Suggestions on Oil

I know I'm really getting ahead of myself but I'm trying to plan this project down to turning the key for the first time. I have a built 383 and built T-5 ready to go into my 1987 Firebird. The car was broken in on the dyno, then made some runs, and put down 483hp and 453tq.

The engine is a full roller, one peice rear main, high volume oil pump, engine. I'm not sure if any of that matters but I'll throw it out there. It hits peak TQ at 4100rpm and peak HP at 4700rpm. It was broken in with conventional Valvoline but I don't plan on sticking with it. I've ALWAYS ran Pennzoil in my car but with this high performance engine I'll upgrade. I was thinking Pennzoil Platnium (synthetic).

Any input?

[ITSSLOW]

You'd think because I work at a Pennzoil shop I'd suggest Platinum, and you're right! Because we are an oil shop we get little insider tests and stuff in the mail. By a random test that was done a few months ago on 5w-30 synthetic oils they went like this.

1. Amsoil
2. Pennzoil Platinum
3. Mobil 1
4. Valvoline VR-1 (?)
5. Royal Purple
6. Quaker State
7. Kendal Synthetic
8. Wolf's Head Synthetic
9. Castrol Syntec
10. Halvoline Synthetic

*sorry, I forgot what some brands call their synthetic lines*

Mobil 1 is a better oil according to this survey but any synthetic will blow conventional oils out of the water in all catigories. Except price.... You had great luck with Pennzoil, just stick with it.

For the record we sell all of the oils listed. Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, and Castrol Syntec we stock. Just give us a heads up on the others because we will need like 2 days to get them. Just thought I'd say that because I know you've been coming to my work for 21 years now with that car.

[TSTONE]

brad penn

http://www.bradpennracing.com/

[.DetroitKing.]

if u can afford amsoil

if not like suggested mobile 1 or pennz plat

[b.lee]

Anything but Pennzoil

Pennzoil was and still is a nasty oil.
I'm not sure about the Pennzoil platinum, but most likely it's just a marketing gimmick.

[Boost Addict]

Redline

[Orange Terror]

I've taken apart a few SBC engines that seized up or had a knock to them after finding out that they ran Pennzoil or Quaker State. What caused the problem? The wax additive would get hot in the lifter valleys and solidify and clog the oil returns once the clumps got big and vibrated loose.

Sorry Tom, but you couldn't get me to run Pissoil if you bought it and paid me to. Its just my opinion, take it or leave it.

I would recommend Mobil 1, Valvoline (reg & synthetic), Valvoline VR-1, Rotella (reg & synthetic), or Redline.

[Boost Addict]

VR-1 is an excellent break-in oil. It's currently in my car. I will be using Redline when I change next time. And a question for you people- if I don't know my bearing clearences and such, what thickness of oil should I use?

[lozanoa11]

ive never had a problem with castrol synthetic but it was never in a high performance vehical unless you call my 3.8 high performance vehical. i would like to hear your guys imput on it

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

VR-1 is an excellent break-in oil. It's currently in my car. I will be using Redline when I change next time. And a question for you people- if I don't know my bearing clearences and such, what thickness of oil should I use?

5W-30 is safe.

And our ever-popular oil tech article...

http://www.mifbody.com/vbulletin/sho...784#post273784

[Boost Addict]

5w-30? What would that do to my oil pressure?

[Orange Terror]

5W-30 is safe.

And our ever-popular oil tech article...

http://www.mifbody.com/vbulletin/sho...784#post273784

FYI I would just like to add that this mostly pertains to non roller cam aka flat tappet cam engines. Still good info and worth reading.

5w-30? What would that do to my oil pressure?

Likely nothing once up to temp, remember in a multi-viscosity that the "w" number (in this case the "5" in 5w-30) is the winter or cold weight. So if your oil pressure is low now with a 10w-30 once up to temp and you want to raise it you'd have to go to a 10w-40 or 20w-50.

ive never had a problem with castrol synthetic but it was never in a high performance vehicle unless you call my 3.8 high performance vehical. i would like to hear your guys input on it

Never heard of anybody having major problems with it, LS1 guys on tech swear by the German 0W-30.

[Boost Addict]

I have 20w-50 in it now, once I come to at stop at OT, i put it in neutral and its just above the red area.

[Orange Terror]

I have 20w-50 in it now, once I come to at stop at OT, i put it in neutral and its just above the red area.

Do you mean at a stop at idle? Are you using factory gauges?

[Boost Addict]

Yeah, and yes factory gauges. We had checked it before with a mechanical gauge and it was about 20 psi at a stop.