I did a search and this is a very debateable topic.
I want a good oil that is going to help my engine run well and protect it.
It's an 89 SI with 220,000+ miles on it.

So to start which should i use conventional or synnthetic?

Next which weight 10w30 or 5w30?

Finally which brand Moble1, Castrol, Valvoline or what?

Thanks-HC4G

 

i think you should use 10w30 conventional oil, if you run synthetic on an older engine, itll probably leak bad... if you want to keep if ur engine running well just make sure u do regular maintanece on it

 

My 89 SI hatch has 287,xxx miles on it. Original motor, original head, original bearings, yada yada. Changed the head gasket though. I run 10w30 all the time, and I'm not picky about the type. Regular old dino oil, none of that synthetic stuff for an engine with that loose of bearings I make sure to change the oil before 3,000 miles hits. All that's done with the car is autocrossing, and it's holding up pretty well. No clouds of smoke or anything.

5w30 is too thin for it. 10w40 isn't such a bad option either.

~Ricky Shank
85 CRX SI - e-prepared #86
89 Civic SI - c-street prepared
02 Civic EX

 

Look into Valvoline MaxLife. The actual makeup of the oil is supposed to be very good.
And definatly 10-30 or 10-40. 5-30 is way too thin.

 

word up on that
ill go with Valvoline Max Life 10w-30
its better.. dont go syntetic or u might screw something up....
stay with that and keep an eye on the car.....
u might wanna add a Slick 50 additive or Z max or something....

 

i got 128,xxx on mine. only needs a valve cover gasket. change the oil every 2000 mi and everything is fine. i use havoline. that oil has always done me good. 10w-40 for the summer and 10w-30 for the winter. when i change it usually comes out about as clean as it went in.

 

<FONT COLOR="green"> so when is a good time to use synthetic? on new cars or race cars? i used to use synthetic on my old car, never knew i could harm it that way.</FONT>

 

oil additives will kill your motor....
I lost a 4 door EF to that ****

 

sorry man
i always used slick 50 sutff and always got good results... low water temperatures. smooth reving, oil not that dirty....oil temp normal, and oil poressure normal too.,... maybe u had an extra factor help u mesed that engine out.. who knows....

 

Any name brand oil will be fine, just change it regularly. I would run 20/50 is hot weather and 10/40 in cold. Usually on high mileage motors, all the tolerances are loosend way up and thinner oil will burn too easily.