Oil/filter??

[waynester]

Sorry, another question...( I really need that Haynes to arrive)

I think my handbook states 5W-30 oil/Mobil recommended, but what filter?
And where to obtain these things..Halfords, doubt it.

The oil in my engine is very clean, and has only travelled 800 miles, but was changed 15 months ago. Is it ok to leave longer or should preventative wisdom dictate...change!


Thanks.

It's for 1990 L98, 58,000 miles fsh.

[c4koh]

There are loads of suppliers for these type of things, though doubt Halford would have a filter!

Some useful numbers here:

Bauer Millett Service Dept: 0161 872 3933
Parts Desk: 0161 872 7744 / 0753
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American Car Parts: 0121 351 7655
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Claremont Corvette: 01634 244444
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OCW-ACDelco Parts: 020 8810 4595
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Eurovettes: 01438 22 33 54
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Rodley Motors Tel: [phone]
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EBC Brakes - 01375 846401
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Goodridge UK - 01392 369090 (James Wills)
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Eurovettes (speak to Keith) a nice place, very good service.

OCW tend to have all of the OEM ACDelco stuff, can be a little pricey, but usually have loads of bits in stock.

For finding bits like filters, I usually start off with ACDelco:

http://198.208.187.182/internet/Inter

... you can find the ACDelco part # there, and from there query the internet to see any cross-matching (e.g. FRAM equivelant) filters etc.

Takes sometimes a little getting used to (remember american terms, so ROTOR not DISC etc.)

ENGINE->FILTER->OIL shows your L98 should be an ACDelco PF454.


Edited to add:
I would change the oil anyway, once a year, regardless of mileage. It's also an very easy job and gets you a bit familiar with your car.
Given the price of petrol, I would recommend spending around a tanks worth of petrol and get decent oil.

For this, a fully synthetic Mobil 1 is what I use, though I don't know what the L98 would prefer. But get the best you can, is all I'd say.

Keith at Eurovettes is my supplier for Mobil-1.

Edited by c4koh on Thursday 24th August 13:48

[waynester]

Thanks....really appreciate it.

[vetteheadracer]

If the oil is clean and only done 800 miles I would leave it alone, you should see at least 5000 more miles before you should even think about an oil change.......

[waynester]

vetteheadracer said:

If the oil is clean and only done 800 miles I would leave it alone, you should see at least 5000 more miles before you should even think about an oil change.......

It was more of a concern that the oil change/service was last May. So 15 months, but only 800 miles.?

[Corsette]

The best oil and filters on the market are Amsoil. The Amsoil Series 2000 oil and the SDF32 filter.
www.performanceoilsltd.co.uk/series_2000_series_3000_oil.html
www.performanceoilsltd.co.uk/by-pass_filtration_systems.html#fullflow

The guy is based in Hounslow

[franv8]

The L98 is a first gen small-block - so it'll take a lot of abuse, on top of this it is also not built to really close tolerances so doesn't really need super quality oil. In fact, a fair argument is that Mobil 1 in this country is perhaps a touch thin (typ 0W30). Remember also that the L98's only rev to 5.5 k, and if you're up there on a stock engine you're wasting your time anyway (auto will rarely go above 5k, and in truth the power's all done at 4.5k rpm)

also, GM spec'd Mobil 1 on the LT1 so that it could run at a higher temp - they deleted the oil cooler (looks suspiciously like a bean counter driven decision), although it is feesible to have an L98 without the oil cooler (depends on option codes), I think most have it though. (It's an oil to water heat exchanger, fitted as a 'sandwich plate' between the filter and the block, so it looks like a 2" thick piece with two approx 1" hoses coming out of it).

Sorry, back on point, I use a 10W40 oil in mine, generally go for the semi-synthetic brand, (e.g. Castrol Magnatec) - although for the same money you can sometimes get the Halfords brand synthetic in the right grade.

The most important thing is the frequency of oil and filter changes, I use VHR's recommendation of 5-6000 miles. I know age is quoted as a factor too, but it doesn't really age that much in a year, maybe if I only ever drove a mile 1000 times in that year (e.g. lots of cold starts) then it's be worthwhile, other than that stick to mileage.

[yellowshark454]

Hmn not sure I agree with Nige on this one. There is a very strong body of opinion that an oil change every 12 months is a bright thing to do if that precedes the quoted mileage. Certainly present in the Vette community and in the boat world we change our engine oil before the winter layup and again before putting the boat out again in the spring. Although I am now tending to lay my boat up later and later an using it earlier so this year I think I am going to investigate trying to do one change - its not just oil its greasing as well. But back to cars, I dont know the C4 but a yearly oil change is common practice on the C3 and on the C5 the GM Service manual specifies an oil change every 15K miles or 12 months whichever is the sooner. The way I look at it an oil change is not expensive so following the recommendations seems sensible.

[VetteG]

yellowshark454 said:

Hmn not sure I agree with Nige on this one. There is a very strong body of opinion that an oil change every 12 months is a bright thing to do if that precedes the quoted mileage. Certainly present in the Vette community and in the boat world we change our engine oil before the winter layup and again before putting the boat out again in the spring. Although I am now tending to lay my boat up later and later an using it earlier so this year I think I am going to investigate trying to do one change - its not just oil its greasing as well. But back to cars, I dont know the C4 but a yearly oil change is common practice on the C3 and on the C5 the GM Service manual specifies an oil change every 15K miles or 12 months whichever is the sooner. The way I look at it an oil change is not expensive so following the recommendations seems sensible.

Absolutely, Oil changes each year or 3k miles does more to protect the longevity of your engine than any additive and in relative terms the cost is peanuts.

G

[CHEVY-STU]

Waynestar, if you're in Herts, then there's also:
Watford Motor Accessories, 324a St Albans Road Watford WD24 6PQ T: 01923 221776
good for basics like filters etc..

[eddo]

Every 5k, always have no matter what car.
Ed

Dont thrash old oil

Edited by eddo on Friday 25th August 22:22

[Dee Gee]

This one always gets a big discussion going on the Corvette Forum

For the LS 1 engine, the general consensus is that with Mobil 5W30 you can trust the DIC on the C5. This check is dynamic and registers the use of the car. In normal use you'll get about 10k from your oil. Performance of the synthetics is way better nowadays. That said, strong advice is change at least every 12 months.

I use K&N HP1007 filters.

Edited by Dee Gee on Sunday 27th August 15:30

Edited by Dee Gee on Sunday 27th August 15:30

Edited by Dee Gee on Sunday 27th August 15:31