Oil recommendation

[Photon440]

To jump in this thread, a local shop began running four quarts of straight 40w (VR1) and added one quart of the Lucas oil additive in mine. They said that my 69' Charger, 383, responded well to it. Any thoughts? Too thick? I've read one post in this thread that someone ran something very similar....

It will be thick when cold, but after it has warmed up it should be the same viscosity as a 10/40 multi-grade.

 

[Some Car Guy]

I wouldn’t run Lucas in anything. A good oil like vr1 needs nothing. I’d go with the 10w-30 for better cold start flow. I’ve never seen it on the shelf, have to do Amazon.

 

[Orange69']

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too - at cold start, I would want as minimum friction as possible. But, the shop recommended this combo to increase oil pressure. I was thinking 'if' I did run the straight 40w, then no Lucas additive as the 40w here in PA should be thick enough. But, again, interestingly, this was what the shop recommended to build that oil pressure....

 

[Some Car Guy]

I ran my vr1 10w-30 one year with a quart of 20w-50 and thought I was doing something. The magnet drain plug had a lot more shavings after that. So I dropped the heavy stuff from then on. Went right back to normal next two changes. Never again.

 

[Orange69']

Sounds like the VR1 10w-30 or the 10w-40 are the ideal choices as how it was from factory. However, mine isn't exactly 'factory' anymore - EFI, electronic ignition, dual field alternator, etc.

Thank you for the feedback and input gentlemen, much appreciated. Decisions, decisions....

 

[threewood]

I currently use either Gibbs Driven HR or Valvoline VR1. The VR1 is cheaper but it contains less detergents so it gets dirtier faster. The Gibbs is more expensive. Both have a good amount of zddp. I change the oil probably once or twice a year so the price of Gibbs isn't bad.

 

[Orange69']

Hmm, never heard of the Gibbs before, but, I'll be happy to look into it. Being in PA, which the summers can get quite warm, I'm leaning towards 5 quarts of the 10w-30 (and no Lucas additive).

Seeing how I probably should use conventional vs. synthetic blend products, such as the Brad Penn / Penn Grade1, I'm hoping that my oil pressure will increase without the Lucas additive. Thanks for the tip on the Gibbs Driven Oil as it's impressive, indeed. I'll give it a try this season!