What motor oil do you use?

[Hib Halverson]

6 quarts of Valvoline straight 30w and a can of GM EOS.

You want to be very careful with GM Engine Oil Supplement (EOS). As it was designed mainly as a break-in supplment, it is not recommended for regular use. One reason is it has a high percentage of calcium in it to mitigate wear in grand new engines. In regular use that calicum can form deposits on the piston tops and combustion chamber walls which actually create more problems than they solve.

What I'd do is determine the concentration of ZDDP in the Valvoline you use. If it's more than 800 PPM and your engine is stock or near stock, you'll ok without any changes. If it's 1000 PPM or better you're ok with most aftermarket flat tappet camshafts.

Keep in mind that, when it comes to pour-in supplements or additives containing ZDDP or other chemicals, the idea that "if some is good, more is better" is completely erroneous.

For additional information on ZDDP and engine oils for Corvettes see an article here on the CAC at: Engine Oil Deep Dive - CAC's Comprehensive Look at Engine Oil and Flat-Tappet Camshaft Durability

 

[Hib Halverson]

Synthetic oils do not cause an engine to run any cooler (or hotter) than any other type.

The above is not correct.

In fact, one of the reasons the engine oil cooler was dropped from the option list of Z51/Z07 for the LT1 in 1992 was the fact that GM went to a synthetic as factory fill. Use of synthetic oil, be it a synthesized hydrocarbon base, such as Mobil 1, or an ester base, such as Red Line, will reduce oil temperature during severe duty. That, in combination with M1's higher "safe" oil temperature allowed elimination of the optional EOC.

Now...that begs the question: "Ok...if that's true then why did not GM drop the EOC on the LT5 when it went to M1 in MY93. The reason is: the LT5, because it generates higer peak oil temperature than the L98 or LT1, may still need the cooler during race track duty.

 

[HammerDown]

Valvoline VR1 Racing 20/50 and ALWAYS with a pint of STP.
The STP will raise the ZDDP levels back up to when the better levels were designed for flat tappet lifters and camshafts.

There has been a TON if internet controversy regarding the Valvoline "Racing" oil now supporting the current API SM raiting.
It's quite conterdicting how a "racing oil" can also meet current API-SM regulations when SM raited oils are very low in ZDDP > actually it can't. Thus I've ALWAYS added the STP.

 

[Hib Halverson]

It is not true that Valvoline VR-1 is rated API Service SM. If there is a ton of controversy on the web about Valvoline VR-1 now supporting API SM, it's being generated by idiots or trolls.

Valvoline VR-1 is not an API Service SM product. Simple research on Valvoline's web site can confirm that. VR-1 has 1200 ppm zinc and 1300 ppm phosphorous...more than is necessary to properly lubricate most flat tappet camshafts and enough to lubricate flat tappet cams with the most aggressive profiles and spring pressures.

Be very careful about using "racing oil" on the street. Most (but, admittedly, not all) racing oils do not contain enough detergent additives to prevent corrosion and build up of combustion residue inside the engine. Valvoline states on its web site that VR-1 is one of those products with reduced detergents.

If you lubricate your engine with the proper engine oil, you do not need STP or other pour-in additives. In fact, use of additives with high percentages of ZDDP with engine oils having 1200 ppm or more of phosphorous can actually cause more problems than they solve because it is not true that, in the case of EP additives, "if some is good, more is better."

The least expensive and high-quality lubrication for a flat tappet engine used in a street high-performance duty cycle is Chevron Delo 400 LE.

 

[HammerDown]

It is not true that Valvoline VR-1 is rated API Service SM. If there is a ton of controversy on the web about Valvoline VR-1 now supporting API SM, it's being generated by idiots or trolls.

Valvoline VR-1 is not an API Service SM product. Simple research on Valvoline's web site can confirm that. VR-1 has 1200 ppm zinc and 1300 ppm phosphorous...more than is necessary to properly lubricate most flat tappet camshafts and enough to lubricate flat tappet cams with the most aggressive profiles and spring pressures.

Be very careful about using "racing oil" on the street. Most (but, admittedly, not all) racing oils do not contain enough detergent additives to prevent corrosion and build up of combustion residue inside the engine. Valvoline states on its web site that VR-1 is one of those products with reduced detergents.

I'm (right now) holding in my hand a bottle of Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil 20/50 dino oil>>> on the BACK of the bottle it's dated 2004 > I purchased two cases of it two months ago at my local Auto-Zone when all VR1 was 1/2 price.
The API rating on the back is SM
If I could post a picture I would > I have NO reason to lie but > way too many others feel Valvoline is.

Also note > I'm not referring to the "Off Road VR1 Racing" I've never seen a bottle of that but, from what I've been told that "racing oil" doesn't have a API rating.

EDIT > on the back of my VR1 'synthetic Racing oil" the API rating is SL

 

[glen242]

I was told, by Valvoline last year, that their VR-1 oil, even though rated as SM, still had adequate ZDDP, see their web site.

Valvoline said that they cannot use the 'Star burst' label because of the ZDDP content.

The last batch of VR-1 I purchased, was labeled SM but did not have the 'Star burst' label.

I've been using VR-1 for 6 years in my CC XE274H equipped stroker engine, without a problem.

 

[HammerDown]

I was told, by Valvoline last year, that their VR-1 oil, even though rated as SM, still had adequate ZDDP, see their web site.

Valvoline said that they cannot use the 'Star burst' label because of the ZDDP content.

