Valvoline Restore and Protect in a 3800 v6?
- Thread starter easym
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- Jul 22, 2023
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Sure. Let us know what happens.
I can't see how it would hurt anything, but what do you use now?
I use oils that are on sale, last three oil changes where pennzoil platinum, Quaker blend and castrol high mileage synthetic oil.
Maybe you should hold off until the break-in period is over....
You may have to wait awhile for this one to go on sale. The jury is still out. M1 and Penzoil have the market share and marketing muscle. Valvoline appears to have been targeting niche markets although this appears to be a push into the mainstream. Thus far there is only one UOA posted here. Personally I would like to see more data.
There is nothing wrong with Valvoline Restore and Protect, but there are other oils that cost much less. Napa's sale just ended yesterday, when they had Napa Synthetic for 4.49/qt (or 4/79/qt for HM). Napa oil is Valvoline.
Any synthetic HM 5w30 will be good for the OCI suggested by the OLM
Any synthetic HM 5w30 will be good for the OCI suggested by the OLM
If the car has lacked for regular oil changes, then, Restore and Protect might help clean up the engine internals if used over a long period of time. If you mainly want to do something that will extend the life of your car, it's just as important to change the coolant every 50K miles or so and change the transmission fluid at least that often, too. Keeping decent tires and brakes on it will help keep you out of accidents.
They really don't. I've been behind the wheel of plenty of engines, but there's nothing like the 3800 V6 (series 2/3). If there's any car I've owned that I'd like back, it's the one powered by a L67 3800 V6.
OP: that motor doesn't need anything but clean oil changed every 4-7K, depending on how you use it. Spend the $35 on a UOA if you need reassurance. Pay closer attention to the failure points on the 3800 which are mostly coolant related.
I mean it won't hurt it, but any true 'restorative' properties of that oil is doubtful.
Patman
Staff member
It’s too bad that GM didn’t put them into the Fiero back in the day. I understand it’s a popular engine swap for them over the years though.
Now that would have been cool. A torquey six with an additional liter of displacement over the top engine they offered
Really no reason not to if that's what your wanting to use. They run well on just about anything. You would be hard pressed to spot a difference between most oils in spec at the end of an OCI.
If you think it has something to offer you than go for it, not like your really losing out on anything by doing so.
If you think it has something to offer you than go for it, not like your really losing out on anything by doing so.
Used a lot by GM Holden in Australia too. They spec’d 15W40 over here.
Tightening emissions requirements, I believe.
Patman
Staff member
I had a 97 GTP with the supercharged 3800 and it was a fun car! I had a smaller blower pulley on it and I replaced the restrictive air box with a cone filter and it ran 13.7s at 100 mph in the 1/4 mile. Still got decent MPG too.
The 3800’s are such good engines!! Easily reaching over 200k on Chevron Supreme before it was syn blend.