A couple of questions about the cars that had problems with synthetic oil? Do you know what weight you were using. Also, how often were you changing it? Some people think that just because they use synthetic that they can go for long periods without changing it. It will last longer without breaking down, but I would still change it about every 3000 miles because you dont know what kind of crap will get in there. Synthetic doesnt keep stuff from getting in, it just doesnt break down as quick and cause problems its self.

Ben

 

We all changed it pretty regularly. I would try to change mine every 3000 miles, never after 4000. We used 5W-30 and 10W-30.

 

go over the lt1 thread and see how many guys use mobil syn

 

Well Hawk I have used mob 1 syn for years and have never had a problem, but my oil is changed every 1300-1500 miles(My motor). Put some normal oil in a pan take a tourch heat is up see what happens. Now do this with synthetic oil. Your mechanic is a idiot. The only time i would not use syn oil is on a new motor or one thats very old and a slug. Worn bearings on a 350 at 29000miles sounds like other problems beside the oil you used. How tight was the blower belt? My ATI book said to use syn oil. Why would that be?

 

Whooaaa, guys. I`m not saying for sure that the oil was the culprit.
The thing is, when I was at 28,500 miles, I would have said the same thing. There was nothing to tell me that the bearings were wearing much faster than normal.

 

My friend Bob has built hundreds of race engines over the last 40 years. He (and a lot of the "old guys") prefers "dino oil" over synthetic for race motors. Of course, frequent changes are assumed. I have been using 15W-50 Mobil 1 and see a lot of potential advantages of a synthetic in a street or street/strip car. Bob is still trying to get me to switch. I do think that the typical 5 or 10W-30, while fine for street use, is too thin for an engine that's regularly pushed to its' limits. I like the idea of a thick oil film as insurance agianst metal to metal contact and am willing to give up a few hp for that.

Rich Krause

 

Ok, so I've been looking around the message board and reading what you guys have been saying! I gather that I could go Super Charged with 4.5 to 6lbs and be safe but should potentially expect a rebuild in the future! With the mods I have (see sig.) I assume I would see about 80rwhp with the 4.5 and a little over 100 with the 6lbs. This would non-intercooled! Am I correct on this?
What are you thoughts on this?

 

Sounds about right. You will need a good exhaust system to see the gains as stated.

Rich Krause

 

anyone have any thoughts on using 20w-50? That's what my engine builder told me to use.

 

You guys are scaring me!! I just found out today that I will be getting a Vortech S-Trim. I am planning on running only like 5 pds b/c I have a STOCK motor with 85k on it. But I have heard of people lasting with fairly low boost. I hope so...I don't have a ton of money to fix stuff . I'm gonna get a used Crane ignition (with timing retard) and a better fuel pump. But I was told stock injectors are ok will pretty low boost. What do you think...if I don't constantly rag it will I be ok for a while???

 

Im using 15w50 on my ATI blown camaro with 153,000 miles on it,9psi pulley 2core intercooled(front mounted)

 

Hum... I currently own 2 vehicles with over 140K miles, one with 96, and then a few lower mileage, all of which get regular mobil1. FWIW, I've never had an oil related engine failure, I've never even seen a bad bearing in one of my own engines...

 

In our prototype car, I am running around 7-8 on 93 and 12 on a mix of 101 unleaded and 110 leaded. 2/3 ratio respectively. I run Mobil1 full synthetic on it changed every 3k. I have been running autolight 104s and I'm swapping to 103s to test with. It's been on the car sinse August, has had about 175 passes and 10,000 miles. I drive it 120 miles one way to without a worry.