to see how it would have done. I've gotten very similar results with Pennzoil Platinum and Ultra though, both of which have a viscosity of around 11.0cst at 100c according to my Wearcheck used oil analysis. So you don't necessarily need to go thick with the oil choice in the LS1 in order to see good results.
I suspect a lot has to do with the driver and the driving patterns as well. Patman and guys like Bill_in_Utah seem to get great used oil analysis no matter what. A good engine as a starting point helps too.
Incidentally, I happen still to have about 33L of GC green waiting to be used up. I blame EKPOLK's g35 used oil analysis for that compulsion. Should finally have a car in a few months that will be a good use for it.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked