I have a sohc zc should i go with synthetic or is it a waste of money and i should go with regular oil?

 

Whether synthetic oil is a waste of money depends mainly on a couple of factors. They are (1) how hard do you drive, and (2) how much do you value your motor? Synth is vastly superior to conventional oil in terms of both lubricity and ability to stand up to high temperatures. So if you use synthetic oil, your motor will last longer. And this is particularly true if you like to drive hard. On the other hand, if you consider your motor to be a throwaway item, it might not be worth the trouble. Especially if you (1) don't mind replacing it, and/or (2) you plan to sell the car or swap in a better motor sometime soon.

 

I always go with the conventional oil since it's cheaper. Sometime you can score Valvolene, Penzoil or Quaker State for like $.69 a qt. w/ mail in rebate and a coupon from the local paper.
I just replace when it looks dirty or 3000 mi, which ever comes first.

Please remember to RECYCLE used motor oil

 

Synthetic oil does cost a bit more, but in the long run your motor will last longer due to the superior lubricants compared to normal motor oil. However, it never hurts to change the oil every 3,000 miles.

Oh yeah, whatever you do..

.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HumanResource &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Please remember to RECYCLE used motor oil</TD></TR></TABLE>

Jon

 

Let's play with some math here
Let's say Synthetic will cost you $3.50 a quart (sale)
plus the $10 "special" synthetic oil filter
4 qts and a filter that's $24.00 for an oil change

Now Conventional at average 1.50 a quart (sale)
plus a Fram $4 filter
bout $10 for an oil change

Let's say a healthy engine should last about 120,000 mi before any major service is required
NOW if both engines changed their oil every 3000 mi, that's a total of 40 oil changes
Synthetic - $24.00 X 40 = $960
Conventional $$10.00 X 40 = $400

That's $560 in the bank
some wait a lil longer on synthetic and change every 4500
that's about 27 oil changes X 24.00 = $648
Still $248 in the bank

Don't really care for Synthetic because I'm a cheap bastard.