Preferred oil for GM LS3 engine

[cb4017]

In the not too distant future my 08 Jeep Wrangler will be getting an LS engine conversion. It will most likely be a 5.3L LMG engine from a 2010-2014 Tahoe/Yukon.

I know very little about GM engines. I found that it should get a Dexos 1 rated 5w30 oil but I'm wondering if these engines show a preference for any particular brand of oil.

Thanks!

 

[RooflessVW]

There's a user getting great results with Mobil 1 0W-40 in his Corvette.

 

[FCD]

+1 on the Mobil 1 0W40.

 

[SteveSRT8]

It's an engine family that simply is not hard on oil.

I also like Mobil 1 0W-40 but almost any quality oil will run an LS to nearly infinite mileage. The state of your tune will have a lot to say about things as far as oil life goes....

 

[Neil_A]

+1 for 0w40 just Castrol Edge from Europe.

 

[BobsArmory]

I have used 0w-30, 5w30, 10w30 and 0w-40 in mine (stock engine) with no difference noticeable. Currently running Castrol 0w-40 that I got for $2 per quart last fall.

In the end, what SteveSRT8 says above sums it up pretty well.

 

[steve20]

Agree with above
If you are dropping a used engine in the Jeep-be aware some of these engines may not have fared so well with Active Fuel Management--
Steve

 

[RedOakRanch]

My older LS seems to like the heavier oil now. On the lighter 30 grades I would get the piston slap/tick in the am. BC 0w30 has worked great but I would think the popular 0w40's would be very similar.

 

[Chris142]

My wifes 04 tahoe gets whatever is on sale. Before we met she would reset the oil change monitor without changing the oil and motor on...she had no clue. She just didnt like the words scrolling across the dash.

Thing still runs fine.

 

[Bob570]

+1 for Mobil 1 0w40

I use it in my LS1 and it gets absolutely flogged, lots of other people use it in their LS engines as well.

Repeating what another user said, LS engines are easy on oil. My dad's 6.0 in his Silverado ran conventional oil and was changed according to the OLM for 205,000 miles, when he sold it that engine pulled as hard as ever.

 

[cb4017]

Thanks Gents. Guess I won't worry about it too much. The shop owner tells me he is able to typically source engines and transmissions with 30K-40K miles. It will essentially be a stock tune LMG LS3 engine with a 6L80 transmission. I will likely have the AFM disabled.

Just so happens I've been using Mobil 1 0W-40 in the stock Jeep 3.8L engine.

 

[340_Magnum]

I don't see the need for a boutique European-spec oil like everyone else recommends. I would use a Dexos approved oil in 5w30 or what ever viscosity GM recommends. Brand is up to you. If you had a turbocharged Porsche then it would be a different ballgame.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted By: 340_Magnum
I don't see the need for a boutique European-spec oil like everyone else recommends. I would use a Dexos approved oil in 5w30 or what ever viscosity GM recommends. Brand is up to you. If you had a turbocharged Porsche then it would be a different ballgame.

Boutique? Mobil 1 0W-40 is an excellent oil, no more expensive than a fully-synthetic Dexos1, and is PROVEN in high-powered LS engines.

 

[Big_3_Only]

Originally Posted By: cb4017
Thanks Gents. Guess I won't worry about it too much. The shop owner tells me he is able to typically source engines and transmissions with 30K-40K miles. It will essentially be a stock tune LMG LS3 engine with a 6L80 transmission. I will likely have the AFM disabled.

Just so happens I've been using Mobil 1 0W-40 in the stock Jeep 3.8L engine.


You're gonna love that 6.2 LS motor, but definitely get the AFM deleted and the VVT too, if it has it. That's easier to do to the engine while it's out of the vehicle. Both of those things will cause you headaches in the future. I hope that 6L80 holds up for you. I haven't had great luck with them. The 4L60 & 4L80 are as bulletproof as the LS motor.