Hi all, I did a search and couldn't find the answer to this. I did an oil change yesterday and was wondering how much oil to use. (as simple and stupid as that sounds)

As far as parts that need more oil; I have a Vortech, AAM pan spacer, and GTM oil cooler. The factory Z's capacity is supposed to be 5 quarts, the pan spacer supposedly adds a quart, and so does the oil cooler. That adds up to 7 quarts. Well I just poured one jug of Mobil 1 in (5.28 quarts) and was obviously expecting for it to take more after I checked it. Well I checked it before starting up this morning, and the dip stick is saying that its at the perfect level. How accurate is that reading? Should I add more anyway? This was my first oil change with these parts on the car, so the amount it needs is new to me now. I'm sure there are people on here with the same or similar setups, and people in who know more than me about this in general, so any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

Unless you drain the oil cooler you shouldn't need more than 6 qts

Did you change the Oil filter?

 

No. The spacer and cooler are full. You do not need more oil.

 

Yes I changed the filter with a K&N.

Ok, so even though I used a good amount less than I should have needed; as long as the dipstick says its in the middle than I should be good? I just wanted to make sure because I know a lot of dipsticks aren't the most exact. A quart here or there isn't a big deal on a stock car, but I definitely don't want to run it low with an FI setup.

 

^ I aim for 3/4 full or above.
+1, I have the same mods (spacer and cooler) and put in 5.5 to 6 quarts.

 

I used 7.5 quarts my last oil change.. imho as long as the stick is reading that ur good, ur good....

 

drive a day then check the oil..if it says good then its good if it says its low then its low and put some oil in...come on bro..

 

I'm not asking how to read a dipstick...bro. I posted a question asking about its accuracy, its even in the title. Apparently its not that obvious of an answer since half the people in here are saying 6 quarts, 3/4 full etc; and the others are saying that as long as the stick says half that its good. If I had put 6 quarts in the car to begin with and it showed mid-level on the stick, then I wouldn't be asking this. The fact that I put much less than I should have and it still says half, is the reason why I am asking for input from others.

 

I see what u are saying but really dont know what more someone can do for you..You own the car and are driving the car and see the car in person..If u take a reading from the dipstick and it says full then its full, nothing to worry about..I beleive someone already said that the oil cooler holds the extra amount ur looking for

 

 

 

I used to put 5 qts in.. Now with a spacer turbo oil sump pump oil lines etc. I use around 7-7.5 qts.. If the dip stick says I'm low then i add... Its as simple as that.. u kno ur car different turbo set ups require different amounts of fluid on a car by car basis.... Accessories play a huge part in capacity... Bottom line add oil drive around. Let sit check stick add if necessary! good luck brother....

 

Wouldn't an oil cooler hold the oil even when the engine was drained? If this theory is true you would need to add say an extra 3/4 quart or so right after you added the oil cooler or whatever accerories in question to your system and then regular oil changes after that. An oil pan spacer would be an exception to this for obvious reasons.

 

That is correct. When you first install the oil cooler, you either pre-fill it with oil or add a little extra oil using the normal method. After that first fill-up, you just need to add ~5 quarts (or ~6 if you have a spacer).

 

Thanks for all the responses. So what I am gathering is that even though I only put in 5.28 quarts instead of 6, that as long as the dipstick is reading in the middle that I am fine? I just don't want to starve this engine for oil when I put it to work...

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but, because the dip stick reads from the top and the oil obviously fills from the bottom then if the oil level is high enough to read full than it should in fact be full. I don't think this is a dumb question. What's dumb is to not ask and mess something up.

 

Also depending on your oil cooler setup, it can drain the oil back in the pan once the engine is shut down. If so, you would actually be low on oil while running.

 

That's what I was thinking. Oil is least an 8 on a 1-10 scale of importance to your engine, and even more so when you stir FI into the mix. So it would be worth it for me to get flamed just to be 100% sure on how much I should be putting in.

I'm not too familiar with different oil cooler setups. The one on my car is the GTM.

http://www.gtmotorsports.com/product...cat=266&page=1