Oil recommendation for Honda 2.4L I4

[bchaney]

1. What kind of vehicle you have

I have a freshly built 2.4L engine with mostly Acura TSX components. For the purposes of this thread I think it's safe to assume that it's a TSX engine with slightly higher performance (250whp).

2. What your owner's manual says

I believe 5W-20 is in the manual but it seems that 5w30 is the oil to run in these engines. I've heard of cam galling issues with K-series engines running 5W-20.

3. Where you live

Central PA but I travel around the east (NJ, NY, CT) often.

4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)

This is my daily driver so it sees a good mix of driving styles. Mostly easy cruising to/from work but I do like to do some spirited driving on the twisties (hard acceleration but not necessarily high speeds). I generally take it easy on long trips.

5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)

Mostly short trips to/from work (6mi commute) and running errands during the week. Long trips at least every other weekend.

6. Whether your car has any known problems

No current engine problems.


I'm currently running Pennzoil Conventional 10w30 for break-in but would like to switch to a synthetic after about 1k. A 5-10k OCI sounds good to me, but I'm really open to anything. I want to treat this engine right because I built it myself and plan on keeping it forever. I've read a lot of good things about Amsoil but it seems pretty pricey, is not readily available, and may be overkill for a DD. Pennzoil Platinum also seems to get high praise here, so I'm considering that as well.

I'm willing to pay a bit more for better engine protection, but also appreciate a good value since this is my DD and oil costs will add up over this engine's 300k (hopefully) life.

I plan on running 5w30 - what is the advantage of using different oils in the summer/winter?

 

[bepperb]

Do you have an oil/water heat exchanger or not? The SI/TSX does, the regular K24's dont. I think a 5-30 is right on the money, year round, unless you don't have the heat exchanger and you plan on doing more than daily driving. Did you get the six speed manual from the TSX too?

 

[chad8]

Pennzoil Platinum, Pennzoil Ultra, Mobil 1 5w30 syntec are all great synthetic oils.
Buy whats on sale or rebate and relax. Your motor is a good one and is not picky on oils.
Imo ,Amsoil ,royal purple, and redline are all over priced for general use. If you were racing , that changes a bit.

 

[bchaney]

Yes, I do have the oil cooler from an RSX.

My transmission is an 03 Accord 5-speed with an 07 Civic Si LSD.

 

[Artem]

So... what car is this engine in?

 

[bchaney]

It's in an 03 Civic Si hatchback.

Do they sell PU by the gallon? I can't seem to find it online. How much more expensive is it than PP and what are the advantages?

 

[Pablo]

I don't know how someone would consider Amsoil in general as overkill for a daily driver. 90%+ of Amsoil gasoline engine motor oil is for "daily drivers". Here's a couple low cost suggestions:

Amsoil OE 5w30

Amsoil XL 5w30

 

[dparm]

Honda specs 5w30 for that everywhere outside North America. The 5w20 spec is for CAFE (fuel economy requirements).

Any off-the-shelf 5w30 synthetic would work fine. Honda motors are not hard on oil, even if you're running on high-cam regularly (aka "hitting VTEC"). My 8200rpm-redline Integra GS-R saw Mobil 1 5w20 its whole life and it ran with perfect compression when I sold it with 82k on the clock.

 

[chad8]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
I don't know how someone would consider Amsoil in general as overkill for a daily driver. 90%+ of Amsoil gasoline engine motor oil is for "daily drivers". Here's a couple low cost suggestions:

Amsoil OE 5w30

Amsoil XL 5w30


yes ,I know you are a dealer who makes a multi level profit off amsoil. Do you think that 5 quarts @ $30 plus shipping is a value considering that we can buy Pennzoil platinum or Mobil 1 for under $20 and with rebates sometimes as low as $10 ? I have used some amsoil products and they are decent , but not much better than products he can buy off the shelf for a lot less money.
I'll put Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra up against your oils any day for everyday use and 10000 mile oci's. Just one mans educated opinion.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: chad8
Originally Posted By: Pablo
I don't know how someone would consider Amsoil in general as overkill for a daily driver. 90%+ of Amsoil gasoline engine motor oil is for "daily drivers". Here's a couple low cost suggestions:

Amsoil OE 5w30

Amsoil XL 5w30


yes ,I know you are a dealer who makes a multi level profit off amsoil. Do you think that 5 quarts @ $30 plus shipping is a value considering that we can buy Pennzoil platinum or Mobil 1 for under $20 and with rebates sometimes as low as $10 ? I have used some amsoil products and they are decent , but not much better than products he can buy off the shelf for a lot less money.
I'll put Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra up against your oils any day for everyday use and 10000 mile oci's. Just one mans educated opinion.


Those are fine oils, and I'm pretty sure the people selling M1 and PP make retail profit as well, so I'm not sure what that has to do with it. If we are talking sales and "ifs" - I doubt many people are buying 5 quarts of M1 for $10, but 5 quarts of OE can be had for about $20.

 

[chad8]

O.k. lets talk about free.

Case of Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil

Shop Now!
$0
after rebate
From any merchant, buy a Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil 1-Quart 12-Pack for $50 or less and get it for $0 after this mail-in rebate. That's the best deal we've seen on this oil since last May. Rebate ends May 31,2011. You'll need to provide your contact information as well as information about your vehicle in order to access the rebate form.

You tell me where you can get amsoil for $4 a quart shipped?
I don't think so...
Not that o.e. stuff. That is right up there with supertech.
Pablo , you are a good site sponsor , but your products do not have the cachet they used to. You have been equaled and surpassed by almost every major oil company.
Plus , I still do not approve of your marketing/ sales/ profit structure.
You may as well be selling amway. Independent dealers !
Who are we kidding.

Brand: Valvoline

Posted 1 week ago
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[Pablo]

I think you have strayed from the topic at hand. VR1 Racing oil? Wow, OK........

I think actually the opposite, not many have products equal to Amsoil's Sig series and Amsoil is nearly equal to standard "synthetic oils" on price point with the OE line, and the XL line is simply superior to OTS oils for the price. I think Amsoil has plenty of "cachet". I'm done with the discussion here. I made my recommendation as have you. Let's just leave it at that.

 

[steve20]

agreed- Amsoil makes some good products-I have them in my 6spd trans and diff.

IMO For a K24, Amsoil is overkill.
My DD K-24 has done fine on Pennzoil Conventional 5w30 / Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 mix

 

[bchaney]

Thanks for the help guys - looks like I'm gonna go with PP because of all the good things and used oil analysis I've read. I might work in some PU changes (once every 5?) if I start seeing some positive used oil analysis of that, if only for the enhanced cleaning ability.

I will prob stick to dino for the first 1-2k on this engine, then switch to PP for the next 5k. I will be sending in my second PP change for UOA, so look out for that.