Amsoil European Full-SAPS 5W-40 Application

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Hi everyone, long time lurker - first time poster.

I'm changing the oil on my 2005 Subaru Legacy GT. I bought the car last November with ~65k miles. It's stage 2 with 300whp on an OEM turbo. Owner was running M1 0w-50 racing oil, I replaced it in late November with RP 5w-30 cause there was an great deal on it at Pep Boys. I've heard of people running German Castrol in their turbo Subarus so I was wondering if the same concept could apply to the Amsoil version?

From what I've heard SAPS is essentially a measure of the protection of the emission systems on the car based on the metallic anti-wear additives. My car has no catalytic converters so I figured I could run full SAPS to get the maximum add pack possible. I saw that Amsoil recently came out with a full SAPS 5w-40 and wanted give it a try. I finally broke down and got a case of 12 with 2 Amsoil filters instead of the 5w-30 Signature Series. (The 12 quarts and 2 filters were cheaper than just the 12 pack of the SS alone!!)

Does anybody see possible problems running this oil in a modified non-Euro car, granted there is no emission system on it? I will be getting a pre OA and post OA at about 3500 miles since this oil is so new to the market. I'm interested to get your guys opinion...
 
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You should have no problem with EFM 5W-40. Amsoil hit a sweet spot with this oil, and I sell it pretty fast. It's what everybody thought AFL 5W-40 was over the years - a stout street car 5W-40, when in reality AFL, although called mid SAPS (and is) would be not MY recommendation for your engine.

The question will be - what length of OCI? It's not designed to be a long drain oil. Hmmmm.....we shall see.

Where did you buy your EFM 5W-40?

EFM 5W-40 LINK
 
Sounds ok. Their best 30 grade is the HDEO 5W-30 HDD. Seriously stout oil. Save signature series for non-modified grocery getters with catalyst. Other options might be their racing 10W-30 or z-rod 10w-30.
 
^+1

The S3k is still their top performer IMO. Killer oil. I'd consider that too. I just looked at the specs of the Amsoil 5w40 and it's ok. On paper doesn't look that impressive compared to the Mobil 1 0w40. You just can't beat M1 0w40. The Amsoil will work very well though too.
 
Welp, just changed out the oil. Maybe a placebo effect, but it seems like the engine quieted down quite a bit. I'm sending off an unused sample of the 5w-40 today and post the stats when I get the results.

Pablo, I got my oil from a dealer that sells to individuals locally. My baby seems to be liking it
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(pardon the mess, first change I have done personally on it)

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I wonder if Amsoil revived the original AFL formulation (ie before Amsoil decided to change the formula to mimick 505.01 performance for the VW Pumpe Duse TDIs)?
 
I would be more inclined to run a 5w40 than a 5w30 in a turbo charged Scoob.

But that is a purely personal preference.

If it was tuned up I would definitely want the extra protection when up to temp.

The 2.5 turbo is factory specced for 5w30, I think A5/B5 or C3(low saps as you mentioned) but A5/B5 is not low saps.

Other viscosities specced are 10w30, 10w40 or 10w50.

Will be interesting to see how this oil performs.

A mates son has just bought another Scoob, a 2011 WRX STi four door, has just over 300bhp, it was registered in last half of 2011 so I suspect in the US it would described as a 2012 Model.

Only done 5k miles and is his weekend toy, his old 2007 Impreza was sold to his dad a few years ago and was the one I was thinking about buying last year, under 20k from new that one.

Don't know what oil he is going to use, I suspect whatever the Subaru dealer specs.

I take it your Legacy is the pearlescent mica blue, Imperial Blue I think?

That was the colour of my '04 Legacy saloon, was stolen in '08.

Wasn't very fast. Not slow but you had to drive it hard if you were in a hurry.

The handling was sublime though.

We never got the 2.5 Turbo petrol, just the 2.0 single cam, 137bhp, 2.0 twincam, around 160bhp.

There was also a 2.5, a 3.0 and a 2.0D, the 2.5 being dropped as was the 137bhp 2.0 after a few years.

Mine was a single cam and was the most economical with the lowest emissions of the range.

You can only get turbos if you import them from Japan.
 
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I got the UOA from the Royal Purple back yesterday...still waiting on the unused OA on the Amsoil. I'm interested to know what you guys think.

