Im about to hit 9k and I want to change to synthetic. Ive been using regular Castrol GTX thus far. Should I use Castrol Synthetic or does it really matter? If not, what would be the best brand to use?

 

it does not matter if you go to another synthetic. realistically, redline is the best. mobil 1 is up there as well.

 

If you can find any posts where they took polls on what kind of oil people are using, most people (including myself) are running Mobil 1 Synthetic.

- John

 

You mean switching back to synthetic ... your 2002 came from the factory with Mobile 1 synthetic ...

 

Wow!! I didnt know it came with synthetic. I wish someone had bothered to tell me. I never wouldve stopped using it.

 

No it didn't. Only 'vettes come from the factory with synth. And SLP offered a synth package as an option.

And you can switch at any time. I just switched the 03 GMC 5.3 to Mobil 1 at 6500 miles.

 

Now I'm in a dilemma ... I gotta take your word for it or Scott Settlemire's aka Fbodfather aka Red Planet aka Cheverolet's Camaro Progam Manager ...

 

Well I would never call anyone a liar. But it seems really odd to me that I've been on this board, LS1tech, ls1, and the 4th gen mailing list for 5 years and something as important as this never came to my attention before now. Usually something important happens there's a buzz. I donno??? As far as Scott being GOD? He's human too and can make mistakes. I'd believe the guy that works at the plant actually putting the oil in.

All of this is neither here nor there. Is it OK to change back and forth. Yep.

thanks,

 

Personally, I wouldn't want synth in my engine when it was new. You're better off running dino-oil until it is broken in.

That said, I'm still not sold on synth oil. Unless every HP counts, I wouldn't worrry about any gains from synth. As for a longer lasting engine, I've read an article about a Chevy pickup w/ 1 million miles on the engine that ran dino-oil. I think driving conditions along with the filter and the duration between oil changes plays a larger role in longevity than running synth over dino.

 

I am very different from the post above.. mainly because I am more into technology and believe in progress.
syn oils are better.. no doubt about it..

as for the break in.. dont see that its as much an issue as it was back when.. times change and so do our oils..

Now I do know that the rear end of the 2002 had syn from the factory.. so why wouldnt the rest of the car? it is highly possible.. especially since you arent required to change the oil till 7500 miles. an interval I use.. I dont change prematurely.. I dont really care actually.. not like i used to.. when I was buying high dollar cases of oil and changing it in my porsche every 3000K miles.. and the damn car took 7 quarts! hehe Now I relax and let it actually tell me when to change.. no problems yet.. had the car since last august.. and now I am at 20K miles.. woo hoo!

 

I am more on track with psychocabbage , or at least with his first few statements about synthetic oil.

I think it is better and will make your engine run better.

Now as far as when to change the oil. you really go 7000 miles before you change your oil? I really cant imagine that, i would feel like i wasn't taking care of my Baby. THe MAX i have gone has been 3500 , just do to business.

youre telling me with 20k on your car you are just about to do your 3rd oil change?!wow, I am sorry but i am shocked.

and since when does a porshe deserve to be taken better care of. our LS! should get just as much attention.

 

If I didn't believe in technoloy and progress why would I have sold my 70 SS to get my 00 SS??? I'm just not one to jump on to things just because people claim they are better. Look a saccarine, bet you would have just jumped right on that carcinogen. I've tried synth on an engine and saw no benefits. It lasted as long as another engine that ran dino oil in the same conditions (dirt track). Granted thats hard on any engine.

There are plenty of very high milage engines out there that run dino oil, but they are changed very regularly at 3k miles. I stand by my comment that engine longevity has more to do with driving condition, oil change interval and the filter.

I will say that if you are one to not change your oil at 3k miles, you might as well run synth and get a very good filter. Synth is supposed to have a longer life. I look at that like I look at dexcool's 150k mile life span. I'm not going to let it go that long and I wouldn't let my plugs go 100k miles either. I have a Grand Am that has 112000 miles and runs strong and it runs dino oil. Personally, I wouldn't listen to anyone's advice that lets their car go over 7k miles for an oil change. 20k miles is just a drop in the bucket.

As for break in, I know of no engine builder that breaks an engine in w/ synth.

To be on subject w/ the original post, I'd think 9k miles would be sufficient enough to start running synth if you want.