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Old 11-07-2001, 02:33 PM   #1
sherifx
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Default Best Sythetic Oil for 02 WRX?

Basic question: Its time for my first oil change, and as usual I only use synthetic, I usually use Mobil 1, but I wanted to know if there was anything better... I've never had a turbo car before... Any suggestions?



thanks
sherif
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Old 11-07-2001, 02:40 PM   #2
XT6Wagon
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Just use Mobil 1 5-30 full synthetic and call it good. Amsoil MIGHT be better, as MIGHT redline. But you can't pick up the oil at any walmart, and its far cheaper than those two.
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Old 11-07-2001, 02:59 PM   #3
sherifx
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basically, I don't care too much about the cost soo much you can always order stuff online, I know I have seen Redline at pep boys... but I the best sythetic that can deal with Michigan winters and be good for my car, thanks

sherif
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Old 11-07-2001, 03:19 PM   #4
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for the best synthetics i've used is motul. the blend is cheap and it works better then redline for sure i've used alot of different oils in my old bike and it was a noticable difference.
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Old 11-07-2001, 05:52 PM   #5
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The best synthetic for a turbo car is none at all..stick with a good quality oil, like Castrol GTX, and change it often (every 3,000)

Synthetic is NOT worth the cast unless are ready to go big dog...Royal Purple, Trust/Greddy, HKS, or Amsoil 9which actually is a decent oprice).

Blends are ok too...but be careful..we have found most to still be too thin (you quickly find that 10W 30 does not equal 10W 30 when talking synthetic vs. blend vs. non-synthetic). we like the Quaker State blend personally for thos ecustomers who specify, but use Castrol exclusively on our own cars......

adam
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Old 11-07-2001, 06:01 PM   #6
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Different viscosities for a given rating of synthetic vs. petroleum based. Huh... that goes against my understanding of how SAE J300 (the applicable standard) defines viscosity.

I guess you learn something new every day.

cheers
mbs
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Old 11-07-2001, 06:02 PM   #7
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Based on specifications given in their white papers, and the small savings available, I have run Pennzoils performance Synthetic for a few years in my Maxima, and just switched to it after the first oil change in my WRX.. Mobil 1 is great, but have you noticed how fast the tail pipe goes black? The Pennzoil has a lower flash point, so less burns off..
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Old 11-07-2001, 06:13 PM   #8
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Adam / Z-1 Performance,



Could you elaborate on that?

I must not understand, or I'm missing something.
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Old 11-07-2001, 06:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dave_MacKinnon
Mobil 1 is great, but have you noticed how fast the tail pipe goes black? The Pennzoil has a lower flash point, so less burns off..
Aren't the black soot on the tail pipes just a sign of running rich which the WRX does?

Jay
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Old 11-07-2001, 06:45 PM   #10
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I was at the store this evening and noticed Mobil 1 Synthetic and Tri-Synthetic. Can anyway elaborate on the differences?

Also, I was going to buy a FRAM Double Guard Filter but didn't see the WRX listed in the catalog. Has anyone bought this brand before and if so, what part # did you buy?

Thanks,
David
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Old 11-07-2001, 07:10 PM   #11
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IMO, Amsoil is the best. As far as filters, stay away from FRAM. They are the worst piece of crap filter that you can buy. I suggest that you stick with the OEM filter. (Just buy it from one of the dealers that sells at a discount)
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Old 11-07-2001, 11:00 PM   #12
Woodywayne
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Motul 300V Power Racing 5W30/10W40 is by far the best. Mobile 1 also makes a 0W40 which is also good but not as good as the Motul. The heavy weight oils offer no upside in todays power plants they just cost you horse power.
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Old 11-08-2001, 12:57 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally posted by NotoriousWRX
IMO, Amsoil is the best. As far as filters, stay away from FRAM. They are the worst piece of crap filter that you can buy. I suggest that you stick with the OEM filter. (Just buy it from one of the dealers that sells at a discount)
You guys should do a search before posting, there is got to be like 100 threads about oil.
Adam is right, if you change your oil often it doesn't really matter if you use synthetic or regular. But regular oil will degrade faster after 3000, so if you are lazy and don't like to change oil much.. get synthetic. If you change your oil every 3000 miles or so, the different is minmial.
Don't use fram, get wix or OEM, which is just purlator.
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Old 11-08-2001, 06:38 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally posted by jk147
But regular oil will degrade faster after 3000, so if you are lazy and don't like to change oil much.. get synthetic.
Actually, according to the MCN oil test earlier this year, both dino and synthetic began to lose viscosity at ~1000 miles. From there to 3000 miles, the dino oils lost it at a greater rate than the synthetics.

JAS
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Old 11-08-2001, 06:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally posted by adam99rs
The best synthetic for a turbo car is none at all..stick with a good quality oil, like Castrol GTX, and change it often (every 3,000)
You have test data to back that up?

The number of people here touting that "dino oil is as good as / better than synthetic" is amazing. And none of them have provided any facts as to why.

Go read the three-part MCN oil test and then come back here and say that dino oils are as good as synthetics.

IMO, all these people touting dino oil are just doing it to justify their own decision to buy cheaper oil.

JAS
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Old 11-08-2001, 07:11 AM   #16
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Old 11-08-2001, 07:17 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally posted by A-spec tuning
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html
Great link. Thanks for posting it. A quote from the article:

Quote:
The synthetics offer the only truly significant differences, due to their superior high temperature oxidation resistance, high film strength, very low tendency to form deposits, stable viscosity base, and low temperature flow characteristics. Synthetics are superior lubricants compared to traditional petroleum oils. You will have to decide if their high cost is justified in your application.
JAS
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Old 11-08-2001, 07:19 AM   #18
A-spec tuning
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There is a lot here also just look around.

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil.html
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Old 11-08-2001, 07:22 AM   #19
JustAnotherSquid
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Quote:
Originally posted by A-spec tuning
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/oil.html
LOL - A-spec hits another home run:

Quote:
One distinction: According to the laboratory tests, Mobil 1 and Pennzoil Performax synthetics flow exceptionally easily at low temperatures ---- a condition our taxi tests didn't simulate effectively. They also had the highest viscosity under high-temperature, high-stress conditions, when a thick oil protects the engine. Thus, these oils may be a good choice for hard driving in extreme temperatures.
JAS
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Old 11-08-2001, 03:55 PM   #20
harrydog
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18 replies to your question and close to 18 different opinions.
This is one of those subjects that it is hard to get a strong consensus on.
Probably any synthetic is better most non-synthetics.
Mobil 1, in my opinion, is better than the other off the shelf brands. Amsoil is probably a little better. Redline and Motul are the best, by virtue of the fact that they both use substantial amounts of polyolester basestock, which is superior to the cheaper PAO's and other esters in terms of holding up well in high heat, high shear conditions.
Bottom line: Mobil 1 would be fine to use and you would almost certainly not have any oil related problems with it. But you asked which was the best, and in that case I would go with the Redline. Remember that a hard driven turbo engine can put huge amounts of stress on the oil.
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