Changing Oil and Cam Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
Changing Oil and Cam Question - Tick Under Load
Had a cam installed a few months back and now the "change oil soon" message has popped. When cam was installed, the shop used Driven oil designed for ls engines. Performance oil with extra zinc, etc., etc,, that the other more common know name brands have. Question is, will I risk damaging my cam going back to the Mobil 1 oil? Any other issues I should think of? Thanks, Steve
Last edited by 2003RedVette; Apr 29, 2016 at 11:47 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
IMHO I do not see any damage to be done with Mobile 1 oil. I rebuilt my LS1 w/new cam and lifters in May of 2015. I broke the engine in with conventional oil with added ZDDP additive. I ran this oil for 3000 miles and then change over to Mobile 1 5w30.
I think you will be fine.
I think you will be fine.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
IMHO I do not see any damage to be done with Mobile 1 oil. I rebuilt my LS1 w/new cam and lifters in May of 2015. I broke the engine in with conventional oil with added ZDDP additive. I ran this oil for 3000 miles and then change over to Mobile 1 5w30.
I think you will be fine.
I think you will be fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I run the Amsoil Z-Rod oil in mine. It provides protection for the additional forces that result from the aftermarket cam and high valve spring forces required to keep the valve train in control. The viscosity at 100 C is also near the top of the 30W range as opposed to M-1 that is lower. I tend to shoot for oils near the top of the range.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
I run the Amsoil Z-Rod oil in mine. It provides protection for the additional forces that result from the aftermarket cam and high valve spring forces required to keep the valve train in control. The viscosity at 100 C is also near the top of the 30W range as opposed to M-1 that is lower. I tend to shoot for oils near the top of the range.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 399
From: Boise, ID
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Could be lifters going out as well, did you replace them when you did the cam swap? For the record I use Joe Gibbs Driven oil, expensive as hell, but I've never consumed any oil from it and I didn't damage my heads when my oil pump went out and lost oil pressure.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
Yep, the tick was driving me crazy after the cam install, so took it back to have new lifters installed thinking that may be what it was, but tick still remains. It is not a little tick either, IMO, it echoes going down the alley and driving next to curbs, etc. Not the piston slap or the sewing machine sounds either.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
I'm thinking it may be some type of exhaust leak but I'm having hell finding it if it is. I've climbed under it while running, (raised in the air of course) looking for moisture and with a cheap stethoscope from Harbor Freight, and nothing. But here's the thing, it is not as dominant idling or revving the engine from idle, as it is while driving and the drivetrain is under a load.
Side note... when I originally had my headers installed, they left one of the spark plugs loose, and it had a similar tick. Not knowing that at the time, I took it back, shop couldn't find it, nor could they hear it, whatever. I hit the internet, and upon advice from a fellow member, suggested I check the spark plugs. Presto, found one, tick gone! However, It ticked noticeably while idling as well. I have inspected all the spark plugs for the current tick but they're all good.
Side note... when I originally had my headers installed, they left one of the spark plugs loose, and it had a similar tick. Not knowing that at the time, I took it back, shop couldn't find it, nor could they hear it, whatever. I hit the internet, and upon advice from a fellow member, suggested I check the spark plugs. Presto, found one, tick gone! However, It ticked noticeably while idling as well. I have inspected all the spark plugs for the current tick but they're all good.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I would check with the guy who installed the cam and find what works for his customers and why. Why is the key, just because a guy hasn't had a failure, doesn't mean he is on the right track and knows better than the engineers who specified the correct oil and use.
Additive packages change through the years. For my stock 03 the mobil one advice line suggested high milage because the additive package more closely matches the oil from that period and the engine needs that type of anti wear agents. I believe lifters were mentioned in the conversation, it has been awhile.
In a recent posting a fellow member posted the different mobil one oils and the additive percentages. You might use that info from the Mobil site as an over view of what is in the bottle, since many state, correctly , meets all dextros requirements . My car is too old for the modern dextros requirements.
I am considering switching to CAstrol, but need to nail down my facts first. I really don't care what oil I use. I really would care if my engine blew up.
Additive packages change through the years. For my stock 03 the mobil one advice line suggested high milage because the additive package more closely matches the oil from that period and the engine needs that type of anti wear agents. I believe lifters were mentioned in the conversation, it has been awhile.
In a recent posting a fellow member posted the different mobil one oils and the additive percentages. You might use that info from the Mobil site as an over view of what is in the bottle, since many state, correctly , meets all dextros requirements . My car is too old for the modern dextros requirements.
I am considering switching to CAstrol, but need to nail down my facts first. I really don't care what oil I use. I really would care if my engine blew up.