Oh God....another synthetic oil decision?
 

And yes...I've been through the Sticky since I bought my '06.

From the get-go my gut told me BS...I should run synthetic from day one. After reading all the 04-05 engine failures my mind said I better cover my axx and run non-Syn.

So it's 83K miles later...trouble-free car...I red line the thing 10-20 times on each trip out...I'm a nut and love this car.

I've know this friend who makes a living building all kinds of super high HP engines for various cars. HUGE buck engines. Here's what he told me the other night:

*You should have been running already or change to synthetic ASAP. Kendall is the best though Mobil 1 is OK. The Kendal thing is based on 30-years of builds and teardowns and inspections. It's the only oil they will use in their builds.

*No dealer can tell whatsoever that you're running synthetic unless they send the oil out for testing which they won't do because it costs too much.

*At my mileage he suggests 5-30 or even 10-30 because of internal wear and the fact we're in Arizona where it's warmer.

So.....my guts says screw it...I'm a synthetic everything guy...time to change!

Is he correct in his statements?

Mods, please lock this shit.

Shotts:

here's the problem with your scenario
- There is no way to tell whether switching to Synthetic at this point will make a difference. If we cloned your motor, installed it in another RX8 and ran that with non-synthetic under the exact same conditions as your current motor being switched to Synthetic only then could we have a side by side comparison.

What is your compression now?

I ask because what if it's already low, you switch to synthetic and then your motor fails in 10,000 miles.
Will you blame the change in motor oil? Maybe and that failure most likely was not caused by the oil but rather an engine that was already losing compression.
Your motor might be running "trouble free" right now but that isn't always the best indicator of compression. Ask me, I know.
My motor runs like a CHAMP, has consistently been one of THE highest whp motors at every dyno day I host (I've dyno'd hundreds of 8's over the years) and yet I know for a fact that my rear rotor is below the acceptable tolerance and my front rotor had 1 face failing and the other 2 are within 2 psi of failing.

Oh, and those compression results are over 18 months old and my car still runs like a beast yet I would venture to guess that over that time my compression has continued to drop.
Not bragging at all, simply sharing my experience that how a car 'feels' isn't always the greatest indicator of engine health.


You're right, dealers can't tell if you run synthetic or a different weight oil. My advice to people, "STFU and don't volunteer that info if the dealership doesn't ask for it." And if they do.... "I always just run whatever the manual says" ;)

as for the weight: Higher temp areas will probably benefit from 5w-30 or higher.

Well, you've read the stickies, so that's a good starting point. I'll just sum things up.

The reason that this argument exists is because of the OMP - the pump that sends oil to your apex seals. ANY oil that resists breakdown under high temperatures is going to be problematic for use in your car. If your oil doesnt break down when detonated, it will be problematic, so:

Ask your friend how much experience he has running that stuff in 2-stroke motors.

This is why people use the Sohn adapters... The apex seals get clean-burning 2-stroke oil, and the rest of the motor can use whatever synthetic your heart desires.

Never mind 2-strokes. How about rotaries? Maybe some of those Buick rotaries?

I second 9krpmrx8's request to the mods.

Ken

Thanks. You're a high-class guy.

Makes sense. Many thanks. I do not know my compression...really not too concerned as the things runs great. Just trying to better protect the motor is possible.

Thanks as well. Ya, this the issue I wanted to ask this dude about next I see him.

You knew that you'd get a response like this when you started this thread!
RX8Club :grouphug:

No...all the dork had to do is hit BACK on his browser. Better than showing his low class.

Thanks? :dunno:


Man, you guys sure are spoon feeding today...................

it's my random act of kindness for the day.

Jedi must be feeling all warm and fuzzy over the SS donations for the needy :)

This thread still sux btw

Between the synthetic oil thread and the 10w-30 thread I've given a small portion of my soul in information or debate.

Please read those threads and not open new ones.

Ibtl !

But not IBTR ...

Kendall?

Really?

Better than Mobil 1?

Ha!

In before the lock...lol

:sadwavey: