Best oil?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 22
From: Saint Charles MO
you will get alot of varying opinions on this subject, and the archives are full of discussions about engine oil.
The Engineers that designed the engine specified Mobil 1.
You can always spend more for a different brand, but a stock LS engine will go 200-300 K miles or more with Mobil 1.
Let the discussion begin
The Engineers that designed the engine specified Mobil 1.
You can always spend more for a different brand, but a stock LS engine will go 200-300 K miles or more with Mobil 1.
Let the discussion begin
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
i'm not sure it really matters in street driving
in a racing environment high additive high zddp oils are useful but that's a lot more heat and a lot more stress
a friend of mine tore down a honda with 320k he bought new and always fed mobil 1 the other day. head gasket went. anyway, bearings looked great in the bottom end, bores were in good shape and there was very little guide wear. there was some oil burning due to rings which were replaced with a hone but no sludge at all and clean looking aluminum in the engine
320k miles. street car, never raced etc
in a racing environment high additive high zddp oils are useful but that's a lot more heat and a lot more stress
a friend of mine tore down a honda with 320k he bought new and always fed mobil 1 the other day. head gasket went. anyway, bearings looked great in the bottom end, bores were in good shape and there was very little guide wear. there was some oil burning due to rings which were replaced with a hone but no sludge at all and clean looking aluminum in the engine
320k miles. street car, never raced etc
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Everyone has an opinion, here's mine 
Mine is not stock either. EPA has been reducing ZDDP levels in newer oils, so Mobil-1 5W-30 is not the same oil that existed when these cars were built. I am now running Amsoil Z-Rod oil in the car to keep the ZDDP and phosphorous additives to a level that will protect the higher loads in my valve train. I have seen several cars with worn pushrod ends and other failures that to me look to be oil related. I am trying not to join that group.
Mine is not stock either. EPA has been reducing ZDDP levels in newer oils, so Mobil-1 5W-30 is not the same oil that existed when these cars were built. I am now running Amsoil Z-Rod oil in the car to keep the ZDDP and phosphorous additives to a level that will protect the higher loads in my valve train. I have seen several cars with worn pushrod ends and other failures that to me look to be oil related. I am trying not to join that group.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Although this is 
GM recommended oil meeting the GM4718M specification.
They also state that the factory fill is Mobil 1, although they do not specifically recommend it.
Therefore any oil meeting the specification is what they recommended and Mobil 1 is one of those oils. There are many others that meet the spec. also. There are also many synthetic oils that do not meet the specification.
The labeling to state it meets GM4718M required that it be submitted for testing to that specification. There was a cost involved to have it certified, so not all oils were submitted and therefore not labeled as meeting the spec even if they might have passed the testing.
The GM4718M specification has been superceded by the Dexos certifications. They specifications are not the same, however I don't know if an oil passes the Dexos certification if it would also pass the GM4718M spec. Several oils list the Dexos specification but not the GM4718M spec.
In practice, Mobil 1 (and other oils) have changed since our cars were built. I suspect that any of the major brand synthetics would not cause a problem, but if you are trying to follow GM recommendations that came with our cars then find one listing GM4718M in the right viscosity.
GM recommended oil meeting the GM4718M specification.
They also state that the factory fill is Mobil 1, although they do not specifically recommend it.
Therefore any oil meeting the specification is what they recommended and Mobil 1 is one of those oils. There are many others that meet the spec. also. There are also many synthetic oils that do not meet the specification.
The labeling to state it meets GM4718M required that it be submitted for testing to that specification. There was a cost involved to have it certified, so not all oils were submitted and therefore not labeled as meeting the spec even if they might have passed the testing.
The GM4718M specification has been superceded by the Dexos certifications. They specifications are not the same, however I don't know if an oil passes the Dexos certification if it would also pass the GM4718M spec. Several oils list the Dexos specification but not the GM4718M spec.
In practice, Mobil 1 (and other oils) have changed since our cars were built. I suspect that any of the major brand synthetics would not cause a problem, but if you are trying to follow GM recommendations that came with our cars then find one listing GM4718M in the right viscosity.
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Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
AMSOIL Performance Test: A Study of SAE 5w30 Synthetic Motor Oil
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Without trying to start another oil debate, you might find this interesting even if you discount AMSOIL from the results:
AMSOIL Performance Test: A Study of SAE 5w30 Synthetic Motor Oil
AMSOIL Performance Test: A Study of SAE 5w30 Synthetic Motor Oil
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
So many discussions on oil over the years
Mobil 1 is the factory fill. It is readily available at Walmart, Target, Costco, auto parts stores. I've used Mobil 1 in all my cars since 1985 without issue
Mobil 1 is the factory fill. It is readily available at Walmart, Target, Costco, auto parts stores. I've used Mobil 1 in all my cars since 1985 without issue
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Without trying to start another oil debate, you might find this interesting even if you discount AMSOIL from the results:
AMSOIL Performance Test: A Study of SAE 5w30 Synthetic Motor Oil
AMSOIL Performance Test: A Study of SAE 5w30 Synthetic Motor Oil
What's the best way to purchase Amsoil at best possible price. Amsoil's website says this is about $10 per quart.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Aug 6, 2013 at 07:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
What's the best way to purchase Amsoil at best possible price. Amsoil's website says this is about $10 per quart.
Easiest, most cost effective way to get AMSOIL is through me. Drop me a PM with what you'd like and your zip or city/state and I'll let you know the cost to have it shipped to you door. Sell it this way to hundreds of forum members.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
I was in Autozone today and noticed they have the Castrol 0w30 european blend. I know alot of the LS1 guys use this, I assume alot of ppl with LS6 cars do too? I looked on the back of the bottle and it said made in Germany so I assume thats the good stuff.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
Used Oil Analysis Comparison: German Castrol 0w30 vs AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 259
From: Virginia
Somewhat dated now as this was done in 2005, but the oil specs haven't changed much since then. With the help of a fellow forum member, we compared AMSOIL's top tier Series 2000 0w30 (now branded Signature Series vice Series 2000) vs. German Castrol 0w30. Both showed very low wear metals in used oil analysis.
Used Oil Analysis Comparison: German Castrol 0w30 vs AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30
Used Oil Analysis Comparison: German Castrol 0w30 vs AMSOIL Series 2000 0w30
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Everyone has an opinion, here's mine
Mine is not stock either. EPA has been reducing ZDDP levels in newer oils, so Mobil-1 5W-30 is not the same oil that existed when these cars were built. I am now running Amsoil Z-Rod oil in the car to keep the ZDDP and phosphorous additives to a level that will protect the higher loads in my valve train. I have seen several cars with worn pushrod ends and other failures that to me look to be oil related. I am trying not to join that group.
Mine is not stock either. EPA has been reducing ZDDP levels in newer oils, so Mobil-1 5W-30 is not the same oil that existed when these cars were built. I am now running Amsoil Z-Rod oil in the car to keep the ZDDP and phosphorous additives to a level that will protect the higher loads in my valve train. I have seen several cars with worn pushrod ends and other failures that to me look to be oil related. I am trying not to join that group.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 42
From: Pewaukee WI
Am running Amsoil Signature series, 5W30. I have a stock engine, and don't track or race.
Did the endless reading of threads and posts........absolutely endless.
I settled on Amsoil out of personal preference, many good oils out there, can get confusing.
Good luck with your search.
Did the endless reading of threads and posts........absolutely endless.
I settled on Amsoil out of personal preference, many good oils out there, can get confusing.
Good luck with your search.