Oil is oil...
02-21-2017, 09:36 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Oil is oil...
Greetings all..!
I'm the proud owner of a 1999 (standard) C5 convertible that is now due for an oil change. It was serviced by a dealer before my purchase. My question is...what type of oil should I use. Standard multi grade or a synthetic grade? I think the previous owner has 5W30 in it. Is there a problem...or recommendation to switch to synthetic?
John Thompson
(jetladd)
I'm the proud owner of a 1999 (standard) C5 convertible that is now due for an oil change. It was serviced by a dealer before my purchase. My question is...what type of oil should I use. Standard multi grade or a synthetic grade? I think the previous owner has 5W30 in it. Is there a problem...or recommendation to switch to synthetic?
John Thompson
(jetladd)
Popular Reply
02-22-2017, 07:20 AM
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Oil is NOT oil
the basic sub formula is either petro based or vegetable based, or synthetic. but that only part of the oil formula... the most important part of a can of oil, is the additive package.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things. Including the development of this car from a clean sheet of paper back in 1995.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things. Including the development of this car from a clean sheet of paper back in 1995.
02-22-2017, 06:50 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
Okay I'll throw my two cents in first. It more than likely has 5-30 synthetic oil in it now so stick with that and you'll be fine. Pick your own favorite top tier oil. I have a 99 C5 vert also with 129,000 miles on it and use Valvoline synthetic 5-30 and it works great.
02-22-2017, 07:20 AM
#3
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Oil is NOT oil
the basic sub formula is either petro based or vegetable based, or synthetic. but that only part of the oil formula... the most important part of a can of oil, is the additive package.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things. Including the development of this car from a clean sheet of paper back in 1995.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things. Including the development of this car from a clean sheet of paper back in 1995.
The following 10 users liked this post by Evil-Twin:
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02-22-2017, 08:21 AM
#5
Instructor
the basic sub formula is either petro based or vegetable based, or synthetic. but that only part of the oil formula... the most important part of a can of oil, is the additive package.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
John
02-22-2017, 10:16 AM
#8
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
All the guys who follow me on this forum with 300,000 mile and 400,000 mile C5's and keep in contact in PM all use Mobile 1 and an ACDelco filter. and follow the OLM.The same as I do. None of these guys have deviated from the factory engine internals. . I saw this motor tested and certified to 200,000 miles. First production motor to be benchmarked at 200,000 miles in the world. In other words, was tested to 200,000 miles under all types of conditions.Measured and found all critical specs to be within factory tolerances. The previous benchmark in the industry was 100,000 miles. In the 70's the bench mark was 60,000 miles.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things.
Bill
I know a few things because I have seen a few things.
Bill
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ArmchairArchitect (02-22-2017)
02-22-2017, 10:17 AM
#9
Instructor
Greetings all..!
I'm the proud owner of a 1999 (standard) C5 convertible that is now due for an oil change. It was serviced by a dealer before my purchase. My question is...what type of oil should I use. Standard multi grade or a synthetic grade? I think the previous owner has 5W30 in it. Is there a problem...or recommendation to switch to synthetic?
John Thompson
(jetladd)
I'm the proud owner of a 1999 (standard) C5 convertible that is now due for an oil change. It was serviced by a dealer before my purchase. My question is...what type of oil should I use. Standard multi grade or a synthetic grade? I think the previous owner has 5W30 in it. Is there a problem...or recommendation to switch to synthetic?
John Thompson
(jetladd)
I have friends who run Royal Purple and Mobil 1 and I'm personally using Motul X-Clean 5w30 full synthetic right now. I wouldn't recommend any non full synthetic. If this is your first sports car, get used to the idea that it's very unhealthy to not use your car's "muscles". Performance motors need to be driven hard to maintain good functionality over-time, and that's another reason why you want to use very high quality oil!
02-22-2017, 10:26 AM
#10
Safety Car
All the guys who follow me on this forum with 300,000 mile and 400,000 mile C5's and keep in contact in PM all use Mobile 1 and an ACDelco filter. and follow the OLM.The same as I do. None of these guys have deviated from the factory engine internals. . I saw this motor tested and certified to 200,000 miles. First production motor to be benchmarked at 200,000 miles in the world. In other words, was tested to 200,000 miles under all types of conditions.Measured and found all critical specs to be within factory tolerances. The previous benchmark in the industry was 100,000 miles. In the 70's the bench mark was 60,000 miles.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things.
Bill
I know a few things because I have seen a few things.
Bill
Do you have any information about this?