The last batch of VR-1 I purchased, was labeled SM but did not have the 'Star burst' label.

I've been using VR-1 for 6 years in my CC XE274H equipped stroker engine, without a problem.

Well Glen, I was told the same thing > buy a very assuring, easy speaking fella with a slight southern draw.
However > the fact of the matter is, no way can 'any' API-SM rated street oil carry that much ZDDP >the SM rating insures it doesn't. So here's what you need to ask yourself > can Valvoline simply put the word "Racing" on ANY bottle they chose >>> YES!
Can any API-SM rated oils carry the higher levels of ZDDP as a non API rated "Racing Oil" >>> NO!

GET THIS PART PEOPLE; the words RACING MEANS NOTHING!
ITS JUST A WORD AND ANYBODY CAN USE IT TO DESCRIBE ANYTHING, ANY PART!
Let me say it again for those that don't get it. Nobody in the industry cares what they say on their websites, on the front label, back label, or TV and mag ads. They can say anything they want. RACING, MAX ZINK!! Flat tappet approved etc.... Its all legal and OK. Nobody cares. They are just words that have no meaning to the industry. What does mean something, is what is inside the little circle on the back and what is in the bottle. If Valvoline really wanted to convince people what's (in) the bottle, they would put the actually ZZDP count right on the bottle. Then it either contains that much, or they are misleading the public.
But RACING, MAX ZINK, FLAT TAPPET? Means nothing to nobody except the poor SOB that believes them.

With the above being said > I use the VR1 20/50 in my flat tappet Vette, I however add a ZDDP booster.

Hey, what ever makes you feel warm and fuzzy

 

[Hib Halverson]

Again, be careful with engine oils having 1200-1500 ppm phosphorous and using ZDDP "Boosters".

The problem is that, from a durability standpoint, too much ZDDP, say above 1600-1700 ppm phosphorous, causes chemically driven wear of the camshaft and lifters which can be just as damaging as not enough (below 1000 ppm phos) ZDDP.

 

[glen242]

Well Glen, I was told the same thing > buy a very assuring, easy speaking fella with a slight southern draw.
However > the fact of the matter is, no way can 'any' API-SM rated street oil carry that much ZDDP >the SM rating insures it doesn't. So here's what you need to ask yourself > can Valvoline simply put the word "Racing" on ANY bottle they chose >>> YES!
Can any API-SM rated oils carry the higher levels of ZDDP as a non API rated "Racing Oil" >>> NO!

GET THIS PART PEOPLE; the words RACING MEANS NOTHING!
ITS JUST A WORD AND ANYBODY CAN USE IT TO DESCRIBE ANYTHING, ANY PART!
Let me say it again for those that don't get it. Nobody in the industry cares what they say on their websites, on the front label, back label, or TV and mag ads. They can say anything they want. RACING, MAX ZINK!! Flat tappet approved etc.... Its all legal and OK. Nobody cares. They are just words that have no meaning to the industry. What does mean something, is what is inside the little circle on the back and what is in the bottle. If Valvoline really wanted to convince people what's (in) the bottle, they would put the actually ZZDP count right on the bottle. Then it either contains that much, or they are misleading the public.
But RACING, MAX ZINK, FLAT TAPPET? Means nothing to nobody except the poor SOB that believes them.

With the above being said > I use the VR1 20/50 in my flat tappet Vette, I however add a ZDDP booster.

Hey, what ever makes you feel warm and fuzzy

Actual ZDDP numbers for VR-1 oil are on their web site.

0.14 zinc 0.13 Phosphorus

Where did you get you information regarding API SM rated oil?

 

[HammerDown]

Again, be careful with engine oils having 1200-1500 ppm phosphorous and using ZDDP "Boosters".

The problem is that, from a durability standpoint, too much ZDDP, say above 1600-1700 ppm phosphorous, causes chemically driven wear of the camshaft and lifters which can be just as damaging as not enough (below 1000 ppm phos) ZDDP.

"Chemically driven wear" as in etching to the bearings and possable hard surfaces > yes. However, I would only worry about this with 'TRUE RACING OILS' such as Pennzoil 25-50 dino. This reportedly has 2000 ppm of ZDDP and an oil that is ment to be raced then dumped. Such oils like Pennzoil's "Racing" does NOT carry any API rating and has no business being in a street car that's changed every 3-5000 miles. I would use it in my BBC Jet Boat in a heart beat > along with Brad Penn.

Personally, with ANY current API-SM street oils supporting 'maybe' 800 PPM of ZDDP I have no concerns adding a ZDDP booster.
I don't feel like loosing a cam lobe on my older Corvette > even Isky Cams recommends Brad Penn Grade One, no API rating “typical” 1,500 ppm Zinc (Zn) and 1340-1400 ppm Phosphorus (P) content provide the needed anti-wear protection to critical engine parts, such as piston/cylinder walls, roller cams under heavy valve spring pressure and especially those that employ a solid “flat tappet” type system.

 

[Hib Halverson]

"ZDDP Boosters" are not necessary, if you select the proper oil to begin with, however, my advice to those who insist on them is to find out the phos content of the engine oil you are using along with the phos content of the pour-in additive (which varies widely), then mathematically derive the phos content of your "home-brew".

For flat tappet motors used on the street, you want 1000-1600 ppm phos. Less than that, depending on spring pressure, might be marginal and more than that may cause chemical wear problems of the cam lobes and lifter faces is the use of such an oil mix is long-term.