15w 50 oil

[edram454]

Any one else out there use 15w 50 oil in their 1990 Z. It says on the oil fill cap 10w30 so I wonder if 15w50 would cause any damage to components. A knowledable member said he put 15w50 in his 90 z and it help reduce the puffs of smoke quite a bit. I know the 90's dont have exhaust valve seals so there is some smoke at start up... on deceleration.. etc.. zero at idle. I am thinking of doing this with mine but just want to know if others have tried this. Any info appreciated.

tx edramos.

[Schrade]

Welcome onto the boards there.

I know less about this motor than most here, but I've read elsewhere that this mill is almost bullet-proof.

Unless your hammer stays on the floor, I'm bettin' you won't get any better protection using such a heavyweight oil. And I'm bettin' your fuel mileage will drop, and you'd get heavier deposits in the crankcase breather lines.

Probably wrong, but no better way to get responses about what's right...

[Paul Workman]

Long and multiple cam timing chains, flat tappets...

I never stray too far from what one of our local experts; a ZR-1 specialist recommends.

http://zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles/Modern%20Motor%20Oil%20and%20the%20LT5%20Engine.pd f

AND, here is a list of Marc's articles, very well worth reading (and taking notes!)

http://zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles%20index.htm

FWIW, I use the Amsoil AMO 10W40 as recommended.

[Dynomite]

Long and multiple cam timing chains, flat tappets...

I never stray too far from what one of our local experts; a ZR-1 specialist recommends.

http://zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles/Modern%20Motor%20Oil%20and%20the%20LT5%20Engine.pd f

AND, here is a list of Marc's articles, very well worth reading (and taking notes!)

http://zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/articles%20index.htm

FWIW, I use the Amsoil AMO 10W40 as recommended.

Concur :thumbsup:

LT5/ZR-1 Fluids (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070550)

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/Maintenance%20ZR1/AMSOIL10W-40oil_zps1b85b817.jpg

[RyanChappel]

Previous Owner said all PO's had run the M1EP, so I have stayed with the program.....

What, if any, ramifications to changing now, after 19K miles, to The Haibeck recommended Amsoil 40 product?

TIA

[edram454]

you know many years ago during my drag racing days, i was a amsoil dealer. It is the finest oil period. that is all I used in my prostreeter and many a times my engine builder at the time reported where the amsoil saved a engine. I am no longer a dealer so it is not as easy to get as lets say mobil 1 15w50. There is a Horsepower sales shop where I can order it so I will be doing that. How many quarts.. 9 or 12?? When I received my zr1 last week I checked the oil and it was registering 2 quarts low. the previous owner only used mobil 1 10w30 the 15 years he had it. I feel that oil is too thin without enough viscosity. 10w50 is a nice compromise.

thanks.

edramos.

[edram454]

wow!! dynomite has a helluva informative post. tons of info. it says it all. thanks again.. DYNOMITE!!!

[csavaglio]

If you checked the oil without letting it sit for several hours or more, it's going to read low if it's properly filled since it takes a long time for the oil to drain back to the pain. It's very easy to overfill if you check it too soon.

[Paul Workman]

you know many years ago during my drag racing days, i was a amsoil dealer. It is the finest oil period. that is all I used in my prostreeter and many a times my engine builder at the time reported where the amsoil saved a engine. I am no longer a dealer so it is not as easy to get as lets say mobil 1 15w50. There is a Horsepower sales shop where I can order it so I will be doing that. How many quarts.. 9 or 12?? When I received my zr1 last week I checked the oil and it was registering 2 quarts low. the previous owner only used mobil 1 10w30 the 15 years he had it. I feel that oil is too thin without enough viscosity. 10w50 is a nice compromise.

thanks.

edramos.

About 10 qt/change, with filter, but check it to top it off, after it has had time to settle.

I just buy it by the case. That way I have a little extra to "play with", and usually get it cheaper by the case than onezee twozees.

[hiperf406]

I just started using Amsoil (VRod) i my 91ZR1 & my 2 other solid lifter cars, seem to be working good. I was a faithful Mobil oil user but the stuff I was using didn't have the proper zinc content whereas Amsoil does.

[Mystic ZR-1]

I wonder why GM said 10w30?

[RICHARD TILL]

Guess i`ve broken all the rules. Been running Castrol 20-50 with a Fram filter since 1998?

[XfireZ51]

I use Castrol GTX 15W-40 Diesel. Every 2k miles w filter.

[carmine]

AMSoil 20w50 ZROD

[FU]

I wonder why GM said 10w30?

They engineered the engine and know a little about it.

[Mystic ZR-1]

They engineered the engine and know a little about it.

I'll bet they do... (or did)

[XfireZ51]

I wonder why GM said 10w30?

Part of it has to do w MPG. Also, don't forget this was synthetic.