Oil.....

[raceguy246]

So I'm going to switch my ZX2 over to synthetic oil this weekend and would like some opinions. I was going to go and buy some Royal Purple 5w30 tonight, but Then I remembered that I had some Royal Purple 20w50 left over from when I switched over my Maserati to syn.

My question is weather or not 20w50 would be ok for our engine.

I was also planning on using a WIX filter. I have been using WIX for a while now and I believe them to be the best.

Please lemme know what you guys think, thanks

[ZX2R]

5W-20. The 20w50 is too thick for the VCT system.

[raceguy246]

5W-20. The 20w50 is too thick for the VCT system.

Thanks, thats kinda what I was thinking, but I wanted to get some other peoples opinions.

Do you think that I could run the 20w50 for a week or so to flush the dino oil out, then put in the 5w30? or do you think that is too risky?

[mechtech]

Flushing will be totally useless, with any oil.
20-50 is too heavy [like mentioned] for the VCT, but will also kill power and gas mileage because of the extra unnecessary drag.
I'd use the Motorcraft FL2005 filter because it is properly valved [2 anti drainback silicone valves].
I am not a fan of Royal Purple anything.
If the sound of 'synthetic' rocks your world, try Pennzoil Platinum.
There is no magic power in synthetic oil. It is all about viscosity, and additive packs.
The synthetic will give you longer drain intervals . Unless you have a turbo, think twice.

[simplicity05]

Synthetic still a good idea if boosted? I'm currently not, just want the info :-)

I personally am planning Amsoil 0-20 or as close to that as I can get for my next change (which I'm a couple hundred past due... boo work boo...)

[mechtech]

Full synthetic oil is great for turbocharged cars. There is additional heat, and some hot spots can have TERRIFIC temperatures.
It's just that for most people, dino oil is wonderful.
Amsoil is probably the best full synthetic [for anything] out there.

[simplicity05]

So were you saying that synth will give a longer drain interval only if non boosted, and implying that you should maintain a regular (3k miles) routine if you are turboed?

[mechtech]

I didn't say anything like that at all.

A NA engine, even if built a bit, will go 3-5,000 miles on anybodys dino oil.
Figure 6-10,000 for a full synthetic. You can go much longer, but I'd get a used oil analysis to see just how long.

[wifeszx2]

Full synthetis in your engine is pointless, you are throwing away money. Engine oil is something you will be changing 2 to 3 times a year, just use conventional 5W-20 motor oil. Now for the tranny, synthetic would be worth considering since most people don't change tranny fluid as often if ever.

[iceracer]

You can actualy save money by using synthetic oil. Depending on how far you drive, you could go as long as one change a year.
I change mine once a year and have gone 10k miles. I have been doing this since 2542 miles. Now a little over 63k.

[mechtech]

I change my oil a lot more often than I have to, or should. Engine and tranny. Dino in the engine, and synth in the tranny.
Even though it makes sense, I just couldn't go for those long drain intervals. Even with dino I always jump the gun.

[98escort]

Full synthetic oil is great for turbocharged cars. There is additional heat, and some hot spots can have TERRIFIC temperatures.
It's just that for most people, dino oil is wonderful.
Amsoil is probably the best full synthetic [for anything] out there.

I'm sure amsoil has the same additive "Packs" as other oils.

These comments seemed to contradict your post I quoted. and the interval idea:
"If the sound of 'synthetic' rocks your world, try Pennzoil Platinum.
There is no magic power in synthetic oil. It is all about viscosity, and additive packs.
The synthetic will give you longer drain intervals . Unless you have a turbo, think twice. "

[iceracer]

You seem to have a misconception of synthetic oils. They are not just oils that have addative packs. They are designed and maufactured using very little base stock oil.

[wifeszx2]

Conventional oil is usually $2 a quart x 4 quarts = $8 for 3,000 miles
Synthetic oil is usually $6 a quart x 4 quarts = $24 for 6,000 miles

Conventional oil is still $8 cheaper

Synthetic does not do anything special over conventional after the 1st 500 miles.

[simplicity05]

The synthetic will give you longer drain intervals . Unless you have a turbo, think twice.

I didn't say anything like that at all.

