Top 4 of the best oil,s out there

[Roadrage David]

Please put your top 4 oil brands up here, the ones you would use in your hp cars

[fishtail8]

In my street stuff, Mobil 1 for everything.

In the racier stuff, Valvoline 20-50 Racing oil.

In a pinch I'll use Castrol, Esso, or UFA. The UFA oil is bottled in the Esso plant locally, and the additive package is similar.

[stealth71]

Amsoil 0w30 in the DD's and change it once a year.

German Castrol 0w30 in the LSx.

[trapin]

Amsoil 0w30 in the DD's and change it once a year.
Same here, although I use 5W30. I love the stuff. It's great on pancakes too.

[WS6]

Gotta be very careful with this everyone. If you run a flat tappet cam, you can not run a normal synthetic oil or regular oil that's for modern engines. You need ZDDP and it's lacking from all oils designed for modern engines because of emissions reasons. There are exceptions here and I'll list a few but if someone could doa search for me on this info as I am busy, that'd be super.

Flat tappet cams: Use Chevron Delo or Shell Rotella T, Yes, it's diesel oil. It's the same but has the needed levels of ZDDP. Brad Penn has some good oils. Amsoil has one that may have enough ZDDP I think. Valvoline VR1 possibly too.

For roller cams: Mobil 1, Red Line, or Valvoline. Apperrently German made Castrol is good stuff too. It is indeed different than nonGerman made.

[trapin]

Hmmm....I smell a "sticky" in the works.

Good thread.

[SicMonte]

so you are saying that Royal Purple is no good for motors that do not have a roller cam??

[WS6]

You'll need to verify the amount of ZDDP in the oil. Go to Royal Purple's website or do a search on this info and you'll find it. Most of the magazines did a story or two on this subject because many people were destroying the cams on their engines do to the oil change. The oil companies never said anything and it was the government that forced the changes by way of emission standards

[DJW32]

Same here, although I use 5W30. I love the stuff. It's great on pancakes too.

Tony,
What is your dd? Why do you only change it once a year?

[Damn True]

Olive oil.

[Declawed69]

Gotta be very careful with this everyone. If you run a flat tappet cam, you can not run a normal synthetic oil or regular oil that's for modern engines. You need ZDDP and it's lacking from all oils designed for modern engines because of emissions reasons. There are exceptions here and I'll list a few but if someone could doa search for me on this info as I am busy, that'd be super.

Flat tappet cams: Use Chevron Delo or Shell Rotella T, Yes, it's diesel oil. It's the same but has the needed levels of ZDDP. Brad Penn has some good oils. Amsoil has one that may have enough ZDDP I think. Valvoline VR1 possibly too.

For roller cams: Mobil 1, Red Line, or Valvoline. Apperrently German made Castrol is good stuff too. It is indeed different than nonGerman made.

Careful with those diesel oils(cj spec), the new stuff had its zddp cut due to the new emission standards. Unless you got the older spec oils you're not getting the additives you need.

[protour_chevelle]

Ummm, never thought oil was THAT important. Mind you I change mine 3-4 times in a summer year(5-6 months if that)

[shmoov69]

My diesel truck gets Rotella
The others get that yellow stuff.........:fingersx:

[68sixspeed]

Camaro- Rotella
Corvettes- Mobil 1 ext performance
Tahoe- whatever is on sale (name brand still)

Note for those with flat tappet cams, zddplus additive is great to bring the oil back to the needed zinc levels. (I think Jegs even carries it now)

http://www.zddplus.com/

[WS6]

Careful with those diesel oils(cj spec), the new stuff had its zddp cut due to the new emission standards. Unless you got the older spec oils you're not getting the additives you need.

Very true. The new diesel emissions standards that came out in 07? dictated this as well. However, I do believe their levels are still good enough for flat tappet but are indeed lower than previous diesel oils.

Again, someone will need to do a search and find some links. I don't have time. It's very important to know as people are losing brand new engines as well as old ones in great running condition.

[b-man]

Shell Rotella 15W40 in my GTO 455 with flat-tappet hydraulic cam. Used to run Mobil 1 5W-30 in it when it was a bracket race car.

Mobil 1 5W-30 in my '02 WS6 and my '64 Tempest with a new LS3 under the hood (project, will be running soon).

[ponchopwr70]

I run valvoline racing oil 20w50 in the lemans. Although it has zddp in it, it might not be enough. My 01 s-10 I run quaker state synthetic 10w30.

[class67]

well heck....now you guys have me thinking, what oil should I be using in my stroker small block with a hydraulic cam?....right now I use Castrol GTX 10w40, is that bad?

[Vegas69]

I'm running 15-40 Rotella in my big block roller recommended by my engine builder. Can't get any heat in the motor right now so it's doing a good job.

[WS6]

well heck....now you guys have me thinking, what oil should I be using in my stroker small block with a hydraulic cam?....right now I use Castrol GTX 10w40, is that bad?

it's not whether it is a hydraulic cam or not. It matters is it a flat tappet or is it a roller? If it is pre 87 SBC and has not been converted to roller, it's a flat tappet which is the old school style came. I'm not sure when truck motors converted to roller cams though.

