I've been doing some asking around and reading up on what direction to go with changing to a "better" oil in my TransAm. It's a 95 with a "moderately" built LT1 (makes about 430hp) and has 118k miles. My dad is a mechanic and he is crazy old-school and believes HUGELY in conventional 20w50 oil... I just want to do something better and not so heavy. The engine only has about 25k miles on it since the "rebuild" and currently gets about 1k-2k miles a year put on it. I think I've decided to not worry with any "cleaners" or additives, but I'm worried to make too drastic of a change and/or go with something too light... I've also read some threads on here where people even have specific weights of specific types of oil that are NOT recommended! LOL! Sounds crazy to me, but I'm sure there's plenty of truth to it... I keep thinking I'm going to do a good synthetic blend 10w40 or something along those lines, but I really would like some educated feedback. I feel like an idiot for not really going to a full synthetic or researching all this years ago when I had the engine out of the car... Either way, maybe I'll learn something this time...

 

I am running schaeffers 15-40. Its very good oil for the price. It has a good anti-wear package in it and probably one of the cheapest synthetics. The oil wieght is somewhat predicted by the clearances in the build. Too heavy and too light each have pros and cons. I chose the 15-40 to have a little thicker oil as my pressure was a little lower than I wanted with a 10-30 full synthetic mobil 1. I have heard good things from quite a few people about the schaefers oil. A few engine builders I know that do high builds only use it and the price and availability is good as my local napa store stocks it. I prefer a synthetic as it flows better colder so I feel better with the higher weight in colder weather and the heavier weight gives me just a little thicker in higher temps. Truthfully given change intervals are good not alot of differences in the oils yet some may do better at higher temps, some may have better anti wear package, some may be a little cleaner,some may give longer change interval. From what ive seen and read and heard the brand I am running performs well in most of those areas(some synthetics are rated better at extreme temps) but has good drain intervals and very good anti wear additive package. My favorite is its actually the cheapest synthetic around here and I prefer a 15-40 to a 10-40


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Thanks for the input. I live just outside Charlotte, NC, so there are no crazy extremes with temperature to worry about here and the engine has a low thermostat (hard to remember, but likely a 160). I really feel like I'm leaning toward a 10-30 Dexos blend oil, but nothing definite... I keep thinking I want to do Mobil1, tho, and I'm pretty sure I read that the LT1 is better to use 10-40 if you go that route... I'm probably HUGELY over-complicating this all, but whatever... LOL!

 

German made Castrol 0W30 is the oil that tested out the best for the LT1. This was from actual lab tests. Look around at bobistheoilguy, as something better may have come along.

 

I saw mention of the "German Made Castrol" at one point, but I don't know that anything that specific was said toward the LT1. I tried looking on that bobistheoilguy last night and there was SO much to sort through that I just didn't have time to get into it. Is that Castrol common???

 

Do a "search" on this specific forum..... there was a guy who documented his testing and provided info on the German-made Castrol. If I had to guess, I'd say it was back around 2005.

 

I've read quite a bit on things of the "GC" at this point. Clearly a popular choice, and looks like there's reasonably good feedback on the Pennzoil Platinum as well... I suppose I just wasn't convinced to switch to synthetic, so I'm debating quite a bit here. I do appreciate any/all input from you guys! Thanks!!!

 

Autozone has the Castrol 0W30. Check Autozone's site, and check the circular for your area. When they have a special on it, it will about twenty dollars less than at regular price. Sometimes they have a filter thrown, or you can upgrade to the Mobile 1 filter for a few dollars. I wouldn't use the Fram they usually throw in.

 

I checked today... My local Autozone doesn't have GC 0-30, but there is a good deal on Pennzoil Platinum 10-30 and filter. I think I'm gonna do that... will decide for sure in the next day...

 

I tried the Pennzoil Platinum, based on good reviews I'd seen. Oil pressure was lower than with the Castrol, especially when the engine was warmed up.

PepBoys might have the Castrol. I seem to remember seeing it there.

 

I believe Autozone may be the only place in the USA that carries German Castrol, but I'm not absolutely certain. The bottle will say something like European Formula and Made in Germany.