Any suggestions on the best oil for the 3800 II motor? I'll pay for the good stuff (like synthetic). Like to hear the forum's comments and also any oils to AVOID. Thanks.

 

If you are going to pay for synthetic, Go with Mobil 1. depending on how many miles, use the Mobil 1 High Milage. My LS1 has 202,000 miles, and has been run on mobil 1 since 40,000. and it has NO problems. the only engine work done was oil changes. as far as the 3800 goes, just make sure you use the right viscosity. if you are going to use conventional, I have always like Castrol GTX. also, use an ACDelco oil filter, or if you dont care about the money, use a Mobil 1 filter, or even a bosch. DO NOT use FRAM......

 

Quaker state babyyy

 

Oil brand won't matter much in the grand scheme of things, they are all pretty much the same. Generally I just go with Napa brand Synthetic as its cheaper and is the same stuff as Valvoline, but again brand means nothing and everyone has their favorites.

 

I'll split my response into two parts to keep it sorta unbiased.

If you were to split the major oil brands up into three categories, Good, Better, Best, they'd be organized something like this.

Good:
Havoline
Valoline
Castrol
Quaker State
Motor Craft

Better:
Mobil 1
Mobil Super
Pennzoil
Shell

Best:
Royal Purple
Amzoil
Red Line

Now, all of the good oils meet or slightly exceed API and SAE specs, as well as most manufacture specs. The "better" exceed all of those specs, and the "best" just blow them out the water. Is buying the best really worth it? Honestly, no. Unless your doing circle track or constant drag racing (or very, very harsh stop and go traffic), I wouldn't spend the $10+/quart for them. Now this is where FD statement of brand preference comes into play. Every oil on the market meets the standards set out there, so essentially they are all the same, just others exceed those standards.

Now for the bias, I have always used Mobil 1 and Pennzoil with a Mobil 1 filter or Purolator filter.

 

Oil is oil in my experience as long as you change it when your supose to it really doesn't matter what brand it is.

 

If you are really into oils, make a pot of coffee and read this:
Oil Viscosity Explained