Kind of expensive, but IMO its worth the money. So what do you guys think? If your not using synthetic what are you using?

 

well if you do ur own oil change then get the synthetic... people may debate the actual improvement syn will have over conventional, but i kno that my car feels like it runs better on synthetic and that gives me peace of mind... ultimately i think thats whats gonna do it for most.

 

Go Synthetic, viscosity does not break down as rapidly .

 

Sweet. Im doing it then.
How often do you guys change your oil using synthetic?

 

I used Mobil 1 Synth and, after a couple thousand miles, for some reason my oil rings went bad at 20k miles.

Also a friend has an ITR that used Mobil 1 Synth, and now he is having the same problems.

Its not worth it IMO. Unless its a race car and you can rebuild the motor every year.

I was using a quart of oil every 20 min of track time.

Just FYI... decide for yourself if you really truly *need* to use it..

what will you gain? what could you lose?

Weigh the options and decide is it worth it for you.

 

I started off syn and it got too expensive since I was putting alot of miles on the car. I do change my own oil. So I went back to dino and have been putting castol GTX in and it works just as good as mobil 1 syn oil. The car runs just the same with either oil in it.

 

IMO I think I need synthetic. I want to do the best for my car, and 3-4 more HP for a more expensive oil, is worth it. I have heard so many things from so many people. To each his own I guess. Thanks for all your input though.

 

3-4 hp?? Just by using synth?

BWAHAHAHA!!! sorry.. Someone has lied to you.

Besides, no one will EVER notice 3-4 hp...

Good Luck. I suggest you do more CREDIBLE research, and I dont mean asking these kids on a message board.

 

1 to 2HP maybe, though probable to get 3 or 4.

Synthetics have a ton of advantages over dino oil. I ran in just after 2000mi in my '99 Si and it's going strong for over 65,000mi.

It works for me!

 

There are reasons to switch over to synthetic, but HP is definitely not one of them.

That's very odd what happened to you and your friends piston rings, very coincidental. Hard to say it could only be the oil though.

I don't consider Mobil 1 to be a very good synthetic anyways. Redline, Amsoil, and Schaffers have much better quality and benefits than off the shelf synthetics.

Read this thread for good debate on dino vs synthetic. Most of the people on this board are chemical engineers and oil experts.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...=001221#000002

 

Thats EXACTLY the kind of replies I was hoping for..

Thanks StyleTEG...

EDUCATION!!!!!

 

I use synthetic for peace of mind even though I have my doubts if my car will run any longer if use conventional oil. Nonetheless, peace of mind = priceless.

 

You all have very good points. again, its a 'to each his own situation.'
Im still leaning towards it though.
Piece of mind is priceless, I agree. I would have better piece of mind using Synthetic.
Feel free to change my mind though.

 

The only thing you will notice is the cost, but only the best for your honda I'm sure. I used mobil1 synthetic in my gsr, but when I get it fixed I will probably switch to royal purple or maybe redline.

 

When I bought my GSR, with 38k miles they had changed the oil that day so I kept their "regular" oil in there for 3k miles. Then I started putting redline in. I noticed a definite difference in feel. The car ran slightly smoother, and quieter. I thought I felt a slight change on the butt dyno but it's possible it was in my head. I put redline in for the next few changes (I went 5k on the synthetic) and everything seemed fine. I have put mobil 1 synthetic in for the last 2 changes because I just can't afford redline. (I know it's only a $15 diff, but when you're broke that adds up) The mobil 1 seems decent, though not quite as smooth as the redline. I also use the mobil 1 filters. I really doubt it will increase the longevity of my engine. However, I figure that repeated high RPM driving must break down oil more quickly and if the synthetic is supposed to be slower at breaking down, then I feel better driving hard. I consider myself an aggressive driver, but I don't track my car. I usually cruise between 80 and 100 on trips and my GSR only burns 3/4 quart every 5k miles.

 

if you wanna use synthetic id use mobil 1 super syn 10w-30.

if you wanna use dino oil i d go with castrol gtx 10w-30.

 

Synthetic oils are highly resistant to a phenomenon known as "shear". When an oil is flowing between a very small clearance, 0.001" to 0.0025", i.e. crank journals, cam bearings, cylinder walls, etc. the twisting/turning/sliding motion between the crank journal and the rod bearing (for example) is literally trying to pull the oil molecules apart. All oils degrade under these conditions, conventional oils quicker, synthetic oils slower.

In addition, synthetic will flow to the top-end quicker on cold starts and maintain a more consistent viscosity when temperatures are elevated.

By the way, Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, and Dodge Viper all come with Mobil 1 as the factory fill. What does that say for synthetics?

 

another huge advantage of synthetics over dino is the longer change intervals

amsoil claims 25K intervals and you can get the stuff on ebay for around 55 a case of 12

if you are one of the masses who feels the absurd need to change their oil out entirely every 3k or less then you are wasting your money, i bought my car at 197K and changed the oil immediately and there after have changed it not less than every 5-7K and the car runs perfect, with amsoil in i will probably up that to 10-15K depending on how ive been driving, i do reccomend however changing your filter and adding 1/2qt every 2-3k tho

 

another thing to think about:

not all over-the-counter synthetics (pep boys, kragen, autozone) are the same.

mobil is a true synthetic meaning it is made from a group IV (PAO) base stock.

others such as castrol syntec, pennzoil syn., valvoline syn. are made from a group III (dino) basestock. which has been refined to the point where it can be called a "synthetic'.


[Modified by ejprimo, 4:14 PM 2/13/2003]

 

strange about the Mobil 1 problems you had Chris.
cuz i remember reading about Mobil having improved the oil.
I personally use Mobil 1 5w-30 and change it myself every 2700-3000 miles
and have been using it for the past 20-25k miles (couple times i used royal purple but the place i got it cheap at went up)
When i do more things to my car i'll most likely start buying better oil, but for right now (having only i/e) i thought Mobil 1 was really good

 

i just want to know why people change their oil out entirely every 3k miles? Is it the social conidtioning to do so or do you actually have you oil analyzed in some way and proven to be defective after 3k? I mean its your money so spend it as you wish but Im just curious as to why people waste this kind of money on oil.

 

I go 5k on decent synthetic, but I'd definitely go 3k on regular oil. I do it because growing up my dad always told me to change oil every 3k. I also know that I drive my cars hard and oil is relatively cheap and easy to change. Why risk wearing out expensive parts when you can prevent it easily?

 

ur not revving your car up to 8200 all day long. also, you driving your car changing your oil every 5k for only 25k or so is not evidence that it is the best thing to do....but i do agree, at least change the filter every 3k, and add as needed at a minimum. i change every 3k..like the last person said, it gives me peace of mind.

 

i never said anything i do is the "right" way to do anything, when youre using something like Amsoil which i will be using its just lunacy to throw away perfectly good oil when it will do its job for a lot longer, yes of course change the filter every 3k or so because while an oil may still ubricate if its full of metal it wont lubricate for very long

someday well have internal components made of such funky space age material that doesnt even require oil lol itd be a nice dream tho

 

If you change out synthetic every 3K, your missing the whole point. Don't you guys look at your oil when you check the levels? It looks the same as new for at least 4000-4300miles. You 3K change guys using synthetic are pissing your money away.