Sheasta

iTrader: (7)

I have a built mivec 4g63 with about 3,000 miles on it. Oil was changed to 20w-50 brad penn about 1800 miles ago after the rings were sat. It's a daily driver and its tuned on 93 pump gas on a stock 9 turbo. Will be getting a turbo in the future but for now stock turbo. I have some questions I had trouble finding through searches...

what interval should I change be changing the oil at?

Is brad penn oil what I should be using ?

Is there a better alternative ?

Would a fully synthetic oil be better so I can go longer oil change intervals ?

I want to be able to drive at least 3000 miles before changing my oil if not more . I heard I should be changing it every 1500 miles which is ridiculous.

STLEVOIX

iTrader: (17)

Who built the motor? These would be questions for them.

Turndown

iTrader: (2)

I just use Brad Penn conventional oil or 50/50 whatever it was I got last. As STLEVOIX said talk to your builder he can give you a good idea, but your driving habits will be a big factor in that too.

LetsGetThisDone

iTrader: (1)

If it's your daily driver, you need an oil designed for daily driving, non-race use. True race oil is designed to be changed often, and does not the detergents that keep the inside of the engine clean. Brad Penn's site doesn't say if the 20w50 has these detergents. If it doesn't, condsider something else. Like amsoil zrod 20w50, Joe Gibbs/Driven HR15w50, Amsoil Signature Series 5w50, etc...

Sheasta

iTrader: (7)

Asking my builder is not an option or I would have asked him. With that in mind...

I am open to other oil recommendations. I currently am using Brad penn 20w-50 partial synthetic high performance oil "the green oil."

The goal is to run oil I can go at least 3000 miles before needing an oil change with.

Daily driver
93 octane
Fully built 2.0 liter
Evo 9 turbo
Some spirited driving


Currently the car is running well but I was told that the oil should be changed every 1500-2000 miles and I drive 70 miles a day for work.. All highway.

Turndown

iTrader: (2)

Well letsgetthisdone just threw out a few other options if you don't want to use Brad Penn any longer.

Sheasta

iTrader: (7)

The amsoil zrod is fully synthetic and it says for modified engines it can go to 3,000 miles between service intervals ... I think I'll give this a try.

Turndown , how often are you changing your oil ? We seem to be using the same stuff currently.

Still open to more opinions.

Thanks guys

Turndown

iTrader: (2)

It depends how I'm driving but I usually will do it at or before 3k miles if I'm not ripping on it too much

evo.matt

iTrader: (3)

With a built motor, it is important to check the oil level more frequently. Brad Penn is excellent. I'm running it as well on my buschur 2.0LR. On e85, daily driven, I notice the oil down to the top line after about 1500 miles of driving. So my oil change interval is between 1500-2000. I have 0 leaks too. Just have the oil and filters on deck!

Turndown

iTrader: (2)

This. Built motors eat oil quicker since they open the rings up a bit to handle more boost creating more blow by. Just keep an eye on your levels and color and to be safe don't let it go past 3k miles without an oil change. I really like the Brad Penn so if I were you I'd stick with it.

Sheasta

iTrader: (7)

In 1800 miles my oil level went from the top line on the dip stick to the middle of the two lines. I just add oil if it's a bit low and then change at 3k miles. Is that okay ? I just noticed the oil was pretty dark in color today so that's why I made this thread.

Turndown

iTrader: (2)

Yea that's not too bad for 1800 miles, so from there it's just when you want to do it. Just don't let it go past 3k so you don't form any bad habits and your motor will be happy.

Sheasta

iTrader: (7)

Thank you. I could see changing your oil every 1500 miles if you're on e85 and/or a big turbo pushing the motor, but it seemed a bit excessive on a stock turbo pump gas tune.

Turndown

iTrader: (2)

I don't think it has much to do with the tune as much as how the motor was built and with what clearances and such.

LetsGetThisDone

iTrader: (1)

I change every 3k, I run E85 pretty much full time. Built motors that are built right do not use any more oil than a stock one. That being your engine also uses very little oil, nothing to be worried about there.