So, I'm about due for an oil change after my cross-country trek and I've heard so many different stories on what is 'best' for a Camaro in regards to type of oil...

When I first got the car and for about 5 years, I used full synthetic and NAPA Gold filters. Then my lifters and a few other things went and the mechanic who fixed 'em/everyone I talked to said it was best to go back to regular oil for awhile, since it's thicker. So, I did and haven't had any problems out of my car in the 2-3 years since.

I'm wondering, though...how do you determine the best kind of oil to use? Regular oil is cheaper and seems to do the trick, but I'd like to do what's best. I know it can vary from car to car, so...

I've got a 90 RS with a stock 305. Miles on the car are around 202,000. I have no idea if the engine is original, but it's been out of the car at least once and a lot of people have told me it appears to have been rebuilt at some point. I don't know how many miles are on it since the alleged rebuild, but I've put about 30,000 on it since I got the car.

 

I just buy the cheapest dyno oil available for my 350, usually Kragen O'Reilly house brand. I figured its better to chance cheap oil often than to use expensive oil longer.

 

You need to keep better company. Synthetic oil is not "thinner" than petroleum-based oils, except perhaps at extreme low temperatures below the temperature used to establish the viscosity rating of an oil.

"Alleged rebuild", "unknown miles", and you're blaming the oil for the problem you had? Illogical.

Choosing an engine oil is kind of like choosing a helmet - If you have a $25 head, then go ahead and buy a $25 helmet.

And, no, it is not better to use a cheap oil more often than it is to use a better oil longer. I'd rather keep the AMSOIL in the crankcase longer than the recommended interval than to drain it and put fresh Kragen petroleum oil in it.

Unfortunately, this is not one of those areas where spending more means you get more. The very term "synthetic" has been bastardized by regulatory fiat, so you really don't know what you're getting based on the label on the bottle. A highly refined petroleum is allowed to call itself "synthetic", and even though "group" designators have been defined by the industry, the seller isn't required to label their product accordingly. The end result is that almost all of what is called "synthetic" is really refined petroleum, and while it might be better than a "regular" petroleum-based oil, it still isn't as good at protecting your engine as a "real" PAO synthetic is.

(BTW, O'Reilly, who bought out Checker/Shucks/Kragen, recently had their "store brand" synthetic for $2.80/qt, while Quaker State petroleum of the same viscosity and rating was $3.99/qt. Go figure.)

 

I never blamed the oil for anything, past or present! I was simply stating what I had been putting in the car previously. The "problem I had" was a result of some parts that had worn out without me realizing it. I was just wondering what is truly the best for a possibly high-mile engine. I'd like to prolong the life of what's currently under the hood until I can afford to rip it all out and make some upgrades.

 

How did I decide what oil to use?
Since Amsoil recommends 1 year or 25k between changes for their full synthetic, it costs much less than using a cheaper oil in the long run. And you'll have better oil in your crankcase.
Easy choice for me.
But I've only been using Amsoil since my last oil change, in my truck.
I've never used Amsoil in my Camaro, just because it has no engine, and hasn't for almost a year.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...nd-oil-do.html

JamesC