Hey everyone, I am looking for some oil suggestions and/or preferences by some other hotrodders. I have a 468 big block Chevy with probably 1,000 miles on it. It has a solid roller, pump gas compression, and gm iron block and heads. I have around stock bearing clearances, so oil pressure is OK right now with conventional 10w30 oil (16-18 hot, 58-60 cold, south TX heat), and no funny engine noises. I know this subject has been beat to death here, but heres a little more beating.
1. First, would synthetic oil of the same weight be thinner, causing lower oil pressure? Maybe go to 20w50?
2. Do I need a "synthetic" or "special" oil filter to run synthetic oil? I currently use a Wix.
3. What brands of oil to use? I am thinking of Mobil 1, I don't really want to have to order oil online, in the event I should need a quart right now.
4. Should I use synthetic with a solid FLAT TAPPET cam (other car, well past break-in period)?
5. What about change intervals? I'm not so much worried about lubricity, but more worried about the contamination in the oil.
6. Lastly, what do you all think of Mobil clean 5000 oil for conventional oil? is it any good, or would i be better off buying the O'reilly Auto Parts brand if I stuck with conventional oil?

I know there are so many opinions backed-up by facts and oil studies out there, and I have searched this site and read them all. I just couldn't find some of the specific questions I had. Thanks for all the input provided!! This site has helped me so much, thanks to all!!

Oil preferences are subject to debate, opinion, and situation. But as far as performance goes, I just got done talking to a guy whose sponsor (a local racing oil producer) paid for the dyno time to compare their oil against a few other synthetic and conventional racing oil manufacturers at different weights.

It ended up that Brad Penn Racing Oil in the 10w-30 made the best HP then Redline racing oil in the 10w-30 then valvoline full synthetic and then quaker state Q racing oil.

The local manufacturer did not post the results of their oil, I am guessing because it came in dead last.

The difference between first and last was around 25 HP I will post actual numbers if I can get my hands on them.

Hi,
If your going to use a synthetic oil, I would
use mobile one, because you can buy it anywhere,
plus it's good, for non synthetic, I would use
Brad Penn, As for the filter, the Wix is top shelf stuff, just like the oil mentioned.
Take care,
Rich