Keep in mind, this is my first full interval with me driving so of course I opened her up more than I do now. I also tend to get stuck in rush hour/stop & go traffic alot.
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The first OA interval on the 0w-50 M1 racing oil was unknown so I guesstimated 5k--I might be able to post that as well if it is useful information.

bigjl - My legacy is Regal Blue Pearl, not super common but I like it. Also, this leggy will spin all 4's on a damp road and tach out 5th gear with more power to spare
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I'm thinking about switching to a more robust oil when the weather finally decides to warm up so I'm look for suggestions.

I was thinking about Motul, a different Amsoil formula or possibly switching back to the M1 racing. Open to opinions...

Edit: That Amsoil 5w-30 HDD looks intriguing....
 
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I am a firm believer in running thicker oil in a turbo Scoob, specifically if it is tuned.

Several Subaru specialists in the UK are using 15w50 and 10w50 full synth.

Two long standing names are RogerClarkMotorsport and ScoobyClinic.

If you have a UOA for the M1 0w50 that would be invaluable in assessing how a thicker oil works in this application.

I never had my WRX long enough to tune it and only had the first service done, 600 miles I think it was on the WRX and the Legacy.

I assume yours is a manual?

Since you mention fifth gear.

I was told the 2.5 turbo auto has the same 4speed auto as in my 2.0?

I might be getting my colours mixed up though as Regal Blue rings a bell, not sure were I have for Imperial Blue from.

If you look at it when polished up In bright sunlight can you see little pearlescent mica particles in the paint?

If you get the angle just right it sort of changes colour ever so slightly.

Can't really describe it, it used to look boring at night when dirty, but was a really nice colour on a sunny day when polished.

I had a set of AZEV E's on mine in 17", but 8" wide I stead of the more usual 7" or 7.5".

Gave the tyres a slightly stretched look with 215/45/17 tyres.

I had Nankang NS2's on it and they were surprisingly good for a budget tyre, excellent grip in the wet, lasted a lot better than Toyo Proxes, has T1R's and T1S's on the standard 16" wheels and they were nearly as good, lasted better and were fairly quiet.

I miss my Legacy, I hope the bloke that stole it fell on my £50 Momo gear knob and had to get it removed by a surgeon.

Thanks for opening old wounds I now need to buy another Subaru!!!!!

AWD, nothing else come close.



Except maybe in Thailand!!!!!!!
 
Yes the USDM has the 5EAT automatic...but mine is the 5MT.

That's interesting though - the US didn't get that body style until 2005. It's too bad you guys didn't get the turbo though, it's really fun. It is the same drivetrain (motor, trans, diff, etc) as the 06+ WRX's (the leggy's got it a couple years early).

Not sure if you have a pic of your old leggy but I'd be interested to see the color. Mine is dark blue with some red and bright blue flake in it. But yes, AWD is a very fun thing
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Anyway, here's the M1 UOA:

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I shall try to find some pics of it, it was stolen at the beginning of '08, so might have to look through the old home computer.

It looked good with the AZEV wheels though.

A fairly rare wheel, had them returned in silver which was called extra bright silver, you could really see the silver mica particles in it.

A bit like a gangster suit!

I think only the 3.0 got the 5 speed over here.

The next generation Legacy was a backward step if you ask me.

Looks like an Accord.

Mine was one of the first in the UK, they had a few sent over to be demo cars in early 2004 and I picked mine up in March, it was a special order as it was an auto saloon.

Traded in my WRX for it, I only got the WRX in the January, but I couldn't help myself with the power so traded it in.
 
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Thanks for posting the UOA's, Rotella T6 is the most popular oil on Subie forums! Looking forward to know how 5W40EFM fares in your engine, although my oil of choice for your engine would have been Amsoil 10W40AMO and 5W30HDD.
 
Bluesubie - I'm running open source on the stock ECU running VERY rich on a conservative tune. Right now I'm running Amsoil EFM 5w-40 with Amsoil filter. The car has the K&N Typhoon intake so I'm running a K&N cone filter.

bigjl - I agree, the new Legacys look like friggin' boats!
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ibrahim - I was back and forth between the T6 and this Amsoil but decided to take the path less traveled to see where it would take me. Both of those Amsoils look solid - I might consider the 10w-40 for the summer. I was just told by the previous owner that boxer needs a thinner cold weight oil so all the necessary seals/gaskets can be lubed as soon as possible. Whether this is true I don't know...

VERY interesting find on the virgin OA of the Amsoil EFM -- Amsoil claims a TBN of 10.1, but Blackstone's results yielded a TBN of 11.2! Other than that, looks like a pretty solid add pack. Based on this I will likely run the first change up to 5k miles.


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