Personally, I would just run the regular Valvoline 10W-30 or the Castrol GTX 10W-30 (not the high mileage stuff). We ran the regular Valvoline 10W-30 in our '92 Olds 88 from the day we bought it with 10k on it, until we sold it with 193k on it, and it never leaked or burned a drop, ever. And that car ran damn good. I used to like the max-life stuff to, but I ran it in my STE for two oil changes, and the thing smoked like crazy, blue smoke would pour everywhere but only under 1500rpm, over that it wouldn't smoke at all. But if you sat at a stoplight and didn't rev it over 1500, after about 30-45 seconds you couldn't see anything or breathe, it was THAT bad. My dad ran out the house one day and chased me down the street after letting it idle in the driveway, and told me not to drive it anymore before I ruined the engine, it was REALLY bad. I thought it was the headgaskets or valveguides so I chagned the heads and it didn't help. (and cost me way too much $) So after I let the cam break in with the regular oil, I started using the Valvoline Dura-Blend, and the car has not smoked AT ALL since I put it in. I have no idea what it did, but maybe a previous owner used synthetic or something, and supposedly once you use synthetic you can't go back to regular for some reason, at least thats what I've read, that could be it. But, I run the Castrol GTX in my Calais, and I'm happy with it. We run the regular Valvoline in the '93 Olds 88 and the '93 GP with no problems. We run the durablend in the SSEi, and Redline in the GTP, and we've had no problems with any of that oil. I would just stay away from synthetics because they help start leaks (unless of course previous owners used it), and honestly, just find the cheapest name brand you can find. Don't go with that dollar store stuff, make sure its a good name like Castrol or Valvoline or Mobile or something, but just run regular dyno oil, I think you will be satisfied.

Shawn

where is the love for Pennzoil?

im thinking about changing over myself[/quote]

What'* your oil looked like since you bought it? Always performed well, been treated right, maintainted right. But once you go to it, you can't switch back and loose the leaks, they'll have to be fixed properly. I noticed a smoother idle, slightly faster reving. Cold starts are nicer as well.

So is tthe Castrol GTX regular oil or synthetic?

You can get it either way... Regular or synthetic.

For your purposes, I highly recommend the regular Castrol GTX. Damn good oil that'* reasonably priced and performs well.

Well I have changed both my cars over to Mobil 1 full synthetic oil. My Malibu was still fairly new ( low mileage ) when I switched it over and my Bonneville had around 180,000 kms on it. I haven't noticed any problems with the Bonneville leaking yet, well only the little bit of leaking that was there in the valve covers before switching.

I will be keeping an eye on it just to make sure though

You can get the oil in regular or synthetic. I use the regular in my Calais (which has 186k on the Quad 4) and that is what I would use in that car too. It is usually pretty cheap too. I think I paid $1.49 for a quart or something like that.

Shawn

I use esso XD-3 exclusively now.. if your'e gong with Castrol.. get German made Castrol.. there was a way of findin out if it was or not.. but can't remember..
I always thought most oil were equal.. WRONG !!! Same with oil filter.

go to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com
and ask there.. there'* lots of pros there that does UOA on every oil kind and changes. Just don't go in and talk bout 180 T-stat.. they're old fashion that way

Bob the oil guy does have some bias' and questionable procedures, but it is a good comparison. Don't take it for gold, but no one else has done this kinda stuff publically.