[rob07002]

Sticky worthy if I ever saw one.

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=what+motor+oils+have+the+highest+levels+of+z inc&page=1&qsrc=0&zoom=Foods+Containing+%3CKW%3EZinc%3C%2FKW%3E%7CWh at+Is+%3CKW%3EZinc%3C%2FKW%3E+Used+for%7CDeficienc y+Symptoms+of+%3CKW%3EZinc%3C%2FKW%3E&ab=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.syntheticwarehouse.com%2Famsoil _premium_protection_10W40_high_zinc.htm

[67ragtp]

Thought I would give you guys some data on the amount of zddp(zinc) in amsoil full synthetic racing oil. I like this stuff, didn't know how to post a pdf article so here goes anyway. My apologies to the admins. if I mess up something.
Thanks Rich


AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Bldg., Superior, WI 54880 (715) 392-7101 © Copyright 2008

OBJECTIVE:

Provide facts outlining lubrication requirements of flat tappet
camshaft engines and the importance of higher levels of zinc
and phosphorus.

ISSUES:

Flat tappet camshafts undergo extreme pressure and loads,
thus requiring an engine oil that is fortified with anti-wear
additives to provide premium protection. The severity of
higher spring pressure in racing engines also creates the need
for additional wear protection.
To preserve catalytic converter life, phosphorus levels in
motor oil have been reduced. Concerns have risen that oils
containing lower levels of zinc/phosphorus could provide
insufficient protection in high-pressure areas of flat tappets
and camshaft lobes found in many older and high performance
engines.

TECHNICAL DISCUSSION:

The most commonly used anti-wear additive in motor oils is
zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP). ZDDP contains both
zinc and phosphorus components working together to provide
anti-wear protection, and is most important during cam
“break-in” procedures. Proper break-in lubes should be used
during the break-in phase for all new or rebuilt engines with
flat tappets. These lubricants provide the extra protection
required to reduce wear at the point of contact during break-in
and help the flat tappet face properly mate with the cam lobe.
Once the break-in phase is completed, AMSOIL motor oils,
which are formulated with high levels of zinc and phosphorus,
will provide premium protection to flat tappet cams.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) and International
Lubricants Standards Approval Committee (ILSAC) have
mandated the reduction of phosphorus to extend catalytic converter
life. However, reducing the level of ZDDP can compromise
protection to engine components, most notably in flat
tappet camshafts. Current API SM and ILSAC GF-4 specifications
for gasoline engines have maximum and minimum
phosphorus levels of 800 ppm and 600 ppm, respectively, for
SAE 0W-20, SAE 5W-20, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-30 and SAE
10W-30 motor oils. All other gasoline SAE grades do not
have a mandated phosphorus limit.
All engines, especially high-performance modified engines,
benefit from oils with superior film strength and anti-wear
properties. The flat tappet/camshaft lobe interface is the one
area in an engine that has extreme contact load. Since this load
increases significantly when non-stock, high-pressure valve
springs are employed, the use of properly formulated motor
oils is extremely important to reduce wear and extend flat tappet/
camshaft life.

RECOMMENDATION:

AMSOIL recommends motor oils containing high levels of
zinc/phosphorus for superior protection. The table below lists
many of the AMSOIL synthetic motor oils that are formulated
with high levels of anti-wear additives:

TSB: MO-2007-08-08
Date: Rev. 1: 11/3/08
Product Description: AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils
Subject: Flat Tappet and Camshaft Lobe Lubrication

Submitted By: DP Reviewed By: DP Approval By: AA Approval Date: 11/21/08
Distribution: Internal X All
Page 1 of 2

Technical Service Bulletin

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils Phosphorus Zinc Level
Level (ppm) (ppm)

AMO 10W-40 Synthetic
Premium Protection Motor Oil 1265 1378
ARO 20W-50 Synthetic
Premium Protection Motor Oil 1266 1379
HDD Series 3000 Synthetic
5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil 1266 1379
AME 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy
Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil 1267 1377

AMSOIL Synthetic Racing Oils Phosphorus Zinc Level
Level (ppm) (ppm)

