what motor oil should I use?

[trainedlungs7]

I have a stock b18 in my 91 DA Integra with less than 30k miles on it, Im lookn 2 squeeze as much performance out of the b18 as it can give me. What's the best motor oil I should use?

[96LS]

Use whatever your budget allows I use synthetic and love it, but it can be very expensive

[trainedlungs7]

yah i used synthetic on the motor tht i had b4 but the rings n seals went out n it startd burning oil like crazy so i startd using thicker 10w-40. i jus wanna keep this motor running strong make it a vtec killah

[Danielb0210]

Originally Posted by 96LS

Use whatever your budget allows I use synthetic and love it, but it can be very expensive

I agree I think synthetic would be your best choice, but the price can get pretty expensive.

[C1Civic]

If you put some heavy use on it, like track use, I would recommend a 10w40 synthetic like amsoil.

[tico_ek9]

whatever's on sale!

[jdmjim]

yeah i doubt the synthetic had anything to do with your old motor going out, but get some mobil 1 from walmart. thats what i do.

[trainedlungs7]

yah the seals were worn dwn whn I bought the car it was jus a mater of time b4 they went completely out I jus wantd 2 take really good care of it n use synthetic but it gets burnt up alot quicker thn non syn oil so I switcht 2 castrol gtx high mileage 10w-40

[Subdriver]

Originally Posted by trainedlungs7

... take really good care of it n use synthetic but it gets burnt up alot quicker thn non syn oil so I switcht 2 castrol gtx high mileage 10w-40

I wouldn't draw the conclusion that all synthetics get "burnt up" a lot faster than conventional oils. All synthetics are not equal. The API has not come out and defined what is "synthetic", but rather, classified oils into five major groups.

Group I base oils are the least refined of all of the groups. They are usually a mix of different hydrocarbon chains with little or no uniformity. While some automotive oils use these stocks, they are generally used in less demanding applications.

Group II base oils are common in mineral based motor oils. They have fair to good performance in the areas of volatility, oxidation stability, wear prevention and flash/fire points. They have only fair performance in areas such as pour point and cold crank viscosity. Group II base stocks are what the majority of engine oils are made from. 3000 mile oil changes are the norm.

Group III base oils are subjected to the highest level of refining of all the mineral oil stocks. Although not chemically engineered, they offer improved performance in a wide range of areas as well as good molecular uniformity and stability. By definition they are considered a synthesized material and can be used in the production of synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants. Group III is used in the vast majority of full synthetics or synthetic blends. They are superior to group I and II oils but still have limitations. Some formulations are designed for extended oil changes. AMSOIL XL Motor Oils, Castrol Syntec and many others fall into this category.

Group IV are polyalphaolefins (PAO) which are a chemically engineered synthesized basestocks. PAOs offer excellent stability, molecular uniformity and performance over a wide range of lubricating properties. AMSOIL SAE Synthetic Motor Oils and Mobil 1 primarily use group IV basestocks (though recent info posted on the oil forum indicates that Mobil 1 is also now using a significant proportion of Group III basestock). PAO is a much more expensive basestock than the highly refined petroleum oil basestock of Group III.

Group V base oils are also chemically engineered stocks that do not fall into any of the categories previously mentioned. Typical examples of group V stocks are Esters, polyglycols and silicone. Red Line uses an ester basestock.

Additionally, the volatility of each companies motor oils varies significantly as can be seen in the NOACK Volitility test on this AMSOIL commissioned test:
Comparative Motor Oil Test Nov 05

I suspect that if you went from the Mobil 1 0w40 to the AMSOIL SAE Synthetic Premium Protection 10w40 you'd find your burn off is significantly improved. And, as a benefit other than the Group IV PAO basestock this fluid uses, it has high levels of ZDDP anti-wear additives. Illustrative of this point is this oils High Temp High Shear rating of 4.3 vs 3.7 for the Mobil 1 0w40. I feel that this rating is a good indicator of how your oil will perform in stressful applications.

[ALlTroTTle]

Originally Posted by tico_ek9

whatever's on sale!

[MickCollinsb16b]

AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 100% synthetic is the best. $11.00 a quart it better be.

[Subdriver]

Originally Posted by MickCollinsb16b

AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 100% synthetic is the best. $11.00 a quart it better be.

For anyone interested, I can get it for you about 25% less than that via the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program. PM if interested.

[Boostedrhdeg]

Just use some royal purple or lucas synthetic.. its a honda. Put mud and there and itll still run