Hey,
Anybody using synthetic oil?

How about Premium unleaded. I have been using mid grade, 90 (i think) Octane and engine seems to run a bit smoother.

Any comments suggestions?








I will be putting on my RRM intake and exhaust today. Arrived at work a few hours ago...woo hoo!!

 

hey could you post some pics and maybe some sound clips after u put on your RRM intake and exhaust . . . . I'm about to purchase both of those myself and would like to see how they look and sound together . . . . thanks

 

I'm running full-synthetic oil right now. There probably is a difference in the way the car runs, but I can't really tell. I can tell you that it was twice as expensive, but you can go a couple more thousand miles without changing it.

 

This may help a bit too

 

Premium gas has been debated and I'm not gonna delve into that however, I will chime in on the synth oil issue. I will tell you tell you that I'm behind synthetics all the way regardless of their cost. The first oil change I tossed in synthetic and the car ran significantly smoother and a bit quieter. It's definitely nice, albeit expensive.

 

Okay, guys, here's what I've been taught when it comes to lubricants and fuel.

I just changed my major at Clemson from Mechanical Engineering to Corporate Finance, but last semester I took an ME class with a professor that was really into cars.

First about lubricants. He gave us a handout about the advantages and disadvantages of synthetics over conventional lubricants. Basically, without going TOO in depth (it was an 8 page article) it all depends on what you do with your car. Synthetics do not have the variability that conventional oils do. Certain properties of conventional oils change under pressure and heat, for instance viscosity, which under certain conditions can lead to more engine wear. Basically, under normal use, it doesn't matter that much. BUT, if you operate your car under "extreme" conditions, like if you're always running up close to redline, I would use synthetic. You still need to change your oil at regular intervals (I change EVERY 3000 mi) though. The reason for this is that even though you're using an oil that's MUCH more stable than conventional oils, you're still contaminating your oil with gasoline and dirt as you're driving (granted it's very little, but the contaminates are still there). These contaminates build up just as fast no matter what kind of oil you use. So even if you use synthetic oil that is stable through 6000 to 7000 miles per oil change, you're still gonna have the dirt and gasoline buildup. If it were up to me, I'd rather run the hell out of my car with conventional oil and change every 2000 miles than do the same thing with synthetic and change every 6000 miles. But right now, I run Mobil 1 5W-30 with a Mobil 1 filter (I believe the part number ends with a 110), and a 3000mi oil change interval.

Next, in terms of gas, I've done a little bit of studying on it, and from what I understand, the octane ratings basically give you an idea of the conditions under which the gasoline burns optimally. If your car's tuned to run on 87, run it on 87. You need more octane when you boost compression. The reason for this is that the higher octane fuels are less likely to detonate before spark. They can handle more pressure. That's why if you run a car on a ton of boost on '87 pump gas you blow up your motor. Imagine running '87 on Papadakis's drag Civic... I'm picturing the gasoline igniting halfway up the compression stroke... I doubt that would be much fun. If you want cleaner burning fuel, buy the stuff that has detergents and anti corrosive agents added to it at the refiner. But buying a "higher octane" fuel will not burn any cleaner than the lowest grade. If your car gets by without detonation on 87 octane, run 87 octane. You can actually lose power by buying fuel with too high an octane rating, because you're not burning the fuel as efficiently.

Anyway, those are my thoughts, based on what I've read. Somebody let me know if I was off on anything.

 

good thread man. you are 100% correct.

 

I have always been worried about this. My manufacturer tells me I have to change my oil every 15000 miles. I have called and they told me I should not have any problems. They said they have a special oil, however it also says there in case of an emergency I should use Castrol synthetic, don't remember the number.

As far my other car, I have started to use Mobil one synthetic, the V-8 engine is quitter, and I gained about 8/10 to a Mlle per gallon. I feel it is better as it reaches the top of the engine faster during the start. So I have been told.