Maybe you should learn a little about the guy before you knock him. Much of what is recommended is based on actual oil (on VQ engines) analysis and the results are available in spreadsheet form on maxima.org. Did you know that VQ engines show better results by using dino oil for the first 10k miles before switching to synthetic? Again, this claim is made by actual oil analysis. Just trying to help out so do with the it what you will.

 

Yea...I'd sooner run fram filters and the cheapest **** oil I could find and change it ever 2K rather than follow the "filter change" advice. What exactly does "better results" mean? I have the distinct feeling I'm going to regret looking on the maxima site. When it comes to a topic like oil and oil changes, the VQ is not a special engine...it's an engine. Come to think of it, aside from a rotary I couldn't conceive of oil change advice for this engine being much different for any other modern piston engine.

 

I'm not knocking him, just his recommendation as I mentioned

 

I'm knocking him jk

 

Here's a link to the thread that contains the spreadsheet.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=100060

Here's a link to the thread that has some brief info on using dino oil for the first 10k. This thread also has a picture of the OEM 15208-9E000 and the 16208-65F00 filters cut open.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=100060

 

I've been changing my filter on my '88 Supra every 2500 miles, but only draining the pan every 4th filter, or 10,000 miles, for many years now. The engine has 215,000 miles on it and is still going strong. The valve guides are at the end of their life, but, hey, the engine has 215,000 miles on it. Yes, I ran Fram for a long time, but they got replaced every 2500 miles, and they used to be better. I ran 5W50 Castrol Syntec since I could first buy it, about 150,000 miles ago. When I had the head off at about 176,000 for the infamous blown head gasket, I could still see the machine marks on the cylinder walls.

I run the Purolator filter now and can definitely see the difference. The oil pressure stays high for longer; an indication to me the filter has a larger capacity for dirt.

I've also run the PH8A or 30001 filter since the day I bought the car. It's easily 25% bigger than the filter specified for the car. I'm sure that had a lot to do with the engine's long life.

I don't drain the oil out and put it back in. I just spin off the old filter, spin on a new one, and put in about 1 quart oil. I do this cold and don't lose a drop. Now I run half and half 10W40 and 5W50 Syntec and drain the pan every 7500 miles because the engine is old.

It works for me. YMMV. One data point. Anecdotal evidence.

Asterix

 

very very very scary

 

You guys are tooooo funny, do yourself a favor and do a little research on the topic. Here is a good site that talks about nothing but oil:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

This is probably the best site on the web when you are talking about motor oil.

 

hehe....that is not what I meant..silly.

I wasnt advocated draining the oil and then putting same said oil back into the car! I meant...just spin off the oil filter, spin on new filter...and replace the 1/2 quart of whatever that spills out.

 

I gotcha gq - I understand what you mean.

If it works for you guys, go right ahead....just seems that manufacturers and oil filter firms alike could make a small mint by mandating only synth blends or full synths and advocating 4 x the average filter change and make themselves a small fortune.

Asterix - thanks for your post. I too ran the Ph8A on my other Z since, well forever, and its done me well even at close to 600 whp. You are right in that it is also MUCH bigger than the stock filter on my car as well, which is why we did it in the first place.

As with anything else, there is anectodal evidence on all sides of the aisle......you guys dont even want to know the amount of Subaru engines we have have literally self destruct on Amsoil, which many on the net claim to be the be all and end all of oils. Yet on convetional dino's and even some over the counter synths, they engine do just fine....it's another case of YMMV across the board

Adam

 

blah blah blah. Change the oil with a name brand, use a name brand oil filter (the Z calls for) every 4k and you will be fine. I use Mobil 1 5w30 syn w/ m-108 filter. I'm sure my engine will last as long as anyone else's here

 

^ probably the best post in this whole thread!

 

I have to say I find it confusing that everyone seems to want to figure what the best header/plenum/hi-flow cats/cams/twin turbo system..etc but not what the best oil or oil filter is. I know it's not easy with so much contradicting anecdotal evidence floating around but I think it's at least worth trying.

in an unrelated topic, thank you to all the 350z members who jumped on all the new performance mods for the VQ35. Alot of information you've learned is helping us VQ35 owners that for various reasons are driving around with 4 doors and FWD.

 

EXACTLY!! Change the oil and filter often (every 3-4K) and check your oil level every couple of weeks. This is called good automotive care, I'll keep my mouth shut on what just changing an oil filter is

 

this thread is funny LOL but some are very good info