Just more info for you guys. I do appreciate all the replies!
- I really don't know what kind of oil the fast lube places used. Before visiting BITOG, I knew nothing about oil, and would never even stop by the oil aisle in a store.
- Oil changes at the quick lube places were done every 3,000-5,000 miles. I just followed the sticker they placed on my windshield. In the beginning of the car's life, oil changes were done at Honda.
- The oil used in the sample was from single quart bottles of PYB, rated SM but I did remember that it said it met/exceeded GF-5 specifications. Bottles were purchased around the beginning of October 2010 (Oil change done on 10/15/10). If I remember correctly, the date stamps were probably from a month or two earlier (Aug/Sept??).
- Valve cover and new FelPro valve cover/spark plug tube gaskets were installed two months (~700 miles) before oil sample was taken. Maybe explains the increase in Si?
- Lucas UCL is being used cause I still have half a bottle left (32 oz.) and wanted to see if I noticed an increase in MPG. Chevron Techron Fuel System cleaner was used in back to back fill ups back in Sept. and Oct. 2010.
- K&N was installed new, and there is only one way you can orient the drop in filter (it is not a perfect square and it won't fit upside down). My thinking is that if dust was making its way through the sides of the filter (from a supposed bad seal) I would think I would see more dirt marks around the outer edges of the filter. If you notice in the photo, the majority of the dirt is centered around the center.
