Need the Advice from the Experts...LS1 Break in...Synthetic / Mineral Oil

[badazz81z28]

This has got to be the most controversial subject out there!

I have a brand new LS1....Ran Comp Cam break in oil for the first 30 or so miles, swapped it out for Royal Purple break-in oil. Now ~230 miles later I just dumped it out. It has been driven a little aggressively and has been on the dyno for a few 6K+ pulls. Now GM stated to run Mobil 1 from the get go, but many say not to run synthetic.

I have Royal Purple HPS ready to go in, but hestitant....What should I do? More break-in oil? Off the shelf mineral? or go HPS?

Thx,

[Todd in Vancouver]

Although I'm not running an LS when I had my engine at the Dyno last week he instructed me to run break-in oil for the Dyno (done). Then run fresh break -in oil for the first 500 miles (that's in my engine now and waiting) then he told me after the initial 500 mile break-in doing varied loads and driving, to go with whatever oil I going to use. Im going with the synthetic oil recommended by Lunati Cams and will then start to drive it like I stole it.

That was the advice from my engine guy and from the cam manufacturers but do make sure you have the right type of oil to match any modified parts in your car if necessary. PM me if you want a copy of the advice I got from Lunati but I am running a solid roller in a SBC but I can forward the email I have if you like.

also, I have changed the oil filter twice and cut open the old ones and check for chunks. IMO

Good luck and let us know how that bad boy goes now

[71RS/SS396]

I work with one of the best LS engine builders in the country, we build anything from 630 hp (na) engines all the way up to 2,500+ hp twin turbo monsters. We break every engine in on the dyno using either Gibbs or Brad Penn break in oil after that we recommend the customer use whatever synthenic oil they choose, we usually recommend Mobil1 or Pennzoil Ultra platinum since it's readily available at any parts store, 5W-30 for your street engine, the drag guys usually use 0w since they are looking for every extra ounce of power. Most of the off the shelf synthenics are pretty good these days so I don't see the need for some high dollar oil, a high quality filter is far more important imo.

[badazz81z28]

Thanks for the words! I heard rumors that RP break in oil actually causes wear to promote engine break in, that's why I fear to continue running it. It does have the NO MORE than 2500 miles note on the bottle.

[Mike Norris]

I always say to ask whomever the engine builder is as there can be different theories on what to do as well as what weight oils to use. Weight or viscocity will generally depend upon bearing clearances. If you ask the builder what to use and they either do not say or do not care, I would be leary of their practices, but I would follow the Joe Gibbs or Royal Purple break in practice. Hope that helps.

Mike Norris

[badazz81z28]

The General built my engine lol...He said to run Mobil 1....lol.