Best Motor Oil/LS1 Engine Oil Discussion Thread [Archive]

UnleashedBeast

11-30-2004, 04:39 AM

German Castrol Syntec 0W-30 ROX!!!!

Best you can buy hands down. Even solved the cold morning start tick problem I had.

Mobil 1 0W-40 would be my second choice if I couldn't find the Castrol.

w2wss

11-30-2004, 06:50 AM

ive always used mobil1.

Patman

11-30-2004, 10:06 AM

The best oil analysis result I've ever seen in an LS1 engine was the one I recently got while using German Castrol Syntec 0w30. This oil is definitely awesome.

99tastallionkiller

11-30-2004, 12:24 PM

0w30 here as well it sounds alot bitter in the cold morning start ups now. The ticking is almost all gone:D

Constrictor

11-30-2004, 03:56 PM

I am also using German Castrol 0W30, but only because Patman told me to. I could sit on the Internet for a month straight and read about oils until my eyes bugged out of my head and I still wouldn't know as much about it as he does. So, I just trust his judgement and go with what he does! :D

WillieD

12-01-2004, 02:47 AM

Redline is some damn good stuff

-=boM=-

12-01-2004, 04:51 AM

Since I started driving I always used Castrol (Drive Hard).
It has never let me down.

Freebird

12-02-2004, 01:17 AM

If the Castrol 0w30 is mabee the best, why M1 0w40 if Castrol can't be had?

FlagSStaff

12-02-2004, 04:46 AM

Where do you get the German Castrol? :)

Phirehawk265

12-02-2004, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by FlagSStaff
Where do you get the German Castrol? :)

Autozone is the only place that sells it I believe.

You'll know it's the right stuff by looking on the back of the bottle for "made in Germany." Also, the oil is green. :cool:

Freebird

12-03-2004, 05:04 AM

I found it at Autozone but it has made in America on the back, is it still good oil to use?

Patman

12-03-2004, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by Freebird
I found it at Autozone but it has made in America on the back, is it still good oil to use?

NO, that is the old stuff which isn't as good.

It needs to have the following specs on it to be the good stuff:

ACEA A3/B3,B4
VW 502.00,505.00,503.01
BMW LL-01
MB 229.1,MB 229.3
Porsche approved

Freebird

12-04-2004, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by Patman
NO, that is the old stuff which isn't as good.

It needs to have the following specs on it to be the good stuff:

ACEA A3/B3,B4
VW 502.00,505.00,503.01
BMW LL-01
MB 229.1,MB 229.3
Porsche approved
what would be you 2nd. choice if you could not find the Castrol?

UnleashedBeast

12-04-2004, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Freebird
If the Castrol 0w30 is mabee the best, why M1 0w40 if Castrol can't be had?

Mobil 1 0W-40 is the second oil of choice if you can't get the first choice of German Castrol

UnleashedBeast

12-04-2004, 04:44 AM

Originally posted by Freebird
what would be you 2nd. choice if you could not find the Castrol?

Mobile 1 0W-40

FlagSStaff

12-04-2004, 05:04 AM

So I went by AutoZone today and they had no clue what I was talking about when I asked them about this stuff.... lol

UnleashedBeast

12-04-2004, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by FlagSStaff
So I went by AutoZone today and they had no clue what I was talking about when I asked them about this stuff.... lol

Most of them won't. Guys in autozone are like the people who work at Radio Shack. Years ago you could walk into RS and have a "Bill Gates" behind the counter, now you have just a cash register order taker with no knowledge at all. Now, I have to admit that parts counter people are still better than Radio Shack, but not by much. Your going to have to look for this yourself. Just venture to the oil rack, find Castrol Syntec 0W-30, and look on the back to find a RED label marked "Made in Germany". If it's a yellow label marked "Castrol North America" don't buy it. That's the old stuff and not as good as the German 0W-30. Good luck.

When you find some go ahead and buy as much as you can afford for the future. You never know if it will be harder to find the second time.

FlagSStaff

12-05-2004, 09:50 AM

Yeah, that's what I figured...lol I went back to the oil section prior to asking one of the bafoons at the counter, but their Castrol stock had been pretty much picked clean. So, I thought (obviously incorrectly) that one of the bozos might know something about oil... ummmm... wrong! LOL I guess all I can do is keep checking...

Vic02BlackZ28

12-05-2004, 09:38 PM

How much is the Mobil 1 0w40 or German Castrol 0w30?

Patman

12-06-2004, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by Vic02BlackZ28
How much is the Mobil 1 0w40 or German Castrol 0w30?

I believe they are both around $4.75 to $5 US per quart.

