Some current oil analysis info, ongoing testing.
#301
Evolved Member
iTrader: (18)
Yes I used Amsoil Z-Rod. Because this oil has a higher amount of ZDDP, Amsoil recommends to change it out every 3,000 miles. I'm not one to take chances on the lifeblood of my engine so I heeded their advice. Well, it turns out I can go longer than 3,000 miles. I'll submit another sample at the 6,000 mile mark and post my results.
#302
EvoM Community Team Leader
iTrader: (60)
Yes I used Amsoil Z-Rod. Because this oil has a higher amount of ZDDP, Amsoil recommends to change it out every 3,000 miles. I'm not one to take chances on the lifeblood of my engine so I heeded their advice. Well, it turns out I can go longer than 3,000 miles. I'll submit another sample at the 6,000 mile mark and post my results.
As for the rest of this thread,
I've seen Evos running hard on OEM-spec Mobil 1 with no issues.
I've also seen results after 7500mi on an oil change (multiple oils) with no problems.
Someone mentioned in this or another thread that we're probably overthinking things. I agree. Oil is oil. "Better" is an opinion and relative term. We don't always need "Better". The key word is "need". I change often (four times per year while my car mostly sees track use + the commute there and back, along with 6-8 autox sessions) because it makes feel warm and fuzzy, but I know I'm wasting oil and money. When I see people using expensive oils and changing at early intervals, i cringe. But who cares? It's or money and we can do as we please. 😀
Then again, I'm one of those guys who claims rotors don't warp, wheel spacers are fine on a race car, and I don't need 500whp to have a fast car. My opinions are not very popular. LOL
#303
Evolved Member
iTrader: (18)
LOL. Nothing wrong with going against the grain. Just don't hurt anyone in the process.
Oil is another one of those gray areas due to the amount of factors that affect the oil's ability to perform (ie track car vs street, highway vs stop and go, mods on car, fuel used, etc. etc.). I've just been a fan of Amsoil due to the fact I was able to go 15k+ miles on it with my old Civic. There is no perfect oil. You just need to pick the right oil for your application and budget. With today's high quality of the bigger oil brands out there, I'm sure they are all within a splitting hair's difference in terms of performance between each of them.
Oil is another one of those gray areas due to the amount of factors that affect the oil's ability to perform (ie track car vs street, highway vs stop and go, mods on car, fuel used, etc. etc.). I've just been a fan of Amsoil due to the fact I was able to go 15k+ miles on it with my old Civic. There is no perfect oil. You just need to pick the right oil for your application and budget. With today's high quality of the bigger oil brands out there, I'm sure they are all within a splitting hair's difference in terms of performance between each of them.
#307
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
I ran Mobil 1 10w-30 with Mobil 1 filter for almost 6 years in my bolt on EVO. I drove it every day, raced, etc and never had one issue. To me, you can run any synthetic oil and be just fine. I don't believe, however, in going 5,000+ miles between oil changes. All of my vehicles get oil changes every 3,000 miles or less and EVERY time I drain the oil, no matter if it's conventional or synthetic, it's BLACK. So, to each his own.
#308
EvoM Community Team Leader
iTrader: (60)
I ran Mobil 1 10w-30 with Mobil 1 filter for almost 6 years in my bolt on EVO. I drove it every day, raced, etc and never had one issue. To me, you can run any synthetic oil and be just fine. I don't believe, however, in going 5,000+ miles between oil changes. All of my vehicles get oil changes every 3,000 miles or less and EVERY time I drain the oil, no matter if it's conventional or synthetic, it's BLACK. So, to each his own.
I assume the "black" in oil to but unrelated to the oil itself, anyway, other than it's doing it's job by catching contaminants.
#310
Evolved Member
iTrader: (3)
Well my latest results they said...
"Aluminum and potassium bumped up just a little in this sample. Aluminum can show piston wear, and potassium might indicate coolant contamination, though it's too early to call that for sure at this point -- hence the question mark in the antifreeze box. Maybe the aluminum is just operational in nature, so that might not be a problem yet either. In other words, we have a few things to keep an eye on going forward, but nothing that we're ready to call an outright problem. Everything else still looks great. Check back in 4,000 miles again to monitor."
Hopefully I don't have a super small coolant leak
"Aluminum and potassium bumped up just a little in this sample. Aluminum can show piston wear, and potassium might indicate coolant contamination, though it's too early to call that for sure at this point -- hence the question mark in the antifreeze box. Maybe the aluminum is just operational in nature, so that might not be a problem yet either. In other words, we have a few things to keep an eye on going forward, but nothing that we're ready to call an outright problem. Everything else still looks great. Check back in 4,000 miles again to monitor."
Hopefully I don't have a super small coolant leak