LS1, what do you run ?

[bonnie john]

i have a new (to me) 2003 HOLDEN (GM AUSTRALIA) ute with an LS1, 6 speed manual and LSD

my handbook sez to use 10w30 SJ ILSAC GF2 for optimum fuel economy, or an SJ 15W40 or 20w50 if not available

I did a 500 mile "flush" with an SJ 20w50 because the oil looked a bit dirty; today i changed it for CASTROL MAGNATEC 10W40

any suggestions for improvement please ?

p.s. 5*C lowest temps i've seen here, 43*C the highest. normally 18-30*C daytime ambient

 

[ArrestMeRedZ]

After break-in, I used M1 10-30. About 4 years ago, went to German Castrol 0-30. Not sure if it's available Down Under, but I've been happy with it. I think temps in Vegas are close to what yours are.

Got to say I love the US verson of the Holden, the GTO. If I could have picked up one at a decent price, I'd have traded in the Z-28 on one in a heartbeat.

 

[crinkles]

if it were mine, M1 10w-30 or 0w-40. if cost was no option.

otherwise, a good blend 10w-30. durablend or shell helix 10w-30.

 

[johnbottilaw]

Originally Posted By: bonnie john
i have a new (to me) 2003 HOLDEN (GM AUSTRALIA) ute with an LS1, 6 speed manual and LSD

my handbook sez to use 10w30 SJ ILSAC GF2 for optimum fuel economy, or an SJ 15W40 or 20w50 if not available

I did a 500 mile "flush" with an SJ 20w50 because the oil looked a bit dirty; today i changed it for CASTROL MAGNATEC 10W40

any suggestions for improvement please ?

p.s. 5*C lowest temps i've seen here, 43*C the highest. normally 18-30*C daytime ambient


I've had many LS engines. LS2, LS3, and now LS7. What are the driving conditions? If you track it, Redline 0/10w-40, if not 0/5w-30.

I tested them all, more than I care to remember. I analysed and drove and re-tested.... Redline is so hard to beat I gave up trying. If money is an issue, Castrol or Pennzoil are fine, if fine is good enough. My LS7 makes 700 hp at the wheels and runs superb on Redline 5w-20, 0w-30, and 10w-40. I lose 2% at the wheels with each increase in viscosity. I'm greedy and 1 horspower means alot to me, so I usually go light. Royal Purple did not work so well for me in these engines, XPR was ok, over the counter was trash.

 

[ProStreetCamaro]

I say it really depends on if your engine is going to be one of the ones that consumes oil or not as to which oil you should run. The PCV systems on these engines just plain suck (pun intended because the pcv sucks oil into the throttle body). My 99 SS camaro with 76K on the clock uses quite a bit of oil. Thing is there is nothing wrong with the engine at all. The pcv system sucks the oil up.

 

[aquariuscsm]

People I know who have those motors get the best results on 10W30 dino oils.

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Redline 10w-30 and call it a day. If strictly street duty go with something lighter. I dont use dino oil and most of my LS1 buds use RL or some other syn. Really just have to try different oils and find out for yourself.

 

[Nickdfresh]

I think I'd try the Aussie market versions of Castrol Edge in either 0W-30 or 0W-40...

 

[JohnBrowning]

GC or German Castrol was a hit becasue it was almost a 40Wt.... I would use a good Commerical 15W40 if you like to run conventional oil. If you like to run synthetic a good 10W40,15W40,15W50 would also work great! I know you guys down under like thick oils so I am not even going to bother recomending a 5W30!!!LOL a 5W40 intended for a diesel engine would be a good choice though!

I am not up to speed on what all your market has in OZ as you guys seem to be inbetween worlds in a way!!! You have the Asin market on one side but you also have the Anglo market from the UK and USA on the other. I am not a huge fan of 20W50 just because they seldom are going to do anything that a 15W40 can not do better. I like oils that are designed to handle diesels because they always seem to have much stronger additive packages with regard to anti-wear and dispersants which is what most of us really want we want an engine with low wear and one that is clean!

 

[Win]

Except for one interval of 5/30, I always used 10/30 in the LS1 in my Pontiac GTO (Holden Monaro).

All of the 10/30 intervals, but one, were with Havoline synthetic.

My LS1 never consumed any detectable amount of oil. The LS1 was a great engine.

 

[addyguy]

Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 seems to be a popular and well-regarded oil in Auz. If you're happy with it, I'd stick with that.