83 911 My porsche tech recommends NON synthetic????

[uksailmaker]

Anybody use NON synthetic in their 911.... And thank you in advance... love the forum

I am a new Porsche owner since June 2010 and love my 1983 911. I have driven BMW for 25 years and switched to Synthetic 10 years ago. However I did have a 72 Vette and the old Vette owners use NON synthetic because of leaks.

All 911 owners in forums seems to say go Synthetic.

My Indy mechanic born in Germany only works on Porsche and BMW for 30 years.

Any thoughts on his recommendation to use Valvoline 20-50 NON synthetic in an 83 911. He says the synthetics leak too much and if changed often no problems.

Also in Florida with heat. 911 will be used for around town city driving on trips less than 100 miles per outing.

I would feel better with synthetic and a few leaks.... any thought from long time 911 lovers.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by uksailmaker

Any thoughts on his recommendation to use Valvoline 20-50 NON synthetic in an 83 911. He says the synthetics leak too much and if changed often no problems.
.

I agree. I just use a high quality nonsynthetic and use conservative oil/filter changes. Lots of 911 owners here use nonsynthetic oils (Brad Penn, etc.). Nonsynthetic oils certainly won't cause any "problems," many 911s have gone hundreds of thousands of miles on them for 40 decades now.

[James Brown]

Your mech is right, it's a question of what is in the oil as in wear additives (in non synthetic) vs.synthetic. And MOST older Porsche owners use a good deno oil with the the right amounts of ZDDP to protect wear on metal to metal engine parts. Many more will chime in and be prepared to do a lot of reading.

[uksailmaker]

Originally Posted by James Brown

Your mech is right, it's a question of what is in the oil as in wear additives (in non synthetic) vs.synthetic. And MOST older Porsche owners use a good deno oil with the the right amounts of ZDDP to protect wear on metal to metal engine parts. Many more will chime in and be prepared to do a lot of reading.

Thank you guys. I was feeling like maybe my 55 year old tech was living in the past. I feel much better now.

My brother owned a BMW dealership so at 52 years old I have had all the BMWs including M5 and still have a 2000 740i Sport Package for trips or passengers. A 1991 535 manual for Daily Driver. Wife has 540 wagon. Recently bought a Nissan 300zx vert for fun.

But I have been looking for a 911 for 5 years and either too cheap to buy a nice one or did not want a project. In May I bought a 928 mint condition while looking for a 911 and then in June found the 1983 911 cabriolet with rebuild engine, clutch, new wheels and tires etc and everything up to date for the right price.

I am hooked big time and have the 911 fevor. True what they say... most fun with clothes

The wife is getting the 740 and her 540 wagon, 928 and 300zx is for sale so I can add a coupe and money to maintain a 83 vert and coupe

[racer]

If you change it frequently enough, it likely doesn't matter. Especially if you are keeping temps under 240 degrees.

[nesslar]

Quite sure Brad Penn is semi-synthetic anyway. I'm using dino, with good levels of the good additives, and little leaks are essentially gone. ...unless I spill some which makes it "look" like there's a leak...
Car seems happier and quieter as well, valve train speaking-wise. Ain't my imagination, either.

[Flieger]

Ultimate Motor Oil Thread or Why we hate CJ4/SM oils

[Hetmann]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I agree. I just use a high quality nonsynthetic and use conservative oil/filter changes. Lots of 911 owners here use nonsynthetic oils (Brad Penn, etc.). Nonsynthetic oils certainly won't cause any "problems," many 911s have gone hundreds of thousands of miles on them for 40 decades now.

That's 400 years!

[nineball]

he is most likely telling you to use valvoline vr-1 20w50. it was on sale a few months back for half off at auto zone and a lot of people stocked up. it was sent in for independent testing and came back with good results. stick with that or brad penn and your car will love you.

[80-911SC]

[QUOTE=uksailmaker;5480874]

All 911 owners in forums seems to say go Synthetic.

What forums are you looking at, you didn't see that here !!!!!!!!!

[CT944]

Sounds like you found a good mechanic!

[porschenut]

Provided you change your oil at least once a year or every 5k or so, I see no advantage whatsoever in using synthetic oil.

[nesslar]

Yep, and maybe your car will be around for 40 decades as well.....

[nineball]

Originally Posted by nesslar

Yep, and maybe your car will be around for 40 decades as well.....

i kinda doubt anyone will be able to find parts in 400 years....

[sabeo.m]

Engine:

Valvoline VR-1 20/50 (or) Brad Penn 20/50 * (BP, my first choice)

Transmission:

Kendall NS-MP Hypoid Gear Lubricant GL-5 80/90 (or) Swepco 201 * (Kendall, my first choice)

[Por_sha911]

First of all, welcome to Pelican. There is always room for another Porsche lover.

Next, keep in mind that there are two things you need from your oil: the right "package of additives" and quality base stock going in, and a good level of additives, lubricity, and shear strength coming out. Or in other words, some oils don't have enough ZDDP going. Others (like Castrol GTX 20W50) break down to 10W30 way too soon. Do a search (the search button contains a wealth of knowledge and is your best friend) and you'll find folks that have done UOA (used oil analysis) to find out which ones hold up.

Finally, we have an unofficial custom around here that newbies post a pic of their pride and joy so show us your new ride and let us ooh and ah over it.