Oil; A quickie,...:)

[Steve@Rennsport]

Hi,

Assuming that Porsche owners wish to stay informed and educated about an important topic, I've clipped a press release from JGibbs Racing about some changes coming in Sept.

Its no cause for panic or concern for people already using a good product in their 911's, but may be something to consider for those who haven't.

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In 2004, API SM/GF-4 licensed oils hit the marketplace, and about 12 months later, articles and technical bulletins began to appear warning consumers of the risks of using low Zinc/Phosphorus API SM/GF-4 rated oils in flat tappet engines.

Today, the word is out – motor oils have changed. In 2010, passenger car engine oils change again, and heavy duty diesel trucks get catalytic converters.

This time, consider yourself forewarned.

API SN – ILSAC GF-5 licensed oil will hit the shelves in October of 2010, and this new oil specification places greater emphasis on protecting catalytic converters than previous oil standards. While this is good news for emissions, improved catalytic converter life has proven to be detrimental to flat-tappet camshaft life.

Another change associated with API SN/ILSAC GF-5 oils will be greater fuel economy performance. This improvement in fuel economy will be achieved by increased use of polymers called Viscosity Modifiers. These polymers help a “thin” oil act “thicker” under low stress conditions. While the liberal use of polymers helps improve fuel economy in passenger car engines, race engines produce shear stresses that can “tear” these polymers. When these polymers are sheared, your oil losses viscosity, and that can lead to increased wear.

More than ever before, engine builders, racers and hot rodders need to be aware that API rated products are “compromised” due to Passenger Car OEM requirements for improved catalytic converter life, fuel economy, and engine cleanliness.

To achieve these goals, oil marketers must reduce the Phosphorus, Sulfur and Zinc levels in their oils (.08), and they must use more polymers and aggressive detergents. While these changes are good for modern low rpm, overhead cam engines, older push rod engines and high RPM race engines need lubricants with higher levels of Phosphorus, Sulfur and Zinc as well as lower levels of polymers and detergents.

You don’t need to worry. You just need to choose the correct type of oil for your application.
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Just keep using a product containing 1100-1200ppi of Zinc & Phosphorus and you'll be just fine.

[tobluforu]

Thanks for the update, and which oils contain this amount Zinc and phosphorus, 20-50w?
Thanks

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by tobluforu

Thanks for the update, and which oils contain this amount Zinc and phosphorus, 20-50w?
Thanks

You need to consult the manufacturer's data to see what they have,.............

Brad-Penn, Swepco have plenty, to name just a few.

[Helios59]

The subject of oil was a big surprise when I bought an air-cooled 911.

I figured after all these years, it would all be worked out and simple..little did I know!

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Helios59

The subject of oil was a big surprise when I bought an air-cooled 911.

I figured after all these years, it would all be worked out and simple..little did I know!

LOL,..Nothing about this subject is simple and its a changing evironment,....

Thankfully, there are good products out there that render all this inconsequential.

[Matt Monson]

Interesting information. Thanks Steve.

[NoLift911]

Do they still make the Valvoline Racing 20w-50? Not sure where this oil stacks up - as it has been a while since I changed my oil...always had good results with it.

[DUK]

Joe Gibbs XP5 and their Hot Rod oil is very well suited for our 911's. I've been running it for three years.

BTW- I haven't seen any reports but have heard that Valvoline is lowering the zddp in all oils, including the racing and bike oils. Might need to check their site.

[KNS]

Thank you Steve.

I wonder if companies like Brad Penn will be allowed to continue selling their current formula that we all love and need or will they be "forced" to comply with the new SN rating in the future..?

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by KNS

Thank you Steve.

I wonder if companies like Brad Penn will be allowed to continue selling their current formula that we all love and need or will they be "forced" to comply with the new SN rating in the future..?

Hi Kurt,

You are quite welcome,...

AFAIK, Brad-Penn markets the 20w-50 oil we use as a "racing oil", meant for off-road use and for older cars without cats. As such, they simply decline to meet the EPA's regs for street cars.

Other companies such as Redline and Valvoline have offered two lines of oil: one for later-model cars thats an API/SM and another for racing, only. Joe Gibb's oils are race-only products except for their Hot Rod oils which are meant for older street cars.

It certainly will be interesting to see how all the manufacturers of motor oils conform to the new regulations and still offer a product for older cars that need a robust EP additive package.

[Helios59]

Is Brad Penn 20W-50 oil partial synthetic?

I'm running Valvoline now and thinking about changing; I just want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff.

Thanks!

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by Helios59

Is Brad Penn 20W-50 oil partial synthetic?

I'm running Valvoline now and thinking about changing; I just want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff.

Thanks!

Several years ago, the FTC allowed a "redefinition" about what was permitted to be labeled a synthetic oil or not and that really loosened the term.

B-P calls their racing oil a partial-synthetic oil (10% or less) but I simply consider it a high-end dino oil. To me, anything thats not 100% synthetic, dilutes the terminology and definition.

That said, its a very good product.

[tcar]

I heard that Mobil 1 motorcycle oil was ok.

Also heard that Mobil 1 had put the Zn and Ph back in?????

[RWebb]

here's an old quote:

The only Valvoline products I would recommend would be their 4 Stroke
Motorcycle 20w50 and their true Racing oils, available in a
non-synthetic or full syn 20w50.
- Charles Navarro, LN Engineering

It costs only ~$4/Qt. - I was thinking of running it in an older VW Vanagon I have, but decided my life will be simpler if I just run BP in both.

[ALXinNZ]

Originally Posted by tcar

I heard that Mobil 1 motorcycle oil was ok.

Also heard that Mobil 1 had put the Zn and Ph back in?????

Yep I use Mobil Racing 4T 15w-50 (Motorbike Oil) Awesome stuff!!

[nineball]

Originally Posted by nolift911

Do they still make the Valvoline Racing 20w-50? Not sure where this oil stacks up - as it has been a while since I changed my oil...always had good results with it.

yes they still make it and it is readily available. costs me about $5 per quart now.

[DUK]

Looks like the Valvoline Racing still is ok, for now....

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/VR-1_Racing_Motor_Oil.pdf

[James Brown]

I checked with the Swepco rep in the Seattle area and he assures me that Swepco will not change there oil formula for there 306 type oil. Good news.

[HarryD]

Steve,

Thanks for this update.

FTW, since I switched from 15W-40 HDEO to BP, my car is showing better pressure (duh) and lower oil consumption.

[dshepp806]

I saw this ...interesting.


Sticking with my BP.....

Doyle