Hey everyone I have a 97 Camaro Z28. I was seeing if it’s okay to swap from conventional oil to full synthetic oil. I usually use the castrol conventional, but I don’t think they sell it anymore. Have any of y’all had any issues with running full synthetic? Thank y’all for the replies.

 

You are absolutely fine to switch to full synthetic. I like Mobil1 personally, but any brand will serve you fine.

Compared to conventional oil, synthetics last longer and offer more consistent performance throughout the oil change interval.

There’s a whole world of complexity you can dive into if you want — the difference between full synthetic and 100% synthetic, and a bunch of other absurdity and minutia you don’t need to worry about if you want to.

The only time you should definitely look into the details is when your engine has a flat-tappet camshaft (not a roller cam). LT1 cams use hydraulic roller lifters, so this isn’t something you need to worry about. If it was, you’d need to look for oil with an additive called ZDDP.

 

Okay, thank y’all for the replies.

 

My cavalier has 128k. The oil pressure switch went out and lost alot of the oil on the way to work. Luckily I work at a body shop, ordered a new switch. All we had at the shop that I could use was synthetic. Thought it would be ok until I could get to a store and buy some conventional later on. Needless to say, the synthetic found every possible way to leave the engine. It was bad. Leaks galore. Puddles and the smell. Went to back to conventional. Hoping the leaks seal back up

 

I went with Castrol synthetic blend. Thank y’all for the replies.

 

castrol conventional oil is readily available. been using it for decades. Walmart or Amazon

 

I disagree about switching to synthetic oil. These engines were not designed for that. I tried Mobile 1 in my 98TA for two years and it resulted with a.lot of oil leakage from the engine seals. I did not believe it was the culprit until I switched back to regular oil and the leaks almost disappeared.
I recently bought a 2001 TA WS6 and the former owner bragged about using Mobile 1!!!. I said..."ooops... I will fix that". It does leak a lot, next oil change will correct it.

 

I quit using Synthetic in all my big vehicles years ago. I will only use Synthetic in my Chevy Sonic and mostly because I only put about 2,000 miles on it a year. Everything else I have gets Rotella 15w 40. My Goldwing's now and all my Bikes before had Rotella Oil. I've also been using it in my Yukon XL 6.0 Denali for 3 plus years (At 115,500 miles now). I have had 5 High Mileage Suburbans (All 5.7Ls) before and they all used Rotella with no issues. Personally I feel that Synthetics are a lot of Hype and used only to run the vehicles longer between Oil changes. I just started on a 95' Z28 LT1 project and that will also be using Rotella. Look how many vehicles from the 60's and 70's are still on the road now. Just my thoughts....

 

You can probably use whatever oil you want as long as your maintenance schedule is appropriate. I use synthetic in my modern vehicles with no issues of any kind.

 

GM filled the Corvette LT1 engines with Mobil 1 synthetic at the factory. The oil fill cap had a Mobil 1 logo on it. They appeared to feel the Corvette engines would be used more aggressively than others, and that plus the more constricted engine compartment would result in higher oil temperatures than in the other GM models. GM still uses Mobil 1 for Corvette factory fills.

 

I started using synthetic when Andy G started selling it (STP) in CA in '69. My '69 Cutlass had about 8k mi at the time. When I sold it in 2021, at 132k mi, the lowest compression cylinder was 96% of factory spec. Not a lot of wear for a car that spent 20 yrs up & down the SF hills (home on Twin Peaks & Telegraph Hill).


ULTIMATE real-world test > Built up my '71 Z for autocross (tho never ran it other than open track @ Sears Point). Moved Z back to Midwest after moving to London, and had it stored for 7 yrs in a brother's new garage. To start up again, brought in moly to lube the cam, but looking at the lobes, even pointy ends up, seemed coated with oil. Touched one, and took away so much oil that I had to stop and wipe it off. That it would adhere this long, thru sub-0 winters, is amazing. Will add that all the original NorCal Z hotshoes used synthetic because of observed lube qualities, and its L24 engine was designed well before synthetic was sold.


Also, all the informed NorCal Z folks used synthetic tranny fluid -- major improvement observable to even Sunday drivers.


No gasket leaks (or any of the other fantasy complaints) on any of my several smallblocks. (vs. the short-lived Arco graphite oil which would come out anywhere)

 

"fantasy complaints"

Really...Interesting. But how is it pertinent to the LT1 forum? Also about the Y car recommendation, I am sure GM has NEVER made a mistake in recommending anything! Are you sure Fred ;-)

All I know is from empirical evidence, real world stuff, not a fantasy world as you imply. My 98 LS1 had a major oil leak that was caused by the Mobile One oil use. Proof --> Start the Mobile One oil use, oil leaks increase...Stop the Mobile One use, the leak is minimized. Cause and effect is evident and not argue-able.
I recently bought a vintage 2001 WS6 LS1 from a private owner who bragged about his recent switch to Mobile One oil. I told him that was a problem that I would fix. Due to other urgent priorities (tropical storms and death in the family), I have not yet switched oil but... I have noticed a major increase of oil deposits on the bell housing and transmission pan, of brown oil (not pink transmission fluid). I asked the prior owner how many miles he did after the oil switch to Mobile One and he said maybe 30 miles! I have done maybe 200 since. I should get to work soon to fix it.
Sometimes ignorant people confuse real issues with fantasies because they are not understanding the facts.

 

If you refer to the L87 engine oil recommendation, that had to do with machining irregularities and not a cause of the oil itself. I'm sure there are engines that have aged seals that may be sensitive to the smaller molecules in synthetic oil, but it is not a blanket theory. My real world case is my wife's 2003 Malibu that I switched to synthetic sometime after 100k miles and there has been no change in leak proclivity. The only time there is a drop of oil on the garage floor is after an oil change when drips from replacing the filter trickle down.

 

I agree, it all has to do with your Maintenance Schedule. And that is one reason I use the Rotella for 3,000 - 4,000 mile oil changes. I feel and see that my engines are cleaner after an oil change because to me , the Rotella pulls out more grit when drained. Just saying....

 

If you don’t maintain it along the way then absolutely you will have leaks galore! But sorry it’s been proven over and over synthetic can not be beat. Everyone is entitled to there opinion but facts speak for themselves and are available if you search for it. So, to each their own, I’ll stick to Mobil 1 or Schaefers.