As you all may have read, I decided to do an oil swap from Mobile 1 5W/30 to Valvoline Synpower 5W/30 to see if it could help curb my oil consumption problem (1.5 qts in less than 3000 miles). I have read that quite a few people on LS1.com have done a switch in this manner and have significantly reduced and/or eliminated the oil consumption problem. Also I wanted to see how both oils compared in protection quality etc, so I decided to run both cars in the same mannerism as best I could and have both oil samples tested at Blackstone Laboratories. I sent out my M1 5W/30 sample Monday and got the results today, damn fast service, eh?

I got my BlackStone Laboratories Oil analysis of my oil sample in today. My Mobile 1 5W-30 had 2946 miles on it, no engine breaking, some runs at the strip, but mostly highway driving. This is what they had to say about it:
"LEVI: Universal averages show typical wear metals for an oil from this type engine after a routine oil run. Your oil was in use 2,946 miles, which is a "routine oil run" for the type, yet we found all wear from the engine easily below average and in the correct balance to show all normal mechanical parts inside the engine. Air and oil filtration were functioning perfectly while this oil was in used. This was Mobil 1 5W/30 gas-use engine oil with no gas, moisture or anti-freeze in it. The oil could have stayed in use longer. Nice wearing LS1 Engine." I can provide you all with the Elements in PPM that are listed and their values in comparsion to the averages if you want, but they are all BELOW the averages

The M1 has done a super job as a synthetic oil in my opinion and from this analysis. But I have read where the M1 is a little thinner than most other synthetic oils of the same category thus allowing it to get by the "fluttering" rings easier so I thought an oil of the same category but not as thin may help my oil consumption but I also want good engine protection like M1 has provided me. Let's just see how this Synpower does with oil consumption and protection, bring on the next 3K MILES!
Keep your fingers crossed for me on the oil consumption (that I don't have any more!) :D


[Modified by C5Noir, 11:01 AM 8/24/2001]

 

GREAT info!!! :cool: Thanks for taking the time to post it here!! :seeya

 

I am looking forward to the info. Now just hurry up with those 3,000 miles. Maybe you can try Redline oil after the Valvoline and see how it performs. I'd be willing to pay for the Redline oil. :smash:

 

Viprklr, if you're buying the oil, I'd be glad to give it a run through and oil analysis :D

 

C5Noir: If you believe viscosity is an issue, have you tried Mobil 1 10w30 in warm weather to control oil consumption, since it is an authorized lubricant under the specified conditions? Just curious, since the oil check suggests the M1 is doing its job quite well.

 

C5Noir, you got it!!! :yesnod: Let me know when you are nearing the oil change and I'll send some out. My email is: yooyotis@elp.rr.com :seeya

 

Avanti, yes I have considered that also and I will give it a shot if the Valvoline Synpower doesn't perform (i.e. lower my current 1.5 qt's of oil consumption before 3K miles and protect as BlackStone shows M1 does) as well as the M1 5W/30 and after I try Redline 5W/30 that Viprklr is gonna let me test out (thanks man). I can't recall the specifics of what I read about M1 5W/30 but it was in regards to other synthetic oils of 5W/30. Apparently M1 5W/30 had a thinner film characteristic compared to synthetic oils of similar weight, 5W/30, allowing it to get past the oil rings. This was my reason for switching to Synpower 5W/30, to see if I can run the same weight oil, lower or rid my LS1 of oil consumption and protect the engine just as well (BlackStone will verify this).

Besides, now we will have some substantiated proof as to how well some of the other name brand synthetic oils perform in our motors .


[Modified by C5Noir, 1:33 PM 8/24/2001]