Question: LS7 oil level

16590 Views 11 Replies 10 Participants Last post by eamador11_9357, 2 mo ago

MiamiCowboy

Discussion Starter · May 20, 2010

Building miles on my 09 Z06 and preparing for 1st oil and filter change. In reading the oil level the manual says that oil within the cross hatched area is normal operating conditions and to add a quart only when the oil is below the cross hatched area. My question is if the oil level can vary in the cross hatched area between one check and another at a different times. It seems that there is a wide variance between the top of the cross hatched area and the bottom. Is each hole on the dip stick a quart?

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Terry S

· #2 · May 20, 2010 (Edited)

I don't think the oil level will vary other than go down as it uses some oil. I think the reason thay say do not add if in the crosshatched area it to keep someone from adding a full quart when it is less than a quart down and over filling it. I do not see any harm in adding at any time as long as you do not over fill it.

I believe the reason for the length of the crosshatched area is just due to the diameter of the oil tank. Maybe someone here knows for sure but I think it is 1qt. low when at the bottom of the crosshatched area.

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george

· #3 · May 20, 2010 (Edited)

My 06 Z06 uses 8 quarts inlcuding the filter. Your cars oil capacity may be more since it's newer so check your manual. Both are dry sump motors so check the oil level at 175 degrees or whatever your owners manual suggests on level surface. I check mine at minimum 175-185 degrees after each oil & filter change or during any dip stick checks. I use a FilterMag as well on my oil filter.

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MiamiCowboy

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 20, 2010

Thanks for the feedback.

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NORTY

· #5 · May 21, 2010

george said:
My 06 Z06 uses 8 quarts inlcuding the filter. Your cars oil capacity may be more since it's newer so check your manual. Both are dry sump motors so check the oil level at 175 degrees or whatever your owners manual suggests on level surface. I check mine at minimum 175-185 degrees after each oil & filter change or during any dip stick checks. I use a FilterMag as well on my oil filter.

I can't seem to get my oil temp up to 185F no matter what I do! It usually runs about 150F when driving.

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Wes Burmark

· #6 · May 29, 2010

Question for 09 and 10 owners. Did your Z06s come with a larger drysump tank? If so how many quarts does it hold? I heard the 06-08 tanks were too small to safely track the cars even in bone stock conditions. Rather disappointing!

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zeta08

· #7 · Jun 27, 2010

I'm not so sure that's the oil can's fault. It may be the oiling route and pressure itself.

I run oil at 1/2 way up the dipstick in my 08 and have not had any issues yet with several track days. I guess it's the long lefty turns that are the worst.

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paulmaraz

· #8 · Jul 21, 2010

MY 2009 HAS A 10 QUART DRY SUMP SYSTEM. She was low one quart when I took delivery. the dealer added a full quart. I now have 6500 miles and she has used another quart. The first oil change is still 3500 miles away. She runs great, no smoke, no overheating. I live in Arizona. It has been as high as 120 degrees F here and she holds 60 lbs. of pressure and the oil temp goes as high as 232 degrees F. So any comments are welcome.

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jtbarnet

· #9 · Jul 21, 2010

since you have a dry sump system...the tank is really much larger than what most think, and no each line in NOT a quart, right after you go thru you complete change (oil and filter) go right back book on checking, watch the time and oil temp....then check...you will have a base to check in future....my 08 (I have noticed) can change a lot in just a few minutes and temp change.....
"Never Too Much Horsepower"
Jim

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MikesZ06

· #10 · Jul 21, 2010

paulmaraz said:
MY 2009 HAS A 10 QUART DRY SUMP SYSTEM. She was low one quart when I took delivery. the dealer added a full quart. I now have 6500 miles and she has used another quart. The first oil change is still 3500 miles away. She runs great, no smoke, no overheating. I live in Arizona. It has been as high as 120 degrees F here and she holds 60 lbs. of pressure and the oil temp goes as high as 232 degrees F. So any comments are welcome.

Only one real solution I can see.
Donate that dog to some worthy person here on the site and be done with it. :yeadog:

I'll pm you my address and the best time to ship

Mike

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zeta08

· #11 · Jul 21, 2010

paulmaraz said:
MY 2009 HAS A 10 QUART DRY SUMP SYSTEM. She was low one quart when I took delivery. the dealer added a full quart. I now have 6500 miles and she has used another quart. The first oil change is still 3500 miles away. She runs great, no smoke, no overheating. I live in Arizona. It has been as high as 120 degrees F here and she holds 60 lbs. of pressure and the oil temp goes as high as 232 degrees F. So any comments are welcome.

OK... I changed my oil first at 1700 miles because I think 10,000 miles is a ridiculous distance on a new engine's oil. I changed it again at 5000, now go about 3-5000 if I track the car, and would go as long as 7500 if I don't. I'm still using Mobil 1. I've analyzed the oil twice and everything looks great at 17,000 now. I have an 08. I do note a slightly high iron level in the oil but not worrisome. The lab I test with agreed with my oil change interval FWIW. If I went 10,000 miles ('08 rec change interval is 7,500 IIRC) the iron level would be a bit high, I think. Although, I'm not sure that would really hurt the engine. It would just lie out of the averages for the LS7.

...Yes, I know, GM engineers wrote the manual...And I'm sure they think 5W-30 is the best oil for the LS7 too (at least stateside ; )). :lol:.

I assume 60PSI with hot oil is when you are on the throttle? Mine goes down to low 20's at idle, but is about 60 when revving at high temp. 232F is not too bad for a max temp IMHO. And frankly, at 120F ambient, 232 in a 505hp engine is pretty damn good.

I hope you enjoyed my comments :coo:

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eamador11_9357

· #12 · 2 mo ago

NORTY said:
I can't seem to get my oil temp up to 185F no matter what I do! It usually runs about 150F when driving.

Thats because the oil temp sensor is at the sump not the engine block

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