MeentSS02

12-06-2004, 06:25 PM

Well, that oil just became too hard to come by around here :( I am less than pleased, but will be giving Mobil 1 0w40 a try here in about a week. I actually asked the guy that was running the register why they didn't have it anymore, and he replied "I dunno...it just stopped coming."

Fair enough, I guess :(

Croaker

12-09-2004, 02:52 AM

I assume you can mix the German and American Castrols? I accidentally picked up some of each :(

Patman

12-09-2004, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by Croaker
I assume you can mix the German and American Castrols? I accidentally picked up some of each :(

See if you can return the US stuff and exchange it for the German, the old US stuff is nowhere near as good, so I wouldn't mix it. Or use the US stuff in your beater.

2000Z14X2

12-10-2004, 03:35 PM

So tell me. Where does that leave the Mobil 1 5W30?

This is what i have always used since new & i currently have 172K on the clock.

however, i did recently have an engine rebuild ( LS6) about 3 months back.

Please tell me what is so great about this oil.?
I am curious & it is about oil change time.

Thanks.

killer01ws6

12-10-2004, 04:11 PM

Patman has stated its properties may times,
You can do a search or just PM him. But his research results was enough to make me, Constrictor and may others switch. :)

Freebird

12-12-2004, 05:53 AM

Castrol 0w30 or Mobile 1 0w40, why not Mobile 1 0w30?

Patman

12-12-2004, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by Freebird
Castrol 0w30 or Mobile 1 0w40, why not Mobile 1 0w30?
Mobil 1 0w30 is too thin, it's only 10.0 cst at 100c, so it's at the bottom end of the 30wt range, while Castrol 0w30 is 12.2 cst which is at the very top end. The thinner 30wt oils show more engine wear in the LS1. The LS1 definitely prefers something in the thick 30 to mid 40wt range (so you want an oil between 11.5 cst at 100c to 14 cst at 100c)

McBane

12-13-2004, 01:03 AM

what if I just recently got the car and not sure what the previous owner put in it?

SandmanTA

12-13-2004, 03:22 AM

So is this stuff in a black bottle with a red label?

FstBlk Z28

12-13-2004, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by McBane
what if I just recently got the car and not sure what the previous owner put in it?

go ahead and put whatever you want in it @ the next oil change. then continue using the oil of your choice from there on out.

McBane

12-13-2004, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by FstBlk Z28
go ahead and put whatever you want in it @ the next oil change. then continue using the oil of your choice from there on out.

If it had regular motor oil in it the first 24,000 miles and I go and put Mobil 1 synthetic or whatever isnt that bad?

Patman

12-13-2004, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by SandmanTA
So is this stuff in a black bottle with a red label?

Yes, that is correct.

Freebird

12-13-2004, 06:22 PM

how many miles are the Castrol and M1 good for before it needs changing? my car is not a daily driver and it might take me 6 mo. to put 3000 miles on it, does oil need to be changed every 3 mo. or is it the miles that are important?

MeentSS02

12-13-2004, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by Patman
Mobil 1 0w30 is too thin, it's only 10.0 cst at 100c, so it's at the bottom end of the 30wt range, while Castrol 0w30 is 12.2 cst which is at the very top end. The thinner 30wt oils show more engine wear in the LS1. The LS1 definitely prefers something in the thick 30 to mid 40wt range (so you want an oil between 11.5 cst at 100c to 14 cst at 100c)

For my information, where does the 40 weight Mobil 1 fall in line with the numbers stated?

MeentSS02

12-13-2004, 07:14 PM

Nevermind me...the Search ownz me. 14.2 cst from what I found.

UnleashedBeast

12-13-2004, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by Freebird
how many miles are the Castrol and M1 good for before it needs changing? my car is not a daily driver and it might take me 6 mo. to put 3000 miles on it, does oil need to be changed every 3 mo. or is it the miles that are important?

No, some other members here only change their oil once a year b/c they don't drive the car daily either. The 3 month rule with good oil doesn't exist.

Patman runs his Castrol 5000 miles on avg. before he changes it. I will do the same. Better oil means longer mileage intervals.

McBane

12-13-2004, 11:39 PM

I wanna put Castrol in mine but only if it wont damage anything.

But then again its still under warranty so I can just have my engine replaced for $100 lol

UnleashedBeast

12-14-2004, 02:28 AM

Originally posted by McBane
I wanna put Castrol in mine but only if it wont damage anything.

But then again its still under warranty so I can just have my engine replaced for $100 lol

If your desire is to keep your engine running the best it can why wouldn't you run the Castrol 0W-30? Ask Patman, german castrol shows the least wear of any motor oil he and many others have EVER tested.

McBane

12-14-2004, 04:09 AM

No, you dont understand. If someone ran normal Quaker State 5W30 in there the first 25,000 miles and I put sythetic Castrol 0W-30 in isnt that BAD?

