Confused on LT1 oil capacity

wrd1972 · 10-07-2009, 11:11 AM

I am using the standard size K&N oil filter along with M1. Is the capacity 4.5 quarts or 5 quarts? I was told 5 quarts.

I put 5 quarts in last night and the level on the dipstick is about 1/8" above the crosshatch area. Therfore according to the dipstick, its barely overfilled.

What is the correct oil capacity on LT1 and when is it overfilled?

Jperran · 10-07-2009, 11:24 AM

When I bought my car it didn't have an owners manual, when I went to the parts store their system said 4.96 quarts of 5w30.

AChotrod · 10-07-2009, 12:15 PM

my manuals say 5qts

SS RRR · 10-07-2009, 01:03 PM

Not all dipsticks are created equal.

wrd1972 · 10-07-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS RRR

Not all dipsticks are created equal.

I dont know how exactly to intemperate that.

camar0corey · 10-07-2009, 01:42 PM

Awesome.

I've always used 5 quarts.

hitmanws6 · 10-07-2009, 01:56 PM

the general rule of thumb most people follow is 5.5 with the short filter, and 6 with the long. personally i run 6 with the oversized truck filter

shbox · 10-07-2009, 01:58 PM

Here is what the owner's manuals actually say and it is not going to help the confusion any:

1993
Camaro/Firebird 4.5

1994
Camaro/Firebird 5.0

1995
Camaro 4.5, Firebird 5.0

1996
Camaro 4.5, Firebird 5.0

1997
Camaro/Firebird 5.0

This is with filter change if the manual mentions it.

Just fill it to the full mark on your particular dipstick.

Mine has always been perfect with 5 qts at filter change (using the old short filter).

wrd1972 · 10-07-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shbox

Here is what the owner's manuals actually say and it is not going to help the confusion any:

1993
Camaro/Firebird 4.5

1994
Camaro/Firebird 5.0

1995
Camaro 4.5, Firebird 5.0

1996
Camaro 4.5, Firebird 5.0

1997
Camaro/Firebird 5.0

This is with filter change if the manual mentions it.

Just fill it to the full mark on your particular dipstick.

Shoe,
Would you lose any sleep if the level was 1/8" above the full indicator on the dipstick?

AChotrod · 10-07-2009, 02:34 PM

Thats strange that the camaro and firebirds have different amounts, but mine is a 96 Bird so the manual says 5, and my haynes says 5 for all Im pretty sure.

MasterTomos · 10-07-2009, 03:05 PM

I've done oil changes with all kinds of filters (Wix, ACDelco, Fram, K&N, you name it...) on both my car (95 formula) and a list of others as well..94 TA, 96 Z28, 95 Z28, 96 Impala SS...them and every LT1 car I worked on at the Lube express took exactly 5 quarts too...

I'm guna go with 5 quarts...

shbox · 10-07-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrd1972

Shoe,
Would you lose any sleep if the level was 1/8" above the full indicator on the dipstick?

No...

Badazz 97 TA · 10-07-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrd1972

I am using the standard size K&N oil filter along with M1. Is the capacity 4.5 quarts or 5 quarts? I was told 5 quarts.

I put 5 quarts in last night and the level on the dipstick is about 1/8" above the crosshatch area. Therfore according to the dipstick, its barely overfilled.

What is the correct oil capacity on LT1 and when is it overfilled?

did you run the engine at all after the 5qts were put in? did you fill the filter before you installed it?

run the engine for a minute, turn it off, let it sit for a minute or two then check the level.

Wooshie · 10-07-2009, 07:30 PM

I use the long filter with 6 qts and have never had an issue. It is about an 1/8th" above the full mark.

Jperran · 10-07-2009, 08:33 PM

Which long filter is it? Mobil 1 part #? And it fits fine?

Spartan7 · 10-07-2009, 08:39 PM

I just dump in 4 quarts, start it, then fill it until I hit the full line. Usually comes up to just under 5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AChotrod

Thats strange that the camaro and firebirds have different amounts, but mine is a 96 Bird so the manual says 5, and my haynes says 5 for all Im pretty sure.

That is wierd. My Camaro and T/A both took the same amount though. Maybe different cap. filters from the factory?

Raven97 · 10-07-2009, 09:04 PM

I use the longer M1 filter #302 IIRC I fill the filter up before intallation and then add about5 quarts to the valve cover All in all I use 5.5-5.75 quarts.

wrd1972 · 10-07-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badazz 97 TA

did you run the engine at all after the 5qts were put in? did you fill the filter before you installed it?

run the engine for a minute, turn it off, let it sit for a minute or two then check the level.

Yeah I fired it up, checked for pressure (good), then checked the level. Still 1/8" above the crosshatch.

I actually did not fill the filter, simply forgot although I know its preferable.

~BuMps AloT~ · 10-07-2009, 09:20 PM

I use about 5.5 quarts mobil 1, but i do use the over sized filter.

95ls1formula · 10-07-2009, 09:25 PM

I use 6 qts with a long mobil 1 filter.