I've been using Chevron 10W-30 from Costco since I first bought my S2000...

Here's the results:
Miles on engine: 18255
Miles on Oil at time of analysis: 4348
Make-up oil added since last oil change: 1.05 qts

Elements in ppm:
Aluminum 3
Chromium 1
Iron 4
Copper 3
Lead 1
Tin 0
Molybdenum 62
Nickel 0
Manganese 0
Silver 0
Titanium 0
Potassium 0
Boron 102
Silicon 4
Sodium 2
Calcium 1652
Magnesium 6
Phosphorus 627
Zinc 758
Barium 0

Properties:
SUS Viscosity @ 210 F: 56.9
Flashpoint in degrees F: 400 F
Fuel: <0.5%
Antifreze: 0.0%
Water: 0.0%
Insolubles: 0.3%

Per Blackstone Labs, the oil was in good shape physically, containing no moisture, fuel, or coolant. The air and oil filters are working well too. (I'm using the small Hamp Synergy oil filters from a group buy Speeeding put together a year ago.) They also stated I can safely run my oil until 5000 miles if I wanted to, which I do. Judging by these numbers, I really see no reason to switch over to a synthetic like Mobil 1, or to any other oil. Opinions?

 

An oil analysis doesn't lie. It's obvious what you are using and doing is working well for you. This being the case, no need to change anything unless your driving habits change (ie, more track duty, etc.).

 

That's a great UOA. Chevron makes a good oil, and it is obviously doing a great job on your engine. Chevron Supreme and Havoline get some pretty good reviews at BITOG.

Thanks for posting!

 

Nice to see a dino performing so well. Before I went syn (majority mobil 1 with one stint redline) that is what I used. Chevron

 

thanks for the feedback guys. I was pleasantly surprised as to the results.

I'm actually starting to think that a lot of people might be paying a large premium for their synthetic oil with no real added benefit. the numbers don't lie. if I can get the same level of protection as afforded by supposedly "superior" synthetics at a significant discount, why switch? there may be a number of engines with different properties that benefit better from a synthoil, but maybe ours isn't one of them? well atleast in this case, anyway. I might change my mind 10K down the road, if I see the #s changing.

p.s.-- where's Road Rage these days? does he still post here? I remember there was once a time when one couldn't make a post about oils without his insightful input. it'd be a damn shame if s2ki has lost his expertise.

 

I'm in the same school of thought as you. I don't doubt that synthetic's are superior. But in road cars, does it matter? It's kind of similar to people who leave their computers on 24-7 to save "wear-and-tear", imho.

I use Castrol 10W-30.

 

OK, what test did you pay Blackstone Labs to run? I am interested in doing the same. I run LE 8130 and would love to see what they have to say.

 

I was just on the phone with "Avi" from your area. I indicated to him that if I were NA and lived where you live, I'd most likely be running a dino oil myself.
For my climate and for my supercharger, I need the better flow characteristics of a synthetic.

 

Yup, might well be. Depends on a ton of factors, but the car was obviously designed to work just fine on "dino oil".

I track my car extensively, so I use the synthetic stuff to (hopefully) help with high heat issues.

 

Is there any truth to the idea that synthetic, say Mobil 1 10W-30 will yield a couple extra HP versus a dino of the same weight?

Or how about a synthetic 0W-20 or some other light-weight to gain a few HP, but still have decent protection from synthetic properties?