I'm confused , what is the correct oil to use. Someone mentioned15w 40 but the auto parts store says it's for diesel vehicles.
I also saw 20w50 used on a you tube video.
Does the spider have a catalytic converter.
I bought the 20w50 but not sure I bought the right one.
Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
- courtenay
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:41 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000
- Location: Courtenay, BC, Canada
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
Lots of us, including me, use the oil for diesel vehicles because it has the necessary zinc additives that our engines need.
If you do a search on "oil" on the forum, you will get more information than you will ever need on what is hot and what is not for oil.
If you do a search on "oil" on the forum, you will get more information than you will ever need on what is hot and what is not for oil.
Bruce Shearer
'80 Spider Fi
'10 Volvo XC70
'06 GMC 1 Ton PU
'72 Spider a long, long time ago
'80 Spider Fi
'10 Volvo XC70
'06 GMC 1 Ton PU
'72 Spider a long, long time ago
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
if you get an oil without zinc, use an additive. Otherwise the life of your camshafts may be shortened
- RRoller123
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 8179
- Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
- Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
Can you folks list a couple of the additives that you recommend? I am presently using Castrol 20W-50. Thanks. Pete.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
- kmac33
- Posts: 509
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 11:19 am
- Your car is a: 1974 Spider
- Location: Lilburn/Stone Mountain Georgia
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
As stated, if you do a search, you can pull up a number of oil threads that will give you enough information/opinions to make your head spin! For our Spider's engine health, the most important factors are using an oil with healthy zinc levels, changing the oil on the correct schedule and keeping the correct oil level in the engine.
From all of the research I have done over the last couple of years, I found that Shell Rotella has the highest zinc levels.
Redline makes a good additive: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RED-81403/
as does Edelbrock: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-1074/
From all of the research I have done over the last couple of years, I found that Shell Rotella has the highest zinc levels.
Redline makes a good additive: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RED-81403/
as does Edelbrock: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-1074/
Kevin McMullen
1974 Fiat Spider - Restoration Complete! But the mods/refinements continue
1980 Fiat Spider
2013 Subaru WRX
1974 Fiat Spider - Restoration Complete! But the mods/refinements continue
1980 Fiat Spider
2013 Subaru WRX
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
I offer a product call Cam Shield. Besides Rotalla, Castrol GTX has zinc but at a lower level then the Shell oil. Most racing oils are going to have zinc, but they can get pricey
- RRoller123
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 8179
- Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
- Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
Thanks, Mark. That sums it up nicely.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
Is there a catalytic converter on the 84 spider and will the high zinc content in the oil harm it
Re: Motor oil for a 84 fiat spider
there is a cat on the 84 Spider and zinc will shorten its' life. Not using zinc will shorten the life of the camshafts, so pick which one you want to wear out