Patman

12-14-2004, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by McBane
No, you dont understand. If someone ran normal Quaker State 5W30 in there the first 25,000 miles and I put sythetic Castrol 0W-30 in isnt that BAD?

Nope, you can safely switchover!

McBane

12-15-2004, 12:43 AM

awesome, thanks! :D

SandmanTA

12-15-2004, 04:28 AM

So, if you only put around 3,000 miles a year on your car, when would be the best time to switch it? Right before you put it in hibernation?

Patman

12-15-2004, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by SandmanTA
So, if you only put around 3,000 miles a year on your car, when would be the best time to switch it? Right before you put it in hibernation?

Yes, it's always good to have fresh oil in it right before you're going to leave it sitting unstarted for a while (which is what I recommend, if you don't drive it on occasional long highway trips during the winter storage time, do not start the engine at all!)

STREET SHARK

12-15-2004, 04:04 PM

If I cant find the german stuff, ill go back to redline. It has reg oil now after heads and cam change

UnleashedBeast

12-16-2004, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by STREET SHARK
If I cant find the german stuff, ill go back to redline. It has reg oil now after heads and cam change

You may want to talk to patman about that. Instead of the Redline, Mobile 1 0W-40 is the next best thing. I have used both the German Castrol and the Mobile 1 0W-40 and can tell you that the Mobile is still good oil, but the GC is AWESOME and I will NEVER put anything else in my baby again. Even if I have to buy oil from out of state and have it shipped to me I just won't put anything else in there.

German Castrol 0W-30 = Fountain of youth for your LS1, LS6, or LS2 ;)

Freebird

12-19-2004, 06:16 AM

this may be a stupid question but if you find some German Castrol should you buy all you can because you never know when you will find it, oil does not have a shelf life...does it?

Patman

12-19-2004, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by Freebird
this may be a stupid question but if you find some German Castrol should you buy all you can because you never know when you will find it, oil does not have a shelf life...does it?

The shelf life of oil in a sealed bottle is 5-10 years so you'll be fine to stockpile it. I've got over 60 bottles of it myself. :)

InsearchofgirlwithTA

01-03-2005, 09:40 AM

damn patman, you gonna start bathing in this shit? LOL just kidding. I'm going to search for the GC myself tomorrow!

STREET SHARK

01-11-2005, 10:32 PM

German castrol is a great oil, I found some! It is not as noisey now thanks patman

Takers TA

01-19-2005, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by UnleashedBeast
You may want to talk to patman about that. Instead of the Redline, Mobile 1 0W-40 is the next best thing. I have used both the German Castrol and the Mobile 1 0W-40 and can tell you that the Mobile is still good oil, but the GC is AWESOME and I will NEVER put anything else in my baby again. Even if I have to buy oil from out of state and have it shipped to me I just won't put anything else in there.

German Castrol 0W-30 = Fountain of youth for your LS1, LS6, or LS2 ;)

What about ROYAL PURPLE 5x30 i just spent 41 bucks on the oil yesterday.

Croaker

01-19-2005, 07:04 AM

I accidentally had myself 5 bottles of the non-German Castrol 0w30. Canadian Tire was having a sale on synthetic oil, so I went in and bought 5 bottles of German Castrol, then went back the next day and said I bought the wrong oil and returned the american stuff. :angel:

FstBlk Z28

01-19-2005, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by Croaker
I accidentally had myself 5 bottles of the non-German Castrol 0w30. Canadian Tire was having a sale on synthetic oil, so I went in and bought 5 bottles of German Castrol, then went back the next day and said I bought the wrong oil and returned the american stuff. :angel:

i haven't been able to find the German castrol since last summer .... guess Mobil 1 0w40 is goin in the car in the next few weeks when i have the oil changed.:dunno:

Booger

01-29-2005, 06:38 AM

I've run the GC and the M1 0w40, and it seems as if the GC looks alot darker than the M1 on change, with almost identical milage, driving style. The m1 to me seems to have less sound at startup too... Kind of odd, guess I should figure out how to send out an analysis and see what is really going on.

Patman

01-29-2005, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by Booger
I've run the GC and the M1 0w40, and it seems as if the GC looks alot darker than the M1 on change, with almost identical milage, driving style. The m1 to me seems to have less sound at startup too... Kind of odd, guess I should figure out how to send out an analysis and see what is really going on.

The GC could be doing a better job of cleaning up, which is why it might be darker, but in the long run if you kept using it, things would probably even out.

I've got 5k on my current run with GC and the oil still looks pretty fresh. It's not as clean looking as new, but it is nowhere near dark at all. The level is still on the full mark too. I'm taking this run to 6k. Then this summer I will do a run where I rely on my oil life monitor, so I figure it'll be about 8 or even 9k.