mdchaser

I know the manual has a number (9Q? 9.5Q?) but I would swear there were articles a while back talking about reducing the oil down to 8 or 8.5 quarts in the lt4 so it wouldn't burp back and gum up the engine. Any thoughts on the matter? I'm about to switch mine over to amsoil (2017 Z06) so I want to use the least amount possible, stuff is expensive.

Thanks!

Bill Dearborn

Oil fill with the dry sump is 9.8 quarts for the street. For the track GM recommends a half quart over fill taking it to 10.3 quarts. I track my car so fill to 10.3 but I don't take the extra oil out when driving on the street. Haven't had any issues with oil burping anywhere. If people were getting burping they more than likely were accusing the wrong culprit.

Bill

Warp Factor

Oil level in the reservoir isn't as critical in a dry-sump system as it is in an oil pan reservoir. In a dry-sump system with a vertical cylindrical tank (like the Z06), you can probably run the oil level well below registering on the dipstick, without any problems. It's hard to imagine an oil-feed starvation scenario, with the oil feed at the bottom of a tall and narrow 9(?)-quart tank. Sure, 9 quarts in a much longer and wider oil pan reservoir can lead to oil pickup problems under high G loads.

C7/Z06 Man

I have found that 9.5 quarts (.3 low) is the number/amount that keeps all those plastic lines pretty much dry, especially the one the goes to the intake air tube.
I will also say this; if 'your' not having problems at 9.8 quarts then leave it alone for general use like street & drag strip.

Bill

capevettes

9.8 quarts puts mine right at the top of the cross hatch marks (full line) on the dipstick. In the owner's manual under capacities it calls for 9.8 quarts. No leaks, car runs great.

RonC7

The real answer is "as much as it takes" to put the oil level where you want on the dipstick. Just check your oil consistently so you can note any oil usage.

9 qt puts me at the midpoint between add and full on a Z51. 10 qt from dealer put me almost a qt over - they did not drain completely.

Ron

davepl

I go slow and go right to the fill line. You can run more (esp track use) but I find it exacerbates the "oil in cabin" smell if you do, so I keep it right at the full mark only.

mdchaser

Thanks for all the replies! It looks like I'm aiming for between 9 and 10 quarts. I'll check the dipstick to see where I end up.

ZR1Bob

If the system is fully drained on an oil change, Bill is right that the correct amount is 9.8 quarts. Surprising how many tech might not know there are two drain plugs in a dry sump system. Or that the proper oil check technique is to get the temp up to 175 degrees, stop the engine and then wait 5-10 minutes before checking oil. Techs are not the most patient of people and hate waiting. I once discovered at home that a tech only put 8.5 quarts in so I was down almost a quart on the dipstick. Always check your oil level after an oil change to avoid nasty surprises. What I do now is ask the tech to fill with 9.0 quarts and hand me the 10th quart to top off with later. I of course got service writer push back saying their oil is bulk, not in bottles but I remind them that their parts department sells it by the quart. I generally keep it about a half quart low on the dipstick hash marks, for a total fill amount of about 9.5 quarts.--Bob.

Rdubfalco

I serviced with 10 qts of Mobil1 15W50 in my last oil change. I would be more concerned that I serviced with 10 qts but since I was doing headers I had the Dry Sump lines disconnected for about a week anyways.

On the other hand I have a question someone might be able to answer. I also installed a Flex Fuel Sensor and I currently run E55 Ethanol. Does anyone know how frequent we should conduct oil changes when running E85? I've heard it should be much more frequent when running E85. Hope I'm not high jacking your thread OP. Thanks