Oil Viscosity Question for LSX Engine with Mods.

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fnbrowning

Joined
Mar 24, 2005
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Location
Missouri
Engine we will be discussing: GM LS3
Midwestern climate. Total miles driven per year, less than 7000. No driving in inclement weather or during very cold days. No drag racing, but there are frequent high speed excursions!
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Current oil change history: 250mi Mobil 1 5w30, 3000mi Penzoil Platinum 5w30, next change due at 6000mi. Frequent changes due to history of high break-in metals in LSX series as discussed here at BITOG.
After 6000 miles, oil changes will be based on 80% of oil monitor.

Reason for question: Recent installation of 1.8:1 High-Ratio Rocker Arms that incorporate quick-lift technology. The dealer wrote: There will probably be a "sewing machine" type noise with the rocker kit. There are over 500 needle bearings in the rocker set, so a more viscous oil is recommended, like a 5W-40, or a 10w-40.

I’m especially concerned about start-up wear with the oil weights he recommends. I don’t feel comfortable with a 5w or especially 10w-40 oil. From what I read here at BITOG, several of the 0w-30 oils have a higher operating viscosity than their 5w30 brothers.

Recommendation wanted:
Warranty friendly oil with good wear numbers and appropriate viscosity for the 1.8:1 High-Ratio Rocker Arms. Given the dealers opinion, what does the hive mind here at BITOG recommend for a thicker film for the rockers, while controlling wear?

Thank you for your interest!
 
German Castrol 0w30 is an example -- it's a very heavy 30, almost a light 40. It's very stout and can really take a beating.

There are several good 5w40s, too, like Red Line.
 
Not comfortable with a 5W? [first number]
No reason not to be!
0-40 or 5-40 are a good considerations if you want a thicker oil.
So is Lubro Moly additive.
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Not comfortable with a 5W? [first number]
No reason not to be!
0-40 or 5-40 are a good considerations if you want a thicker oil.
So is Lubro Moly additive.


My apologies, I was not clear. Let me restate.
"I am not very comfortable with a 40wt oil, whether the winter weight is 5w-40 or 10w-40."

I don't want to additive the oil. Let's pick the right viscosity oil right out of the gate.
smile.gif


It's the performance dealer that recommended the 40wt oil, I'm not sure he is right!
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
German Castrol 0w30 is an example -- it's a very heavy 30, almost a light 40. It's very stout and can really take a beating.

There are several good 5w40s, too, like Red Line.


Yes dparm, GC is certainly a compelling oil for it's operating viscosity. I'm just a little concerned about some comments here at BITOG regarding startup wear vs. that thicker film.
I'm I reading too much into those startup comments?
 
Originally Posted By: fnbrowning
Originally Posted By: dparm
German Castrol 0w30 is an example -- it's a very heavy 30, almost a light 40. It's very stout and can really take a beating.

There are several good 5w40s, too, like Red Line.


Yes dparm, GC is certainly a compelling oil for it's operating viscosity. I'm just a little concerned about some comments here at BITOG regarding startup wear vs. that thicker film.
I'm I reading too much into those startup comments?


I do think if there was a way to thicken up GC just a touch, you'd be set.
 
Originally Posted By: digitalSniperX1
M1 0w40


+1

M1 0w40 should serve very well in a case like this. Its been exactly what I've been searching for for my older 440s. One's already got a crankcase full in place of my old standby Rotella T6, and its showing lower *startup* oil pressure, and HIGHER hot idle oil pressure. Time will tell if it holds that hot high pressure over time, but for now its doing exactly what I wanted- relieving pointless stress on the oil pump and getting where it needs to go very fast when cold without turning to water when hot.
 
If it were my car I would initially try Ultra 5w30, and do a few UOAs to see if the wear numbers are high or not.

Since the warranty is now not a concern due to the rocker arm change, if I wasn't happy with the numbers from Ultra 5w30, I'd try out Redline 5w30 and if I still wasn't happy then I'd go thicker and try GC 0w30.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
The needle bearing count does not warrant a thicker viscosity oil. This is a zero lash tappet correct?

Yes sir, correct on a zero lash tappet.
 
Originally Posted By: Patman
If it were my car I would initially try Ultra 5w30, and do a few UOAs to see if the wear numbers are high or not.

Since the warranty is now not a concern due to the rocker arm change, if I wasn't happy with the numbers from Ultra 5w30, I'd try out Redline 5w30 and if I still wasn't happy then I'd go thicker and try GC 0w30.


Patman;
Thank you for your reply. My next OCI after this decision will most likely be a year away, and even in fall 2011 I will most likely only see 12,00 total miles on the engine.

I think that we can both agree that total mileage will still be too soon for all the wear numbers to settle down to trends in an LSX engine.

That's why I'm solicitating comments, my engine is still too new, and my OCI's take too many years to easily see trends.

I already use Pennzoil Platinum, so Ultra would be an easy switch.
Redline is a great oil, and would certainly give peace of mind, but at the $$ of twice the cost.
Decisions, decisions!
smile.gif
 
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I wouldn't think that 1.8:1 roller rockers would constitute a need for a heavier oil. If you know who made them, give their tech line a call and see what they say. Don't worry about start up wear either. It wont have any more or less than the stock ones.
 
rollers actually mean less need for lube. Easier on the oil by far.

We have a 600 hp LS series in a hot rod that uses regular 0W-30 weight oil for a 6k mile interval and returns excellent numbers via OA.
 
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
I wouldn't think that 1.8:1 roller rockers would constitute a need for a heavier oil. If you know who made them, give their tech line a call and see what they say. Don't worry about start up wear either. It wont have any more or less than the stock ones.

They are NOS Crane, and Crane went bankrupt. The website is still operating, but I don't trust their tech line any longer as there was a big turnover of the experienced employees.

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
rollers actually mean less need for lube. Easier on the oil by far.

We have a 600 hp LS series in a hot rod that uses regular 0W-30 weight oil for a 6k mile interval and returns excellent numbers via OA.

Conventional oil in an LS1?
 
At any rate I think you'll be fine on most any healthy 30 grade or light 40 grade oil. Rotella T5 10w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 would suit you nicely.
 
Originally Posted By: fnbrowning
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
rollers actually mean less need for lube. Easier on the oil by far.

We have a 600 hp LS series in a hot rod that uses regular 0W-30 weight oil for a 6k mile interval and returns excellent numbers via OA.


Conventional oil in an LS1?


Actually it is not Dino, I am sorry to mislead you. I have lately been running Castrol Syntec but it was raised on Amsoil SSO.

The engine is simply not hard on the oil.
 
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