All, I'm a newb and have used the search function and have come up with two answers so far: LS6 engines require an oil with sufficient zinc content or conventional oil plus a supplement oil with zinc. As for the LS5 which is what I have, I have only been able to find recommendations for 10W-30 or 10W-40. I have always run synthetic in all my cars but in this case is conventional better? Since I'm a new Chevelle owner and also new to cars of this age I'm not sure what is best, do I need any zinc content for my application? I just want to run the best possible oil and filter comnation so any advice is greatly appreciated!

Amy
'70 SS 454 Vert

AMY,I sent you an email that will ans all your oil questions with respect your flat tappet cam'd bbc's oil needs.

Yes your motor needs zinc & Phos /ZDDP if it's still running a flat tappet cam.

The issue is many of todays motor oils like 10-30- & 10-40 dont have enough zddp in them due to emmissions/epa-gov regs and thats where the problem has been witjh the oils and flat tappet cam'dmotors in genral.

butover past yr or so there hav e been new oils & oil additives on the market with elevated zddp zddp lvls specifically mfg for flat tappet cam'd motors which is a good thing for us.

That info of latest oils & oil additives on the market today with proper zddp lvls for flat tappet cams is included in the info i sent to your email adress.

But off the top of my head you can go with valvolines VR1 10w-30 or 20w-50 race oils or chevrons delo 15w-40 (Gas & diesel oil) that are all avail in autozone/advanced auto/pep boys/ & some other stores too. They do in fact have decent zddp lvls to protect a stock to fairly hot flat tappet cam. But dont confuse std valvoline oils for the VR1 race oils i am reffering to,it must say Valvoline VR1 race oil on the container.

Scott

Thanks a ton Scott, that really helps. I had actually read a bunch of your posts using the search function for this topic but I still wasn't sure if the info applied to my engine, now I know, and thanks for clearing things up for me!

Amy,NP,glad to have helped.

Just wanted to add to not use low lvl/cheapest Farm oil filters because they have had issue in the past .

But for your stock to mild LS5 454 any Napa/wix ,Carquest top of the line oil filter which i believe are wix filters too,K&N,etc are fine.

The older generation AC filters like std capacity PF25 or larger capacity PF35 (slightly onger-holding more oil) were good too if you can find them as old stock in some not so busy stores and or online maybe on ebay.

BTW,if your into the original looking proper oil filters you can buy them from GM parts direct online @ approx 1/2 price of aftermarket /resto catalogs.

PF25-PT#19187300

PF35-PT#19187301

Scott

Thanks again Scott. You guys around here have been a great help to a newb like me! :)

Use whatever quality brand you like... just add a bottle of GM EOS (Engine Oil Supplement)