for those out there with 3rd gens fbody that has tpi sbc of any sort in their cars with over 140,000 miles on there what type of engine oils or additives are you guys using to keep your engines running at its best or alive.

 

I prefer penzoil 10w40 std oil for high mileage engines, but thats me

You'll want to step up weight slightly to account for the extra wear. Biggest thing is to avoid switching oil types

BTW, 140,000 isnt high mileage. Post back once you crack 200,000

 

225,000 with synthetic. Switched at 180,000 miles.

 

Ive always use standered castrol. Had 170k on my old gta. The best oil is clean oil. Alot of people think they can use syn and run a year without changing the oil. Ive never had any problems running just reg motor oil in all my third gens.

 

154k with 93 octane and Mobil 1 oil since day one. It still runs great.

 

well thats good to know that a lot of people her e are pushing their motors beyond the 200,000 and close to the 200,000 miles mark.

I have heard that its good to mix synthetic oil with regular for the high mileage engines.next i heard about the zddp additive for motor oil.

 

I've pulled several tpi motors from parts cars, only one had real engine issues, thrown rod from a high school kids 350. Most of the others had between 150k and 190k and looked very clean in the bottom end.
Sbc's are pretty durable in stock form and easy on the oil. I see no need for syn , just change it regularly.

 

well i am going to go for the 250,000 miles before i consider doing a lsx swap

 

My original trans gave up around 260some, completely worn out engine was pulled at 296k for a LSx swap. In hind sight I should have done it 6 months after buying the car

If you're considering a swap in the future, start gathering parts NOW and avoid the 1-3 year build threads like most people have. My first swap took 5 days and my second 16 hours. You will NOT be disappointed

 

My 91 Z28 has 212k on her and it shows, It blows alittle smoke on start up but drives around just fine. I'm pieceing together a new LQ9 with an LS3 top swap and a 4L65E with paddle shifters . So it won't be long before the treefiddy goes byebye lol.

 

Depends modern oils don't break down. What they do it pick up containments. If your fuel injection works spot on an you keep up with regular maintence......250-300K isn't a problem these aren't high reving motors. My father worked for Shell oil co for 25 years and i worked around and managing quick servs for 7 years......I have my on views but thats another subject.

 

i will keep that in mind

 

did you drive very hard or not keep up with the tune ups.what do you think caused it the smoke

 

Smoke on start up is usually worn valve seals, mostly an age and wear issue. Can be addressed in an afternoon

Smoke during acceleration usually means worn rings, the engine requires an overhaul

 

I've only had the car for about a year and it's done it ever since I bought it. The previous owner was an idiot when it came to cars (says his father) I found so much stupid stuff done to it like duct taped vacuum lines and about 15lbs of speaker wire stuffed from the engine bay to the rear of the car lol.

 

Addressing the ZDDP comment from above...

ZDDP is really only needed if you have a flat tappet cam, which would be found in pre-87 SBCs. Even then, there is debate as to how much it's needed. I'm on Wrangler forums as well, as I own a 99 Wrangler. The old Jeep I6s were about the last engines I know of to run flat tappets...the vast majority of them run normal oil without special ZDDP additives. Most never have an issue.

With that many miles, I would say conventional oil is fine. I run Mobil 1 in my IROC, but it goes 600-700 miles a year and gets changed once a year. With 23,600 on it currently, I am at the opposite end of this discussion

 

I just bought a 1991 GTA with 314K miles. Was told it has had one engine rebuild by previous owner. Not sure miles since rebuild. Runs good no blue puffs on start-up or under hard acceleration. These were not hard miles but that is still a lot of miles would not you say.

 

Well thats what i am hopping that my motor can last for at least 250,00o to 300,000 miles that would be great.I just had the head rebuilt.so that way it would save me the hassle later on down the road

 

160k on my old L98 before pulling out for 383. I used standard 10w30's. Cam bearings showed wear by that point. Looser timing chain too. Didnt get to see the crank main bearings or rods but likely had some wear. Solid oil pressure tho and never had blowby or smokey starts. Ran 12.9's with just bolt ons at 160k miles so i say it was running tip top

 

Mine died at 167,999...either leaked or burned oil, previous owner never checked or changed it and ran it dry until it seized.

Probably would have gone another 100k if the moron just bothered to check it every once in a while.

 

I got about 250,000 miles on my original 305 TPI and run Castrol Syntec 20-50 and it does fine. I drive the crap out of it everyday to haha (rpms on average stay at 3000-4500 when gettin thru traffic and taking off), and I run it to 0-120 once a week just for fun

 

thats good

 

i only have 123k on mine, the highest mileage one I had was like 180k and it ran just fine. I used Castrol High Mileage in it and Lucas. helped with the start up smoke

 

Mine had 200K miles on it when I sold it..... (yeah, I no longer own a third-gen, I just miss this place, and my car...) Had 88K when I bought it. Regular oil changes and maintenance, dino oil, no additives at all. Original engine and trans. All I did was change the valve seals. Didn't use oil, ran great.

 

My 305 TBI RS had almost 400,000 miles and was running well before the LS swap.

The TPI cars can also do some serious miles. Sadly, these two aren't on road now but 360,000 miles and 275,000 miles is hard core longevity. If only had the funds to restore and repair. Bet this car could see 400,000+ miles.
This car looks restorable to me.

 

Valvoline Max High Mileage 10-40

 

Been running Royal Purple 10W30 with K&N oil filters for years.

 

I ran regular walmart high mileage supertech oil when i bought my 85. Now i run castrol gtx ultra clean with a zinc additive. Runs strong, not sure how many miles since my odometer is broke. Found a shop receipt from 2010 that showed 89,000 so my guess probably 130,s now.

 

I sold a 91 Z28 Lb9 car when it had 180k or so mi. Found it a year or so ago it was wrecked but the engine still ran at 322k mi! I ran it hard when I had it to say the least, I was 21 when I bought it and maybe 25 when I sold it.