Anyone else run 5.5 quarts?

[eschoendorff]

I always run 5.5 quarts of oil in my 93 LT1 (okay, they dipstick shows oil right at the "O" of the words "Operating range" just for comparison) because I participate in some Autox and track events during the summer.

Now I'm starting to wonder... is this a good practice? I haven't had any problems yet, but if one more thing goes wrong on this car, Mrs. eschoendorff is not gonna be happy

.

I know that his topic has been covered a little in the past (I searched the archives), but I am wondering if anyone else keeps their crankcase overfilled all summer like I do.

Any thoughts?

 

[Robertwav1]

From what I recall I always did put 5.5 quarts in my 93 LT1. The 5 quarts just don't fill it. It may be slightly over with 5.5 but I have never found it to be a problem.

 

[Vettelt193]

LT1's are a 4.5 quart engine. From what I understand, 5 qts is ok, 5.5 may be too much

 

[tlong]

5.5 with filter change puts me at the top of the crosshatch.

 

[Vettelt193]

I've run 5.5 before, and the dipstick shows VERY high... are you sure you aren't putting in 4.5? or have a bigger oil pan or filter?

 

[eschoendorff]

From what I recall I always did put 5.5 quarts in my 93 LT1. The 5 quarts just don't fill it. It may be slightly over with 5.5 but I have never found it to be a problem.

I don't think I asked my original question very well. Let me try a different way...

I am overfilling it on purpose. 5 quarts takes my LT1 to the top of the crosshatch, but 5.5 puts it up to the "O" of "Operating range." I do this because I put my car on the track periodically (and autox too) and the high g's can starve the engine of oil. Many have told me to go 1/2 -3/4 quarts over full for track and autox days. I am just questioning leaving that oil in the crankcase. If it's ok to do for a track day, does it hurt to leave it in there? Since I participate in track activities, i have just been overfilling by +- 1/2 quart as a general rule so that I don't have to worry about it on a track day. Is this maybe not such a good idea? :confused

 

[tlong]

Don't overfill per manual.

 

[Vettelt193]

I don't think I asked my original question very well. Let me try a different way...

I am overfilling it on purpose. 5 quarts takes my LT1 to the top of the crosshatch, but 5.5 puts it up to the "O" of "Operating range." I do this because I put my car on the track periodically (and autox too) and the high g's can starve the engine of oil. Many have told me to go 1/2 -3/4 quarts over full for track and autox days. I am just questioning leaving that oil in the crankcase. If it's ok to do for a track day, does it hurt to leave it in there? Since I participate in track activities, i have just been overfilling by +- 1/2 quart as a general rule so that I don't have to worry about it on a track day. Is this maybe not such a good idea? :confused

I was trying to say overfilling by a half qt is ok, but they are a 4.5 qt fill, so 5 should be a half qt. over. 5.5 is a bit much, ok for the track, but not so good for day to day driving

 

[Ken]

Don't overfill per manual.

Agreed! And don't forget about windage - if you have too high a level of oil in the pan, the crankshaft whipping through the air can cause foaming of the oil. Oil foaming of course will starve the pump of oil, and lack of proper lubrication to critical parts of the engine will result.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Agreed! And don't forget about windage - if you have too high a level of oil in the pan, the crankshaft whipping through the air can cause foaming of the oil. Oil foaming of course will starve the pump of oil, and lack of proper lubrication to critical parts of the engine will result.

What Ken said. Do not over fill.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I don't think you'll have a problem. Many cars I have had will read that they are overfilled when you put in what the factory says to put in! For example, I haven't found an oil filter yet that will take a full quart of oil, even though the GM manuals say to add a quart when you change the filter. I have also heard the same advice about adding a little extra if you do autocross or track work.

Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[Edmond]

What about those guys who overfill when they do track work? Do they always drain the extra out after the event?

 

[maxwellgood]

I just changed the oil on my 95 for the first time. I put in 4.5 qts. The dipstick (no pun intended) read below the full line so I added another 1/2 qt. still a little below the line but I'm leary of going any further. What do you think?

 

[Hardlight]

The first time I heard about adding an extra 1/2 qt for track work was when reading about the LT-4. Apparently the LT-4 had a windage problem at high lateral g ,high >5500 rpm and the oil drain back rate, the oil level might get low enough for the pump to suck air..not good.

 

[Achilles]

I just changed the oil on my 95 for the first time. I put in 4.5 qts. The dipstick (no pun intended) read below the full line so I added another 1/2 qt. still a little below the line but I'm leary of going any further. What do you think?

4.5 qts. reads slightly over "Add" on the dipstick of my 95. I put in almost 5 qts. Probably closer to 4 3/4 to be exact.