Synthetic bad?

[daveb91]

I just read this on another site and was wondering what you guys though?
I am now a proud owner of a Garrett T3/T4. After making my purchase the seller asked what I was building - I told him my story and he stated the followng:

I just wanted to give a little tip that I normally tell my customers. If you are not using a conventional motor oil I would suggest that you do so with plain bearing turbo's. I actually suggest conventional oil for any unit but especially for plain bearing units. It as been our finding in the high performance dragbike areana that the synthetic oil removes off the shaft so quickly because of it's water like characteristics. Therefore, it does not suspend the shaft very well thus causing it to eat bearings prematurely. Now, we run 30 to 40 psi of boost and up! And, NONE of the top turbo dragbike pro's use synthetics. We all use Kendal, Castrol or Valvoline etc. You may have an oil of choice and that's fine just as long as it's a conventional oil. 20w50, 10w40 or a straight 40 weight does well.

Just thought I would share this tip with you. Also, if you are familiar with WEB performance cams...............they state that they will not warranty their camshafts for customers who use synthetic oil. I can name a few other performance companies who state this as well.

This may be old news to most of you but it was my first time hearing it so I thought I'd pass it on.

[narfdanarf]

what would be the advantages of using synthetic?

[Feedman]

what would be the advantages of using synthetic?

It doesn't break down like natural petroleum based oils.


After an engine rebuild, when you break in an engine, you are supposed to you use convential oil to allow the rings to seat properly. After 1000 miles you are supposed to switch to a syn based oil.

After my rebuild is complete I will be following that rule. Reg oil for the first couple changes up to 1000 miles and then full synthetic or a blend.

In my opinion, its easier to replace bearings in a turbo, than bearings/rings/pistons in an engine. 8)

[narfdanarf]

I would think that synthetic would mess up the bearings in an engine the same as a turbo? And as long as you changed your oil at proper intervals I don't see what the point of having synthetic would be?

[xjoewhitex]

I also heard that you shouldn't use syth on high milage motors? know anything about that...

[Feedman]

I also heard that you shouldn't use syth on high milage motors? know anything about that...

Yes b/c of its thinnier properties, there is more clearance between bearings/gaskets/rings/etc on high milage engines that will allow the oil to slip though without proper lubrication. Switching from convential to a synthetic won't do you any good. It needs to be synthetic from the beginning. 8)

[Feedman]

I would think that synthetic would mess up the bearings in an engine the same as a turbo? And as long as you changed your oil at proper intervals I don't see what the point of having synthetic would be?

Just one mfr...

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_motoroil.asp?productID=53&synthFlash=1

Speakers on. 8)

[daveb91]

I will not be using synthetic oil i have always used a reg oil and have changed it regularly and have never had a internal engine failure. I have no need in paying the extra price. Also most of the people who raced cars who responded to this said that they use reg 40w and have shown wear with the redline oils even people who were sponsered by redline and got it for free they would mix it with reg 40w.

[narfdanarf]

Yeah I know we always ran conventional in my dirtbike which had to spin to like a little over 10k rpms. Everyone in biking recommends against synthetic?

[ShortysTRM]

hell yeah, cool presentation. I still don't agree that there is no reason to switch to synthetic, especially if you like to go 4 or 5K without swapping it out. I switched to Royal Purple approx. 5-6 years ago, and as far as I can remember, I have used synthetic ever since. It doesn't make any sense to me that if you use conventional for the first 1-3000 miles, you're doing it right, but if you switch too late, the superior lubricating properties of synthetics cannot be utilized...? :? That sounds like one of those excuses that some old mechanic would say as to why he thinks "it's silly to pay that much for oil, it's all the same."

[Don juan futon]

I would think that synthetic would mess up the bearings in an engine the same as a turbo? And as long as you changed your oil at proper intervals I don't see what the point of having synthetic would be?

You're right. It won't matter as long as you change your oil regularly. Synthetics just take longer to break down. Simple as that. Basically, the longer you can go without an oil change. But I won't do that. Too iffy if you ask me.

[Jay]

Ive allways used 20/50 cept in the winter.. high volume oil pump + cold weather = bad starting ~ im not a big fan of synthetic.. the new corvettes come with it, but everything ive read about it suggests that you use regular oil once you change it.. *shrug* I really think its one of those things where for every bad thing you can say about one another person can say bad about another. Im not sure what's better or worse, I just know what Ive used for years an never had a problem with so I see no need in changing.