I have a 1990 Thunderbird Super Coupe that just rolled over to 100,000 miles a few weeks ago. It is a supercharged Ford 3.8L V6, running 15 PSI boost. I'll be due for an oil change in a few weeks, I'm currently debating between Maxlife Synthetic 5W-30 and Penzoil Platinum 5W-30. Price isn't really a big deal to me because synthetic is only 6 more dollars for 5 quarts than regular oil and 3000 miles will take me at least 4 months. I drive 9 miles to work each way, most of which is rural and highway. I occasionally take the car up to the drag strip making WOT 1/4 mile runs, which the car is running pretty hot. Recommendations are wanted! Thanks.
Oil Suggestions for 1990 Thunderbird Super Coupe
- Thread starter lanteau
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I'm not really a big fan of Mobil 1. In many UOA the Iron always seems pretty high with M1, doesn't seem like coincidence to me. I really feel that M1 is very overrated, and is very expensive. Also, I don't believe head gasket failure is from abuse, they have notoriously bad head gaskets, my car is almost mint and has had one replaced. The stock exhaust doesn't flow well enough so all the boost seems to speed up the failure. But anyways, back to oil.
Originally Posted By: Jason2007
I had an 89 Tbird SC and it made it well over 150k soley on M1 10w30. Only reason it didnt go further is new owner abused it and blew the headgasket.
The 3.8's were known head gasket eaters.
Dad popped one in his 88 Thunderbird 3.8
Anyways, I'd run Maxlife Synthetic 5W-30 if it was my car.
I had an 89 Tbird SC and it made it well over 150k soley on M1 10w30. Only reason it didnt go further is new owner abused it and blew the headgasket.
The 3.8's were known head gasket eaters.
Dad popped one in his 88 Thunderbird 3.8
Anyways, I'd run Maxlife Synthetic 5W-30 if it was my car.
I'd go with Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 or Valvoline SynPower 5W-30, or Valvoline Maxlife synthetic 5W-30.
If you can find the Maxlife synthetic in 5 quart jugs at Walmart, buy it. If not, flip a coin to choose between the other two.
Originally Posted By: lanteau
I'm not really a big fan of Mobil 1. In many UOA the Iron always seems pretty high with M1, doesn't seem like coincidence to me. I really feel that M1 is very overrated, and is very expensive. Also, I don't believe head gasket failure is from abuse, they have notoriously bad head gaskets, my car is almost mint and has had one replaced. The stock exhaust doesn't flow well enough so all the boost seems to speed up the failure. But anyways, back to oil.
I'd use PP 5W30 in that car, I'm not a Mobil 1 fan either. The PP will serve you well.
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I'm not really a big fan of Mobil 1. In many UOA the Iron always seems pretty high with M1, doesn't seem like coincidence to me. I really feel that M1 is very overrated, and is very expensive. Also, I don't believe head gasket failure is from abuse, they have notoriously bad head gaskets, my car is almost mint and has had one replaced. The stock exhaust doesn't flow well enough so all the boost seems to speed up the failure. But anyways, back to oil.
I'd use PP 5W30 in that car, I'm not a Mobil 1 fan either. The PP will serve you well.
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dnewton3
Staff member
I'd buy whichever of the ones you've proposed that is on sale at the time, because with 3k mile OCI's, it won't make any difference ...
I also have the 3.8L, and i my self use Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30, and a FL-400S filter. I have a little over 100K, and just switched over to syn at 96K miles, I have NO real oil usage, (1/2 QT over 4K miles), I'm gonna keep it on syn for here on out.. 5K oil changes.
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