Oil Change Frequency Question
#1
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Oil Change Frequency Question
LS3 has been upgraded by LPE to 560HP at the crank--all motor. Tech wants an oil change performed every 3,000 miles. Seems excessive since the motor has 11 quarts to draw upon. Plus we all know what Mobil 1 costs.
Given the capacity of the dry sump reservoir, shouldn't I get at least 5,000 miles in between oil changes? Maybe if I used Mobil 1 Extended Performance? Advice welcomed.
Given the capacity of the dry sump reservoir, shouldn't I get at least 5,000 miles in between oil changes? Maybe if I used Mobil 1 Extended Performance? Advice welcomed.
#2
Drifting
High Performance motors are harder on oil than stock engines, depending on what you'r doing with it, If you're racing it on a Track or Drag racing it etc, then yes, change the oil often, or as directed. If your just using it for general street use, then go longer on the intervals. That motor was not cheap, Oil, even 11 qts of M1, is relatively cheap insurance !!! Just my .02c worth !
#3
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I think if I spent that much on a motor and they told me the mileage recommendation for oil changes, I would just accept that as fact and follow that schedule. As mentioned, fresh Mobil 1 and filter every 3000 miles is cheap insurance.
#4
Burning Brakes
Jim
#5
This one is kicked around in here plenty. Unless you are racing the car for about 3000-K out of every 5000-K I would go with the basic change, .....I don't think i'd call changing the oil pre-maturely cheap insurance. Might call it piece of mind. You can ask 1000 different people this one and get 1000 different answers.
#6
Burning Brakes
With all due respect to your engine builder, I think he is being way too conservative. Thirty years ago 3,000 miles would have been the appropriate recommendation. You have a 2015 motor using 2015 motor oil.
My car makes 548 whp and has the Lingenfelter oil tank running Red Line 5W40 oil. I usually do four/five HPDEs a year. After each second HPDE would change oil. Blackstone analysis always recommended extending the change interval by several thousand miles.
My suggestion is, change it iaw the DIC, or at the end of the 12 months, unless you track the car in which case I would change it more frequently and do analysis. Follow the labs recommendation.
This year I only did one HPDE and logged about 5,000 total miles. The DIC indicated 77%. Changed my oil last week. However, failed to request the tech take an oil sample.
Your concern with cost is understandable. One way to keep cost as low as possible is to keep your eye peeled for sales at the retailers that sell motor oil. Couple of weeks ago I bought six quarts of Mobil One including a Mobil One filter for 15 bucks off at the Pep Boys.
Don't recommend Extended Performance because it is formulated for long term intervals up to 15,000 miles. Way beyond any interval us Corvette drivers would contemplate.
Good Luck with your new motor.
My car makes 548 whp and has the Lingenfelter oil tank running Red Line 5W40 oil. I usually do four/five HPDEs a year. After each second HPDE would change oil. Blackstone analysis always recommended extending the change interval by several thousand miles.
My suggestion is, change it iaw the DIC, or at the end of the 12 months, unless you track the car in which case I would change it more frequently and do analysis. Follow the labs recommendation.
This year I only did one HPDE and logged about 5,000 total miles. The DIC indicated 77%. Changed my oil last week. However, failed to request the tech take an oil sample.
Your concern with cost is understandable. One way to keep cost as low as possible is to keep your eye peeled for sales at the retailers that sell motor oil. Couple of weeks ago I bought six quarts of Mobil One including a Mobil One filter for 15 bucks off at the Pep Boys.
Don't recommend Extended Performance because it is formulated for long term intervals up to 15,000 miles. Way beyond any interval us Corvette drivers would contemplate.
Good Luck with your new motor.
Last edited by Larry Myers; 12-22-2015 at 10:27 AM.
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MidWestKev (12-22-2015)
#9
Burning Brakes
Motor oil doesn't really break down, it gets dirty. A good rule of thumb is to pull your dipstick and look at the color of your oil. If it's turning black, change it. It ends up being about three thousand miles anyway in most circumstances.
#10
Drifting
Send your oil in for analysis (because science), then follow their recommendations, OR when the DIC tells you to OR 1 / year. (Whichever comes first)
Last edited by bobeast; 12-21-2015 at 10:06 PM.