newbie with silverado ss modded x-country driver

[EvanD]

Hello guys, Wanted to check in and intruduce myself. I am the original owner of a 85,000 mile silverado SS with full bolt on mods. Intake, exhaust with long tubes and hi flo cats, converter, pcm tuning, and a bunch of other things lowered 22's upgraded brakes.

I have been a mobile one user since 1st oil change at 5k intervals with a FRAM filter. Sorry this forum is new and I guess fram is evil from everything I have read. I feel that at 5k changes its acceptable although I am gonna look into WIX.

Looking for info this truck runs increased timing and rpms at both idle and shifting points are increased. I drive it between Severe cold in utah ski resorts to vegas heat towing a 6k boat down the highway at 85mph in 110 weather. Mostly severe city miles very harsh conditions stop and go driving during daily commute many 3-5 mile trips truck on and off all day.

My question is my mobile one 5k oil changes acceptable I use the weight on my trucks filler cap??

I have put up 85,000 and changed oil transmission and coolant regularly. What fliuds parts should I replace as maintenance for my truck. I am going to be driving across the us cali to boston and back to vegas and want to prep my truck.

I was thinking about a thermostat and water pump as I have read about them not lasting to 100k and that overheats kill engines as a leading cause.

I want to absolutely drive this truck into the ground. I want to put the most miles possible outta my engine transmission and replace with upgraded stroked forged engine and built transmission but not untill I absolutely have worn out my current drivetrain.

 

[SuperBusa]

Originally Posted By: evandostert

I have been a mobile one user since 1st oil change at 5k intervals with a FRAM filter. Sorry this forum is new and I guess fram is evil from everything I have read. I feel that at 5k changes its acceptable although I am gonna look into WIX.


Good decision to look into something better. If you are using the FRAM Extended Guard (XG series) filter then I'd say it's good.

Originally Posted By: evandostert
Looking for info this truck runs increased timing and rpms at both idle and shifting points are increased. I drive it between Severe cold in utah ski resorts to vegas heat towing a 6k boat down the highway at 85mph in 110 weather. Mostly severe city miles very harsh conditions stop and go driving during daily commute many 3-5 mile trips truck on and off all day.

My question is my mobile one 5k oil changes acceptable I use the weight on my trucks filler cap??


I'm assuming your truck doesn't have a OLM (oil life monitor)? If not, I would say 5K OCIs (oil change intervals) would be OK with Mobil 1 even with your driving conditions.

Originally Posted By: evandostert
I have put up 85,000 and changed oil transmission and coolant regularly. What fliuds parts should I replace as maintenance for my truck. I am going to be driving across the us cali to boston and back to vegas and want to prep my truck.


If you are towing a lot, don't forget the differential fluid change. Make sure to use the right hypoid gear oil for the differential.

 

[EvanD]

Now if anyone knows a good shop in vegas.

Looks like im past due on diffs

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: evandostert


I want to absolutely drive this truck into the ground. I want to put the most miles possible outta my engine transmission and replace with upgraded stroked forged engine and built transmission but not untill I absolutely have worn out my current drivetrain.




Sounds like you want to run the engine into the ground so you can start over with a fresh, modded engine? If I read that correctly than just run the cheapest conventional oil with Fram orange filter for 25k mile oil changes. That way either the Fram or the oil will "get ya" and you can start that engine swap ASAP!

But, on a serious note, I think you'll making a good decision with the Mobil (not mobile!). I have the GMC Sierra Denali truck (2006) with the same engine you have (the 6.0L with 345hp) and run Mobil 1 with 5k mile changes. The OLM usually indicates 20-25% left when I change so the OLM would have taken me to about 6-7k miles anyway. BUT - the OLM is calibrated for conventional oil so the Mobil 1 can go further. However - with your driving style + mods, go no more than 5k miles in my opinion.

 

[EvanD]

No I am not in any way destructive. I always drive it pretty smooth I barely floor it at all. I actually wanna let this engine last it's entire life span.
I have only been down the strip a few times 5 seconds to 60 mph with the converter and low 14's with a big fiberglass cap on the back was good enough for me.
I just have had the truck for some time and want to keep it as long as possible. I went car shopping not much else interested me, well except for a 2nd fun car.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: evandostert


I was thinking about a thermostat and water pump as I have read about them not lasting to 100k and that overheats kill engines as a leading cause.

What year is the truck and what engine? Assuming that it's newer and has a 4.8,5.3 or 6.0 gasser I have never seen one of those pumps leak. It's always the gaskets behind the pumnp that leak but might as well replace the WP while it's off.

 

[ls1mike]

I have had 3 LS1 cars. Two of the pumps went at right around 100,000 miles. Wicked down the shaft. I see a bunch of that over at the LSx boards.

That truck has a 6.0 mated to a 4L60E or 4L65E. I can't remeber which, the main difference is the planetary gears in the 4L65E are better.

 

[EvanD]

6.0 with the 4l60e

My big fear is a water pump going out during my huge trip 3k+ miles killing the engine from an overheat.

I have looked into transmission and its about time for that to go but I guess thats a gamble you take on all high milage auto's

 

[Chris142]

You will smell coolant long before you overheat it if it's leaking.

As I said I have yet to replace one of those pumps due to the pump leaking. If your worried about it just replace it. Takes 45 minutes if you take a beer break. Don't even have to scrape gaskets since it uses O-rings where the pump bolts to the block.