Question on Total oil. ZDDP?
 

Any one use their oil? I understand they make oil for racing. What the hell is the difference between an oil made for racing or street? :confused: Is suppose to be illegal if used for street cars? My buddy has a bunch of Total oil in his shop (He has a lift, thank goodness) that he uses or swears by, for his ratty old race car and was nice enough to offer the service (I was really hoping he would do it for me) but I get to help :mad:(damn!). Is there enough ZDDP in Total oil. Those Brad Penn kinda sold me on their oil at Rennsport. I know, I am gullible and dumb.

What brand car does he race? Does it have a solid lifter camshaft?

It could be a good oil but not for a 911.

You should be able to find out the ZDDP level from the jug label or online. We KNOW that Brad Penn and Valvoline VR1 racing oil work well in a flat six.

It's not illegal, but racing oil has fewer detergents and other additives that extend the life of oil. If you run racing oil in a street car you should change it more often because it deteriorates faster.

Phosphorus degrades the catalyst in your catalytic converter. Also might screw up your OXS. So, ZDDP levels should be lower in modern cars. I guess the mid-late '80s Porsches had better OXS and catalysts? I dunno, but that's why those things are lower in modern oils.

It's much easier/cheaper to replace a catalytic converter than rebuild a motor due to worn lifters and rings. The lower ZDDP was to ensure that cats lasted longer.

My shop recently switched from Brad Penn to Total, ran it at Rennsport no problems.

I use the Total synthetic VW 507.00 rating for my 13' TDI for 30,000 miles (almost 40k miles now). I think it's better then the oil that the dealer used, but I do not have oil analysis to back up my personal opinion. (I don't have clatter on cold weather cold start ups as i did when the dealer used the Castrol stuff) I would use it in my 01 TDI if it wasn't so expensive. ha

The race car is a 73S

There are a few great oils out there for your engine. Driven, Brad Penn, even Valvoline has a 20W50 racing oil with high anti-wear. To Eric's point and he is spot on, the P can lead to cat issues on newer engines.

Here are a few links that you might find interesting:

http://www.acea.be/uploads/publications/2012_ACEA_Oil_Sequences.pdf


API Engine Oil Lubricant Specifications - oilspecifications.org


http://www.api.org/~/media/files/certification/engine-oil-diesel/publications/mom_guide_english_2013.pdf

Interesting thing that will be happening in the year to come will be new specifications of engine oils. Here is some reading for your pleasure.


https://www.oronite.com/pdfs/pc11_dexos.pdf

Explaining the new PC-11 oil categories : Chevron Lube Matters

Engine Oil Category Overview - PC-11 Development

PC-11: Delivering Oil Categories on Time for Global Customers and Meeting Engine Manufacturer Requirements

Speaking of ZDDP, just what is the shelf life of the old GM EOS?

I have about 30 bottles I've been holding onto since GM discontinued it.

In theory it should be fine for many years as long as it is sealed and kept at temps from 50 to 90F. Many oil companies will say the shelf life is only 1 year but that's not really true. There may be a few brands that the additives could fall out but that really isn't the case anymore.