This is a bit long, but stay with me, this is background info, a short is at the end.
I have 3 cars, 2 of which have GM LS based engines. The 3rd car, a 2013 ATS I'm not as concerned as it is a lease and has the Cadillac maintenance program (free maintenance for 48 months), so I don't do the oil changes.
The first one I am concerned about is a 2001 Silverado Z71 with the 5.3L LM7 engine and 168K miles, it calls for 6 quarts of 5W-30 oil. The other is a 2008 Corvette Z06 with the 7.0L LS7 engine and 17K miles, it calls for 8 quarts of M1 5W-30.
I bought the truck back in 2005 with 67,500 miles, Since I have owned it I have always put M1 5w-30 oil in at 5000 miles or OLM indicated, whatever came first. I also have long tube headers, exhaust, cold air intake, and dyno tune on the truck. It makes 45 hp over stock to the rear wheels, most modifications have been since 80-100K miles. The truck is my daily driver.
The Z06 I got back in 2010 with 1800 miles and it usually only gets an oil change once a year, It got 2 in 2011 due to a 5500 mile road trip. Otherwise the car is just a weekend toy.
I noticed a noise from my the engine of the truck and I took it in, they told me that I have a worn main or rod bearing making the noise, but it is not terminal at this time. I have a video of the noise I can post if desired. I asked why they thought the engine wore so quickly as many times these engines last for 250-300K without much issue. They said the additional HP placed additional stress on the motor and that M1 probably wasn't cutting it and need to look at a better synthetic.
Right now I am looking at continuing to drive the truck until May or June and at that time I will pick up another daily driver with an LS engine, then the truck will probably be relegated to truck duty when needed, but receive a new heart in the fall in the form of a hopped up LQ9 6.0L.
Right now I buy M1 5W-30 in bulk when it is on sale at Costco, heck I have 18 bottles in my garage. I am looking for an oil I can buy and stock up on and use in the two cars and in whatever I get in the future (probably an LS3, L99 or LSA). I drive my cars hard, the truck sees WOT daily, but I also maintain them religiously. The LS7 is such an extreme motor as it and I am concerned about it, although M1 is spec'd by GM. I am considering swaping to Royal Purple HPS oil for the truck but I can't run that in the Z06 as it still has an extended warranty. So I'd have to run the normal RP synthetic in it, but RP is a huge price increase over M1. Then I have to consider when the truck gets a new motor, it will have a larger cam, re-worked heads and etc.
My question is; is M1 ok for my applications and the truck issue is just a fluke, or do I need to look at a new synthetic for my oil of choice?
I have 3 cars, 2 of which have GM LS based engines. The 3rd car, a 2013 ATS I'm not as concerned as it is a lease and has the Cadillac maintenance program (free maintenance for 48 months), so I don't do the oil changes.
The first one I am concerned about is a 2001 Silverado Z71 with the 5.3L LM7 engine and 168K miles, it calls for 6 quarts of 5W-30 oil. The other is a 2008 Corvette Z06 with the 7.0L LS7 engine and 17K miles, it calls for 8 quarts of M1 5W-30.
I bought the truck back in 2005 with 67,500 miles, Since I have owned it I have always put M1 5w-30 oil in at 5000 miles or OLM indicated, whatever came first. I also have long tube headers, exhaust, cold air intake, and dyno tune on the truck. It makes 45 hp over stock to the rear wheels, most modifications have been since 80-100K miles. The truck is my daily driver.
The Z06 I got back in 2010 with 1800 miles and it usually only gets an oil change once a year, It got 2 in 2011 due to a 5500 mile road trip. Otherwise the car is just a weekend toy.
I noticed a noise from my the engine of the truck and I took it in, they told me that I have a worn main or rod bearing making the noise, but it is not terminal at this time. I have a video of the noise I can post if desired. I asked why they thought the engine wore so quickly as many times these engines last for 250-300K without much issue. They said the additional HP placed additional stress on the motor and that M1 probably wasn't cutting it and need to look at a better synthetic.
Right now I am looking at continuing to drive the truck until May or June and at that time I will pick up another daily driver with an LS engine, then the truck will probably be relegated to truck duty when needed, but receive a new heart in the fall in the form of a hopped up LQ9 6.0L.
Right now I buy M1 5W-30 in bulk when it is on sale at Costco, heck I have 18 bottles in my garage. I am looking for an oil I can buy and stock up on and use in the two cars and in whatever I get in the future (probably an LS3, L99 or LSA). I drive my cars hard, the truck sees WOT daily, but I also maintain them religiously. The LS7 is such an extreme motor as it and I am concerned about it, although M1 is spec'd by GM. I am considering swaping to Royal Purple HPS oil for the truck but I can't run that in the Z06 as it still has an extended warranty. So I'd have to run the normal RP synthetic in it, but RP is a huge price increase over M1. Then I have to consider when the truck gets a new motor, it will have a larger cam, re-worked heads and etc.
My question is; is M1 ok for my applications and the truck issue is just a fluke, or do I need to look at a new synthetic for my oil of choice?
