[V8] RE: Dino vs Synthetic Oil

[Stafford, Kenneth A.]

> As a testament to using synthetic oil in an IC engine -
>  
> My 1986 Jetta GLI w/ 240K has always used synthetic oil since 
> new.  My oil change interval was 18-14K.
>  
> I have never had the engine open for ANY mechanical issues. 
> (ok, valve guide seals and oil pan gasket).
>  

Counterpoint:  My 91 V8 w/ 225K has never seen syn oil and, in fact, has
suffered whatever dino oil the local discount place had on sale.  Oil/filter
(Mann's @$8/ea through 1-800-VWPARTS) interval 5K.

It has also never been opened up at ALL.  I fill it to the "full" mark on the
dipstick (~10 qts).  Have never had it below the "add" mark before 5K.

IMO/E, the syn is definitely better, but with the huge oil capacity and
superb oil cooling system of our V8s, dino works fine and is more cost
effective. (15K = 20qts @ $1 vs 14qts @ $4--assuming syn burns at about the
same rate and is changed at 15K).  But then again, I am that guy that has
burned 87 oct for the 120K that I have owned the car, turn my own UFOs, fixed
my own Bose,...cheap-cheap-cheap...YMMV!

BTW, I did use syn in my Fiat 124 Spt Cpe from 150K to 250K--then quit when
it started burning a qt every 2K.

Ken