synthetic or regular oil - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

99tealbeast · 10-24-2012, 09:32 PM

My z28 will need a complete tune up and oil change pretty soon. I want to switch my oil from regular to synthetic but I'm not so sure about switching. My Camaro has 125k has always used regular oil. My question is will synthetic help my z28 even if it has "high milage" because my friends 03 tahoe didn't like the switch from regular to synthetic, the tahoe ran rough and felt sluggish after then he switched back to regular and it ran fine. I want to hear what you think.

ndtguy · 10-25-2012, 12:01 AM

I burn oil as part of my job. I can honestly tell you that if you run a good filter (not fram) and run good regular oil (valvoline 10w30 is what I run), you're going to be fine and don't need to switch to synthetic.

I put 5k miles on my oil before I swap to new oil and filter in all my cars (outside of the camaro because I do it once a year). All of my oil burns look just fine. Just ask my daily driven, 165k+ mile Dodge Stratus.

demonspeed · 10-25-2012, 09:57 AM

I'd second Matt's suggestion to run a good oil filter. I run K&N as it keeps my oil pressure consistent under high RPM use.

I switched to synthetic (Mobil 1 5w30) on my '01 Z28 when it had 90k-something miles. It never seemed to have an issue.

01 SS · 10-30-2012, 12:03 PM

I have a bit of piston slap in my 01 SS and have found that the Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 synthetic works best at keeping the noise down. I've tried regular oil and other synthetics, including Mobil 1, but the Pennzoil works best for me. I have owned this car since new and she has 155,000 kms on her and is still going strong. It recently dyno'd at 325.1 HP and doesn't burn much oil and the oil pressure at temp is strong. I always use Delco or Quake State oil filters.

dmginc · 10-31-2012, 06:03 AM

piston slap is a common issue in LS1's...synthetic oil is the way to go but dont use Royal Purple unless you are seriously racing (hint winters)

james347 · 10-31-2012, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99tealbeast

My z28 will need a complete tune up and oil change pretty soon. I want to switch my oil from regular to synthetic but I'm not so sure about switching. My Camaro has 125k has always used regular oil. My question is will synthetic help my z28 even if it has "high milage" because my friends 03 tahoe didn't like the switch from regular to synthetic, the tahoe ran rough and felt sluggish after then he switched back to regular and it ran fine. I want to hear what you think.

Either one is fine, just change it frequently.

Chrisrp454 · 10-31-2012, 10:27 AM

My 98Z28 is at 249,000 run castrol synthetic 7,000 to 15,000 between changes was a DD for 11years.

ndtguy · 10-31-2012, 12:03 PM

Honestly, the only reason I would run synthetic is for road racing then I would run a 20w50 weight. Reason being, when oil temps reach 250+ degrees, anything less will thin out and not offer enough protection on a stock ls1. If you had an engine built, ask the builder what they recommend.

After burning 10w30 dino oil valvoline vs. 5w30 synthetic castrol and the engine related wear metals were virtually the same on similar mileage.

demonspeed · 10-31-2012, 12:24 PM

Screw it. Just run a sand/water mix.

I hear this will act like a port job

ndtguy · 10-31-2012, 01:40 PM

Only on imports.

demonspeed · 10-31-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndtguy

Only on imports.

These cars came from Canada!

ndtguy · 10-31-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonspeed

These cars came from Canada!

Should have been more specific. Imports, VW/Audi/Honda.

10-24-2012, 09:32 PM	#1
99tealbeast Drives: 1999 Camaro z28 teal Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: bay area Posts: 9	synthetic or regular oil My z28 will need a complete tune up and oil change pretty soon. I want to switch my oil from regular to synthetic but I'm not so sure about switching. My Camaro has 125k has always used regular oil. My question is will synthetic help my z28 even if it has "high milage" because my friends 03 tahoe didn't like the switch from regular to synthetic, the tahoe ran rough and felt sluggish after then he switched back to regular and it ran fine. I want to hear what you think.

10-25-2012, 12:01 AM	#2
ndtguy ^ Me. Things I write ~> Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 325	I burn oil as part of my job. I can honestly tell you that if you run a good filter (not fram) and run good regular oil (valvoline 10w30 is what I run), you're going to be fine and don't need to switch to synthetic. I put 5k miles on my oil before I swap to new oil and filter in all my cars (outside of the camaro because I do it once a year). All of my oil burns look just fine. Just ask my daily driven, 165k+ mile Dodge Stratus. __________________ ndtguy New DD: 2010 Camaro SS L99/A6 - bone stock. Gone but not forgotten... - 2001 Camaro SS m6 - SLP lid, free ram-air mod, poly sway bar bushings/end links, BMR springs and bilsteins. - 1998 Trans Am m6, forged 347, T70;alky-water injection; intercooled, 208/230 .549/.579 121LSA, Moser 12 bolt, 561rwhp/611rwtq.