RD20 Dominator Synthetic
Racing Oil 5W-20 1424 1575
RD30 Dominator Synthetic
Racing Oil 10W-30 1424 1575
RD50 Dominator Synthetic
Racing Oil 15W-50 1424 1575
AHR SAE 60 Synthetic Super
Heavy Weight Racing Oil 1265 1375
AMSOIL AMO, ARO, HDD, AME, RD20, RD30, RD50 and
AHR all contain high levels of zinc/phosphorus, maximizing
flat tappet/camshaft life in stock modified and high-performance
applications.
AMSOIL 10W-40 (AMO) and 20W-50 (ARO) Synthetic
Premium Protection Motor Oils are formulated with high zinc
and phosphorus levels to provide protection in both gasoline
(SL) and diesel (CI-4 Plus) applications. These oils are an outstanding
choice where high zinc-containing protection is
required, such as in late model hot rods that require extra
camshaft protection.
AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel
Oil (HDD) is a combination diesel/gasoline oil with a higher
starting TBN to handle the significant stresses from high soot
loading and acid generation in modern diesel engines. HDD
contains the high phosphorus and zinc required for long life
engine protection.
AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine
Motor Oil (AME) is engineered for use in a wide variety of
light and heavy-duty applications. AME is formulated with
high levels of zinc and phosphorus to ensure protection of flat
tappet camshaft lobes in high performance diesel engines.
AMSOIL Dominator Synthetic 5W-20, 10W-30 and 15W-50
Racing Oils (RD20, RD30, RD50) are all formulated with the
same robust additive package. These oils are heavily fortified
with zinc and phosphorus to protect flat tappet cams in the
most extreme racing conditions.
AMSOIL SAE 60 Synthetic Super Heavy Weight Racing Oil
(AHR) is a super heavy weight racing oil designed for alcohol
and nitro burning race engines where viscosity loss associated
with fuel dilution is a concern. AHR includes a high dose of
zinc-containing anti-wear chemistry that race engines require.

Submitted By: DP Reviewed By: DP Approval By: AA Approval Date: 11/21/08
Distribution: Internal X All
Page 2 of 2
AMSOIL INC., AMSOIL Bldg., Superior, WI 54880 (715) 392-7101 © Copyright 2008

[6'9"Witha69]

I use Kendall GT1. 10-40.

[vintageracer]

There is also an excellent article this month in Corvette Enthusiast Magazine that has lot's of good technical information on many different oils concerning zinc loading.

[Kustom_dude]

Comp cams is also selling a additve

http://www.compcams.com/information/whatsnew/NewsDetails.asp?ListHistoryID=833414428

[rdalley]

I am building a motor now for my chevelle and asked a friend who is a lubricant dealer about this. He is also a member on here. Currently the Chevron Delo LE has around 1200ppm of zddp. I also confirmed that on Chevron website. Who know when they will reduce it for emissions.

Valvoline racing oils also have around 1200ppm and they aren't bound by emissions standards due to their "racing" status so they may be able to keep their formulation longer without having government intervention. they have a good article on their website about zddp and flat tappet cams.

I couldn't confirm or deny the content of Shell Rotella on their website so I dont know. They recently reformulated due to the ultra low sulfure requirements so I dont know what they have as far as zddp. Those are the only 2 I found that had at least 1200ppm.

Most the others except Amsoil have 600-800ppm from what i saw on their websites.

[LateNight72]

Amsoil HDD Series 3000 5W30

[stealth71]

Tony,
What is your dd? Why do you only change it once a year?

Amsoil recommendations on a lot of their oils is 15-25k as long as you use the Amsoil filter. No need to change it more often. The wifes Camry gets it.

[chicane67]

Engine: Brad Penn, 'The Green oil'... of course.

Trans: GM Synchromesh, LE or a blend of RedLine and an ISO 9000

Differential: Schaffers ISO 9000 suspended moly or Torco

Steering: RedLine or Extreme (CV Products)

[ProVette]

What oil to use opinion is a lot like @holes, everyone has one......

I used to work with a guy who ran Gary Taylor's Nitro Nostalgia funny car, he was sponsored by Torco, and he ran Torco in his WAR hemi.

So............I use Torco SR-1. Any better than Red Line or Amsoil, who knows.

However, read this article and all your questions should be anwsered.

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/0803sr_modern_engine_oil/index.html

Engine Oils
Although we were sworn to secrecy as to the source, a representative of one of the largest engine remanufacturing companies in the country admitted that they break in all their engines with diesel mineral oil. He offered two specific reasons for this. First was that the higher level of ZDDP offers increased protection to the cam and lifters, which was almost a given. The second will come as more of a surprise. They believe that because of the compounding, these oils are, in his words, "slightly less slippery," and promote spinning of flat tappets and biting of the rings to the cylinder walls, both of which help the break-in process. Although quite a few custom engine builders also agreed on diesel oil for break-in, others prefer racing oil and a few still rely on 30W non-detergent.

Or this one (best I have seen!)

http://www.ttalk.info/Zddp.htm

[ProVette]

What does CROWER say about oil and phosphorus and zinc,

http://www.crower.com/dl/ZDDP_clr.pdf

[ProVette]

What does Mobile 1 have in it.............here you go.....

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Files/Mobil_1_Product_Guide.pdf

Looks to me like "Extended Performance" has the same Phosphorus as regular Mobile 1

[RaceMan]

Mobil 1 for me , I've used it in all my race engines and everything else.
just not for break-in but after that it's good stuff !!

The mobil gear lube is also very good !!
I might be alittle biased as they did sponsor me for along time LOL

[Steve1968LS2]

Torco
Redline
Amsoil

All the rest are tied for fourth place. lol

Mobil 1 isn't what it use to be here in the US..