Wow thanks for all the replies. I think I'll look in to VR1 10w30 and Edge 0w40 some more. 5qt of Edge is only $23!
Originally Posted by SteveG4
Originally Posted by clinebarger
Your Lima 2.3L camshaft doesn't care what oil you run.
Well, there you go, fusseli.
Valvoline VR1 10W-30... 6 qts for $32 and change on amazon.
Yeah that stuff looks really good for the price. I did the same thing and ended up on Amazon before scrolling down lol
Originally Posted by dlundblad
Every oil you've mentioned has been recently changed.
VR1 is a good choice, but it's not for extended use with vehicles with cats. No idea if yours has any. Another good option is either a 10w30 HDEO or 0/5w40 A3/B4.
My cats are long gone, 3" from the turbo to the axle, and I'm lucky enough to be in a smog check free area.
Originally Posted by Trav
The cam in that engine is not really a "flat tappet" the lobe is riding on a slipper that is not subjected anywhere near the forces of a true flat tappet cam lobe. This type of cam does not require very high zinc levels, possibly a little more than a roller or shim on bucket but not the levels normally associated with a flat tappet. 900-1100 ppm is plenty.
Engines requiring higher levels of zinc and phosphorus for cam lobe protection use push rods, rocker arms and lifters riding on a smaller and narrower cam lobe. Because the rocker arm ratio increases the force of the valve spring pressure exponentially and transmits it through the rocker arm to the lifter and cam lobe face the small contact area is subjected to many times the force of they type this engine uses.
Other types of valve/lobe arrangements can be problematic with lobe wear eg single cam lobes operating multiple valves through a fork style slipper but these are not very common in automotive designs. IMO Mobil 1 or Castrol Edge 0w40 would be a good fit for the turbo engine, 1100ppm zinc 1000 IIRC phosphorus and able to handle the heat of the old style non liquid cooled turbo.
Thanks for the clarification. I've heard this engine called a slider cam, that would make sense. I've already heard people not know what slider cam was who said "oh, flat tappet." Turbo is the original Garrett, which is in fact water cooled. I've always tried to run synthetic oil for higher temperature stability.