Acura RSX DC5 & Honda Civic EP3 Includes DC5 Integra Type R & 5dr Civic hatchback

Best oil for the K20

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 08:00 AM
  #1  
K20Z1RSX's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: colorado spring
Icon2 Best oil for the K20

What is the Best oil weight and brand for the K20Z1 ? i heard 10w is good for Vtec but i don't know i always ran 5W20 in my evo and sti's
on in my stroke evo i used 10W
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 09:00 AM
  #2  
Type-Spaz's Avatar
DC5/EP3 MOD :)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
From: WI
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

well oil is strictly opinion. I've heard guys say they run thicker oil and explain its because vtec is built on oil pressure. And brand will just be a pissing contest.



From my job I run castrol full synthetic 5w-30 because our oil salesman has the best oil arguments.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 09:54 AM
  #3  
mustclime's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 865
Likes: 2
From: fortree, nj
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

k's have low oil pressure in the backside of the head, for that reason I do not recomend 5w-20 for them. I use 5w-30 in the winter and 10w-30 or 40 in the summer.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 10:09 PM
  #4  
RSX King's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: In the garage
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

I use 5w-30 royal purple. I would imagine redline is nicer, but is preaty damn expensive.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 10:57 PM
  #5  
DaveSi677's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada but from Montreal
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

I use strickly Motul... and I usually run 5w30 in the winter and 5w40 in the summer
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 10:37 AM
  #6  
square_1's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: Oregon, USA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

I've been running 5W30. Usually run Royal Purple. Heard and experienced amazing things with it. And my cost on it is cheaper than Mobil 1. haha.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 02:28 PM
  #7  
DaveSi677's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada but from Montreal
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

The problem with Mobil1 is that its not a fully synthetic oil.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 02:53 PM
  #8  
dx_rex's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: rochester, ny, usa
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

i guess im just confused on why nobody runs the recommended oil weight..? my hatch is just stock(internally) for now, ive been running amsoil 5-20 weight oil for the 30k worth of mileage i put on it, and have not seen a problem..?
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 03:35 PM
  #9  
BIG T's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: CO, USA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Originally Posted by DaveSi677
The problem with Mobil1 is that its not a fully synthetic oil.
where is the information that states that...
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 03:44 PM
  #10  
Real Ek4's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Panama, Republic of Panama.
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

What is your opinion about "Redline 10w40" for K20a2
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 07:58 PM
  #11  
Targa250R's Avatar
be professional
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 14,842
Likes: 13
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

For a K20, I'd run 5W-30 Castrol GTX. I run it in my K24A1. GTX is one of the best natural oils out there and has a low ash content. I'm not a huge believer in synthetics for daily driving with naturally aspirated engines. Just a waste of money if you ask me - unless you're running forced induction, see exceptionally high oil temps, or run extended oil change intervals (5000mi+).

Honda-branded oil is essentially Mobil Drive Clean. ExxonMobil oil isn't bad stuff at all, but I personally prefer Castrol.

Originally Posted by dx_rex
i guess im just confused on why nobody runs the recommended oil weight..?
5W-20 was specified in K20A3s for the sole purpose of incrementally increasing fuel mileage in order to theoretically boost federal CAFE numbers. Realistically, it doesn't do squat.

5W-30 offers better hot burn-off resistance and high-RPM shear resistance, which is why it is specified for the K20A2, K20Z1, K20Z3, K24A2, etc. There is no problem using 5W-30 in a K20A3.

Originally Posted by BIG T
where is the information that states that...
Newsflash: Most viscosities of standard Mobil 1 (along with most viscosities of standard Castrol Syntec) are created from Group III basestocks, which means it is essentially based on natural oil and is not a fully synthetic oil. There are a few M1 and Syntec options available out there that are based on the fully synthetic Group IV basestocks though, along with the other full synthetics like AMSOIL.