A NA engine, even if built a bit, will go 3-5,000 miles on anybodys dino oil.
Figure 6-10,000 for a full synthetic. You can go much longer, but I'd get a used oil analysis to see just how long.

I guess I over/mis-interpreted the first quote. Sorry man.

[98escort]

You seem to have a misconception of synthetic oils. They are not just oils that have addative packs. They are designed and maufactured using very little base stock oil.

I think all conventional oils are created equal while Synthetics are better since there are more additives. I just saw a little contradiction that peaked my interest. I'm just looking for more detailed information then "This is better". I am currently running Pennzoil Platinum Syn, I have used Wal-Mart brand, Mobil 1, Castrol, all synthetic. The first thing I did when I got the car was an oil change to synthetic. No particular reason just out of habit. So if there truely is a superior oil I would love to know which one and why.

Also when I stated "other oils" I meant "other synthetic oils".

[Boss122]

I change my oil a lot more often than I have to, or should. Engine and tranny. Dino in the engine, and synth in the tranny.
Even though it makes sense, I just couldn't go for those long drain intervals. Even with dino I always jump the gun.

I'm the same way with the mroe frequent than necessary oil changes. I change my engine oil after every weekend at the track and every 3,000 miles. That's with Mobil1 synthetic. Last year I looked inside the engine throught he spark plug holes with a fiberoptic scope and I could still see the crosshatching on the cylinder walls at 93,000+ miles. Not bad for a car that spent msot of its life in the 4000-7400 RPM range.

Unfortunately, I can't use synthetic tranny fluid with the ZXTuner tranny. EVery single one I tried causes the tranny to grind in the first 4 gears when upshifting or downshifting. Rob form ZXTuner claimed its because the tranny is built to the truck specs with looser tolerances.

[mechtech]

98 - You are "sure" that Amsoil uses the same additive packs as other oils?!
Do you even know what a tribologist is?

As to the rest of your post, I am very consistent concerning my oil and lubrication views. VERY consistent. And this is from a lot of homework over the years, empirical and vicarious.

Check out: bobistheoilguy.com It is a superb site.

[iceracer]

Yep, Mech is very consistent when it comes to oils. You could almost say stubborn.

[98escort]

98 - You are "sure" that Amsoil uses the same additive packs as other oils?!
Do you even know what a tribologist is?

As to the rest of your post, I am very consistent concerning my oil and lubrication views. VERY consistent. And this is from a lot of homework over the years, empirical and vicarious.

Check out: bobistheoilguy.com It is a superb site.

I'm not positive no, haven't looked into it at all. IT would be strange though that no other company would use the same packs as Amsoil. Given Amsoil is about $10/quart here I guess it would also be fair to assume that they are the best synthetic oil?

BTW Don't take my posts as arguments or bashing of any sort, I'm just trying to learn some more and get more info/input.

[mechtech]

ice -- I laughed out loud at that!

[iceracer]

I thought you might.

[iceracer]

98- Synthetic oils have chemical compuonds not found in mineral oils. They are artificially made. Synthetics have superior mechanical and chemical properties not found in mineral oils. This is why you can run then longer, 10K and over is not uncommon and that is where you save.
Just remebered , my year is up, almost 9k miles. time to change my Amsoil.

[98escort]

I guess now it makes sense why people call mechtech an asshole. I never experienced it but now I have trying to learn makes people laugh.

[krux]

One of my favorite for this car is the 5w-20 motorcraft oil. Its a semi syntheic blend and I beleive it holds up very well. Again I change my oil ever 2k on this car since it only see's summer. Yet it's a great oil. Mech does know his oil and actually part of the reason why i switched to that and back to a motorcraft oil filter with the 2 drain back valves.

[ZX2Fast]

I use M1 Synthetic in both ZX2's. I go 5000 miles between changes on the turbo ZX2 and I still get 170+ psi of compression out of it at 180,000 miles. The other ZX2 has about 110,000 on the engine and it gets 180+ psi compression. I've been using M1 synthetic in it from day one.

[mechtech]

98 - Great sentence structure - for a 6 year old. Truly incomprehensible.

[iceracer]

Now he really will call you an AH.

[mechtech]

He must be intimately familiar with them.

[simplicity05]

What what what, in the butt.