What oil for C5
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 115
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From: Odenville Alabama
What oil for C5
What oil does the LS1 use?? What came in it from the factory? Is there a better oil for this engine? Car has 67,000 on it but seems a little noisy to me. I have had the car for about two months. I understand valve train noise on these sound like a sewing machine. It does sound like a sewing machine, but the rest of the motor seems noisier than my 350 in my suburban. What do you think??
New C5er. My 350 in my 80 vett don't sound like this also.
New C5er. My 350 in my 80 vett don't sound like this also.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,417
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From: Dyer, IN
What oil does the LS1 use?? What came in it from the factory? Is there a better oil for this engine? Car has 67,000 on it but seems a little noisy to me. I have had the car for about two months. I understand valve train noise on these sound like a sewing machine. It does sound like a sewing machine, but the rest of the motor seems noisier than my 350 in my suburban. What do you think??
New C5er. My 350 in my 80 vett don't sound like this also.
New C5er. My 350 in my 80 vett don't sound like this also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
AMSOIL 10W-30 
When I did my first oil change with Amsoil, the valvetrain noise almost completely went away, the engine runs smoother. you really can hear and feel the difference.
The best synthetic in the business.
When I did my first oil change with Amsoil, the valvetrain noise almost completely went away, the engine runs smoother. you really can hear and feel the difference.
The best synthetic in the business.
Last edited by Sinister-one; Dec 10, 2008 at 09:29 AM.
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic is the factory fill and what I have always used. I don't think you need to get fancier (more expensive) than that.
The LS1's are noisy (piston slap) when cold but shouldn't be noisy warmed up.
The LS1's are noisy (piston slap) when cold but shouldn't be noisy warmed up.
Tech Contributor
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Mt. Pleasant SC
I don't see anything sarcastic in the responses. The oil cap suggestion is a good one since the answer is right there. Also, if you don't have an Owner's Manual, get one and read it. It removes the "backyard mechanic" misinformation aspect from free advice, and it's ground truth at your fingertips.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
lucky131969 even posted a link for a free Owner's Manual download.
That's more than I had when I tried to open the fuel door on my
'01 the first time, without an Owner's Manual.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
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From: Helotes TEXAS
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
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From: King George VA
Oil threads are always a good debate.
The LS1 requires, per the owner's manual, to use an oil meeting GM Standard 4718M. Many synthetics on the market meet this. Mobil 1 is factory fill, but not required. The recommended viscosity is 5w30, but 10w30 is allowed down to 0F. Newer formulations like 0w30 aren't really addressed.
I personally use and recommend AMSOIL in my 02 Z06 (LS6) and my 06 CTS-V daily driver (LS2). These formulations are labeled to meet GM Standard 4178M and are Group IV basestock synthetics (unlike most synthetics on the market which are Group III basestock):
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic 0w30 (stock code SSOQT) (I use this in my CTS-V daily driver)
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30 (stock code ASLQT)
FYI - I use an AMSOIL racing oil in my now dedicated track Z06.
If you are interested, ordering info in my sig.
The LS1 requires, per the owner's manual, to use an oil meeting GM Standard 4718M. Many synthetics on the market meet this. Mobil 1 is factory fill, but not required. The recommended viscosity is 5w30, but 10w30 is allowed down to 0F. Newer formulations like 0w30 aren't really addressed.
I personally use and recommend AMSOIL in my 02 Z06 (LS6) and my 06 CTS-V daily driver (LS2). These formulations are labeled to meet GM Standard 4178M and are Group IV basestock synthetics (unlike most synthetics on the market which are Group III basestock):
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic 0w30 (stock code SSOQT) (I use this in my CTS-V daily driver)
AMSOIL SAE Synthetic 5w30 (stock code ASLQT)
FYI - I use an AMSOIL racing oil in my now dedicated track Z06.
If you are interested, ordering info in my sig.
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
I don't see anything sarcastic in the responses. The oil cap suggestion is a good one since the answer is right there. Also, if you don't have an Owner's Manual, get one and read it. It removes the "backyard mechanic" misinformation aspect from free advice, and it's ground truth at your fingertips.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
me too. I had to ask the gas jocky if he knew where the release was... After a looking in the most common spots I found it. First purchase after the car was an owners manual...:o