15w 50 oil - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

edram454 · 11-21-2013

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 · 11-21-2013

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 · 11-22-2013

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/a...5%20Engine.pdf

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 · 11-22-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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/a...5%20Engine.pdf

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

LT5/ZR-1 Fluids

RyanChappel · 11-22-2013

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 · 11-22-2013

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 · 11-22-2013

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

csavaglio · 11-22-2013

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 · 11-22-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 11-22-2013

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.

11-21-2013	#1
edram454 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: .. Posts: 693	15w 50 oil 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.

11-21-2013	#2
Schrade Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NC Posts: 1,786	Re: 15w 50 oil 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... __________________ I'm getting my snappics / threads removed blindly as fast as I can, to get in compliance with copyright / license TOS on the boards here (lots of FSM pages and other copyright / license violations on my part; sorry guys). And thanks to all the guys who didn't whine when I posted those FSM copyrighted / licensed stuff in my threads... ( :thumbsup: [b]and to think I complied with a mod's request to delete a pic of him in a Challenge Car in NCM Museum, so he wouldn't get in hot water)[/b] Thanks to several guys here for sending parts FREE; BearlyFlying, WeGone, Geezer, GoldCylon, and more there, TonyD, mike100, fletchusmc... 1990 #2794; 4L60e Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless, Power Effects 3" [IMG]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GHpfzty7DVU/UQn-0Ru2xAI/AAAAAAAAA14/08mz1p4QLD4/s445/Screenshot-5.png[/IMG]

11-22-2013	#3
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: 15w 50 oil 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/a...5%20Engine.pdf 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. __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry

11-22-2013	#5
RyanChappel Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Boone County, Indiana Posts: 132	Have always used Mobil 1 EP.... 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

11-22-2013	#6
edram454 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: .. Posts: 693	Re: 15w 50 oil 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.

11-22-2013	#7
edram454 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: .. Posts: 693	Re: 15w 50 oil wow!! dynomite has a helluva informative post. tons of info. it says it all. thanks again.. DYNOMITE!!!

11-22-2013	#8
csavaglio Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 160	Re: 15w 50 oil 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.

11-22-2013	#10
hiperf406 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spruce Grove Oilberta/In Mex for winter Posts: 1,046	Re: 15w 50 oil 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. __________________ lorne # 1748 Stock except for a modified Corsa exhaust. When the flag drops the bull sh1t stops!