Anybody using Mobil 1 Synthetic oil in their 5k's? The only oil thats been used in my 85 5k is castrol, and i just bought a case of mobil 1. Will i see any benefits from the change?

I actually just put it in for the first time myself. They say the synthetic stuff is so good, it'll actually unclog deposits your old oil's been leaving, possibly giving you an oil leak where you never knew you had one before. But for my other cars (68 Mustang, 91 camaro) it actually helped the engine run cooler and you don't have to worry about going over the 3000 miles limit as much.
audifans.com has a buncha people who left mail about it though. check em out.

15-50 in my 5000 for 2 years without any problems at all. Good stuff! Only leaks I have are at the back of the valve cover due to an old worn valve cover gasket. Other than that my engines been leak free for 30K+ with Mobil 1!

By the way, If you're going to start using better oil, then make sure you're using good filters too. Mann, Mahle, VW/Audi, Bosch, Duestch all make decent filters....

Steve Ankney
88 5000
Holland, MI

same as some of the bosch filters I've seen on the shelves of the local autozone that were crap too.. rebranded frams if I remember correctly.

-tom

There's a couple of people on the older model forums that use Duestch/Bosch filters with good results. Miktip being one of them. Do you know some "inside" info or something regarding those filters that you would like to share with the rest of us? I've never heard of Bosch or Duestch filters being marketed as rebranded Frams...? In fact they seem to be relatively similar construction wise to the Mann filter I have sitting in front of me. In fact you've piqued my interest and tommorow I'm going to go and get a Bosch and Duestch filter and cut open all three and see what the major differences are construction wise...

Steve Ankney
88 5000
Michigan

A couple weeks ago, after I cleared up a little "issue" with oil remaining *inside* the engine I needed a filter. Didn't think ahead to order a good replacement so I stopped by the local Autozone to check out filters. As far as the parts store special filters go, the Puralator and Motorcraft (yeah, I know the little blue Ford oval raises some eye brows - especially on an imported car) appear to be best made. The gaskets are usually of quality material and they incorporate drainback valves for those applications where the OEM filter does.

In marked contrast, the Fram, Deutsch, and Bosch look very poor. Flimsy gasket, rough machining / stamping, and lack of the drainback valve. It is entirely possible that there are different variations of the Bosch filters - one for hill billy parts stores, another for OEMs - but the ones I saw were truly junk. There is a page comparing them that I'm sure you've seen.. just can't find the URL right now.

Have a look when you get a chance. I found it funny that the prices varied by a couple bucks for what appeared to be the same filter. FWIW, I got another of the evil triplets - STP brand, since it was cheapest @ ~$2 :-) Have a Mann to spin on in its place when the clutch goes back together in the next couple days. I can see the purists cringing already.


Where are you at Steve? Going to the Run-offs this weekend?

-tom

I'm in Holland, Michigan. What and where exactly are the Run-offs you mentioned in your post?

I have noticed that alot of the Bosch parts that you get at Autozone do differ in quality or construction compared to thier counterparts at a more specialized parts store. It is quite possible that the Bosch filters may vary from location to location.

As far as the oil filter comparisons go, I was to lazy today to go down to the local Autozone and compare the filters like I wanted to do:)Maybe I'll get around to it this weekend...?

Steve Ankney
88 5000
Michigan

Great racing, great track, great time...

-tom
Dearborn, MI

I just went to an SCCA event at Gratton, MI 2 weeks ago. I don't think I'll have time to go to this one though. Too much homework! I did go to Mid Ohio last month for the ALMS race and Mid Ohio looks like an awesome track. Have fun!

BY the way, the Lakes Region of the QCUSA is having a track event at Gingerman raceway in South Haven, MI mid OCT. You going to this? I think I'm going for sure...

Steve Ankney
88 5000
Michigan

hmm, tempting. I've been planning on attending an event at Gratton Oct. 6/7, sponsored by the Lotus club. Been to Gingerman a couple times already - fun track. Have any contact info for the QCUSA event?