02-22-2017, 10:30 AM
#11
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I've had three C5s and in each of them I have always used Mobil 1 5W30 full synthetic oil and an AC Delco filter. There are other oils and filters out there to choose from and will do the job, it's just my personal preference and it has worked out very well for me.
02-22-2017, 10:49 AM
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02-22-2017, 11:45 AM
#13
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Listen to Evil Twin.
I only use Mobil 1 5W30 full synthetic oil and an AC Delco UPF44 filter.
I only use Mobil 1 5W30 full synthetic oil and an AC Delco UPF44 filter.
02-22-2017, 11:46 AM
#14
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Geez,
not sure about the rest of you good folks, but my oil filler cap tells me exactly the oil to use. Hmmmm.
David
PS: ET is right on the mark. I do have headers and I notice the normally, for mine, loud valve noise seems amplified. Who cares, as the exhaust drowns em out.
I have used Mobil 1 since 1980 and every engine invasion showed super clean oil galleys and drain areas. Never a failure even at high, hard mileage. My bro has one of my former Corvettes, a C4 at that, with 285K on it going real quiet and strong. Good enough for me.
David
PS: ET is right on the mark. I do have headers and I notice the normally, for mine, loud valve noise seems amplified. Who cares, as the exhaust drowns em out.
I have used Mobil 1 since 1980 and every engine invasion showed super clean oil galleys and drain areas. Never a failure even at high, hard mileage. My bro has one of my former Corvettes, a C4 at that, with 285K on it going real quiet and strong. Good enough for me.
02-22-2017, 12:13 PM
#15
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Many things become slightly skewed when run through the lips of many uninformed people. Lots of Urban legend found here. Although the sustained red line test is part of the engine certification. my involvement was 20 years ago and the LS1 did a red line sustained test... I'm fairly sure it was 80 hours. I'm positive it did 80 hours in the wind tunnel. The motor, when treated properly, is extremely reliable. Its so reliable that its a great platform for modification.. but you wont see the longevity designed in with modification, like anything you can build a reliable anything if you have a reliable foundation.
02-22-2017, 06:39 PM
#16
Navigator
Thread Starter
the basic sub formula is either petro based or vegetable based, or synthetic. but that only part of the oil formula... the most important part of a can of oil, is the additive package.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things. Including the development of this car from a clean sheet of paper back in 1995.
The C5 is very specific yes its an LSX based engine , but the engine in a Y body is different than the LSX engine in an F body.
Since a Y body LSX is designed to run hotter, and drink its cooling air from the bottom of the car ( a bottom breather ) heat transfer is much more difficult. Its very important to have the specific heat exchange additive in the oil. A C5 can normally operate in themps running normally in the 190*F to 219 * F range and as much as 250F on the track.
Since a C5 draws its air from 6 inches off the ground, where the road surface temp of a black top highway can exceed 140*F there is very little heat transfer, and requires an oil package that is up to the task of helping with heat. Synthetic is a must.. But you can use any oil you want.. the car wont blow up,, But your choice of correct oil is the difference between having a 150,000 mile motor and a 400,000 mile motor.
I know a few things because I have seen a few things. Including the development of this car from a clean sheet of paper back in 1995.
Your explanation was just what I needed! Thank's to you and the Corvette forum members for the support!
John
(jetladd)
02-22-2017, 06:51 PM
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I will admit, I don't miss the mess those old cans and spouts made.
BTW - 60 years in IL, never heard of Ladd. Welcome aboard John!
Now if you would have said Streator!
BTW - 60 years in IL, never heard of Ladd. Welcome aboard John!
Now if you would have said Streator!
Last edited by Jeff T.; 02-22-2017 at 06:53 PM.
02-22-2017, 11:21 PM
#20
not sure about the rest of you good folks, but my oil filler cap tells me exactly the oil to use. Hmmmm.
David
PS: ET is right on the mark. I do have headers and I notice the normally, for mine, loud valve noise seems amplified. Who cares, as the exhaust drowns em out.
I have used Mobil 1 since 1980 and every engine invasion showed super clean oil galleys and drain areas. Never a failure even at high, hard mileage. My bro has one of my former Corvettes, a C4 at that, with 285K on it going real quiet and strong. Good enough for me.
David
PS: ET is right on the mark. I do have headers and I notice the normally, for mine, loud valve noise seems amplified. Who cares, as the exhaust drowns em out.
I have used Mobil 1 since 1980 and every engine invasion showed super clean oil galleys and drain areas. Never a failure even at high, hard mileage. My bro has one of my former Corvettes, a C4 at that, with 285K on it going real quiet and strong. Good enough for me.