10-25-2012, 09:57 AM	#3
demonspeed not afraid of the wall Drives: Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,148	I'd second Matt's suggestion to run a good oil filter. I run K&N as it keeps my oil pressure consistent under high RPM use. I switched to synthetic (Mobil 1 5w30) on my '01 Z28 when it had 90k-something miles. It never seemed to have an issue. __________________ 2023 1LE 1SS BCD GCF JF5 MN6 SIA SLN UQT 10/13/22: 1100 Past Camaros: 13 1LE\|02 SS\|01 Z28\|00 SS\|91 1LE\|91 Z28\|89 IROC-Z

10-30-2012, 12:03 PM	#4
01 SS Drives: 2001 Camaro SS, SLP# 110 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 30 View My Garage	I have a bit of piston slap in my 01 SS and have found that the Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 synthetic works best at keeping the noise down. I've tried regular oil and other synthetics, including Mobil 1, but the Pennzoil works best for me. I have owned this car since new and she has 155,000 kms on her and is still going strong. It recently dyno'd at 325.1 HP and doesn't burn much oil and the oil pressure at temp is strong. I always use Delco or Quake State oil filters. __________________ '01 SS, Navy Blue Metallic auto hardtop coupe, neutral leather, SLP factory options CME (Centre Mount Exhaust), SS grille, SS mats, SS dash plaque, SLP#C110 of 144.

10-31-2012, 06:03 AM	#5
dmginc Drives: In Circles Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,433 View My Garage	piston slap is a common issue in LS1's...synthetic oil is the way to go but dont use Royal Purple unless you are seriously racing (hint winters) __________________ CAI Cold Air Intake, BMR Strut Tower Brace, BMR 1.2" Lowering Springs Gen5DIY Fog Lights, Big Worm Third Brake Light/Side Marker Tint (Charcoal) GTS Tail Light Covers, Purple Under Hood Lighting Magnaflow Resonated X-Pipe w/ Muffler Delete Black Plasti Dipped Wheels, Z/28 Spoiler

10-31-2012, 10:27 AM	#7
Chrisrp454 Drives: 2010 ABM 2SS/RS M6, 98Z28 M6 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Granbury, Tx Posts: 1,532 View My Garage	My 98Z28 is at 249,000 run castrol synthetic 7,000 to 15,000 between changes was a DD for 11years. __________________ Always Remember! Rest in Peace Brothers 9/11/2001. And thanks to all those who defend and serve! Ordered 5/23/2009 3400 with TPW of 08/03/09 3800 8/11/2009 Arrived 8/21/2009 2SS/RS/Aqua Blue/Grey Interior

10-31-2012, 12:03 PM	#8
ndtguy ^ Me. Things I write ~> Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 325	Honestly, the only reason I would run synthetic is for road racing then I would run a 20w50 weight. Reason being, when oil temps reach 250+ degrees, anything less will thin out and not offer enough protection on a stock ls1. If you had an engine built, ask the builder what they recommend. After burning 10w30 dino oil valvoline vs. 5w30 synthetic castrol and the engine related wear metals were virtually the same on similar mileage. __________________ ndtguy New DD: 2010 Camaro SS L99/A6 - bone stock. Gone but not forgotten... - 2001 Camaro SS m6 - SLP lid, free ram-air mod, poly sway bar bushings/end links, BMR springs and bilsteins. - 1998 Trans Am m6, forged 347, T70;alky-water injection; intercooled, 208/230 .549/.579 121LSA, Moser 12 bolt, 561rwhp/611rwtq.

10-31-2012, 12:24 PM	#9
demonspeed not afraid of the wall Drives: Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,148	Screw it. Just run a sand/water mix. I hear this will act like a port job __________________ 2023 1LE 1SS BCD GCF JF5 MN6 SIA SLN UQT 10/13/22: 1100 Past Camaros: 13 1LE\|02 SS\|01 Z28\|00 SS\|91 1LE\|91 Z28\|89 IROC-Z

10-31-2012, 01:40 PM	#10
ndtguy ^ Me. Things I write ~> Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 325	Only on imports. __________________ ndtguy New DD: 2010 Camaro SS L99/A6 - bone stock. Gone but not forgotten... - 2001 Camaro SS m6 - SLP lid, free ram-air mod, poly sway bar bushings/end links, BMR springs and bilsteins. - 1998 Trans Am m6, forged 347, T70;alky-water injection; intercooled, 208/230 .549/.579 121LSA, Moser 12 bolt, 561rwhp/611rwtq.