Last edited by Targa250R; Feb 8, 2009 at 08:05 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 09:18 PM
  #12  
DaveSi677's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada but from Montreal
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Originally Posted by BIG T
where is the information that states that...
Please view my fellow GTR2 buddy Targa post : )
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 09:26 PM
  #13  
BIG T's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: CO, USA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Originally Posted by Targa250R
: Most viscosities of standard Mobil 1 (along with most viscosities of standard Castrol Syntec) are created from Group III basestocks, which means it is essentially based on natural oil and is not a fully synthetic oil. There are a few M1 and Syntec options available out there that are based on the fully synthetic Group IV basestocks though, along with the other full synthetics like AMSOIL.
so brands are we talking about that are a full synthetic
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2009 | 04:49 AM
  #14  
Mechanic's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina, USA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Originally Posted by Targa250R
For a K20, I'd run 5W-30 Castrol GTX. I run it in my K24A1. GTX is one of the best natural oils out there and has a low ash content. I'm not a huge believer in synthetics for daily driving with naturally aspirated engines. Just a waste of money if you ask me - unless you're running forced induction, see exceptionally high oil temps, or run extended oil change intervals (5000mi+).

Honda-branded oil is essentially Mobil Drive Clean. ExxonMobil oil isn't bad stuff at all, but I personally prefer Castrol.

5W-20 was specified in K20A3s for the sole purpose of incrementally increasing fuel mileage in order to theoretically boost federal CAFE numbers. Realistically, it doesn't do squat.

5W-30 offers better hot burn-off resistance and high-RPM shear resistance, which is why it is specified for the K20A2, K20Z1, K20Z3, K24A2, etc. There is no problem using 5W-30 in a K20A3.

. . . .
x2. Genius.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2009 | 04:43 PM
  #15  
dan12288's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Originally Posted by DaveSi677
The problem with Mobil1 is that its not a fully synthetic oil.
are you sure? never heard of this.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2009 | 04:55 PM
  #16  
nahonda04's Avatar
Surje.motorsports
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 0
From: mechanicsburg, pa, usa
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Originally Posted by dan12288
are you sure? never heard of this.
read the thread before posting already covered questions within the thread
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2009 | 05:13 PM
  #17  
DaveSi677's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Canada but from Montreal
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Motul, Amsoil, Royal Purple... are just a few names of some of the full synthetic oils that are out there.

I have used Motul on my mini-me and my almost fully built B18C and I never experienced any lost of oil... It made the engines run smoother and I couldn't be more happier!
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2009 | 11:47 PM
  #18  
inkong's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere inbetween NV and NJ
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

I use the recommended weight and it tends burn when on when i auto-x so i think going one weight higher in the summer is something that could help keep the oil from burning thats all ...
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2009 | 03:43 AM
  #19  
pcorad's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 693
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, ma, US
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Mobil 1 5W30. 133,000 miles at redline. No problems.
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2009 | 03:48 AM
  #20  
Evil Ryu's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

Originally Posted by inkong
I use the recommended weight and it tends burn when on when i auto-x so i think going one weight higher in the summer is something that could help keep the oil from burning thats all ...
mobil 0W40.
it's really a thick 30 weight.

great oil.
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2009 | 08:11 AM
  #21  
tweek_boii's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, california, Best Coast
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

I run 10w30 castrol feels smooth enough
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2009 | 08:17 AM
  #22  
josh's ep3's Avatar
Function > Form
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

This kinda has to do with the subject, a good thing I like to use every couple of oil changes is the Lucas Oil Synthetic Oil Stabilizer also every few months I use the Lucas Oil Fuel System cleaner. The first time I used the fuel cleaner I noticed a big difference, no lie. If you've been running an aftermarket intake, then use this to help clean out all the extra crap that gets inside. It's like $10 and it lasts for about a 100 gallons of gas, so just a good squeeze after you fill up and it will clean your injectors and fuel lines. Lucas Oil products ftw.
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2009 | 09:19 AM
  #23  
4inline's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

im running amsoil 0w-30
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 11:42 AM
  #24  
BIG T's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: CO, USA
Default Re: Best oil for the K20

so it reasonable to run an Amsoil since through the vtec process that creates so much heat.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2009 | 12:43 PM
  #25  
Jewls's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: -->ThE CeNtRaL CoaSt <-- Santa Maria Ca
Icon3 Re: Best oil for the K20

5W-30 royal purple
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:15 PM.