Oil additives needed?

[AT T 2D]

I have an '89 Turbo Trans Am with the 3.8L Turbo, which is a higher horsepower version of the Buick Grand National motor. It is common practice to run an oil additive called ZDD Plus due to some of the additives that have been removed from the modern oils.

Should I be using any additives on my '94 ZR-1?

[xlr8nflorida]

I have an '89 Turbo Trans Am with the 3.8L Turbo, which is a higher horsepower version of the Buick Grand National motor. It is common practice to run an oil additive called ZDD Plus due to some of the additives that have been removed from the modern oils.

Should I be using any additives on my '94 ZR-1?

There are advantages and disadvantages of ZDDP. For one ZDDP will kill your catalytic converters (expensive) If you don't put the right amount of ZDDP other issues occur.

Many LT-5 engines have gone 200,000 on Mobil 1. If you are concerned, I would go to Mobil 1 High Mileage Oil which has close to the ZDDP requirements. Also, while ZDDP is not at the same level, I'm sure mobil 1 has other additives to address the issue.

There are others that go to Amsoil with correct levels of ZDDP. Personally, after spending hours if not days reviewing oils, I'm not sure I feel comfortable with Amsoil, most of it is "propaganda" by dealers and very awkward non-real life tests that are posted on the web. Also, they are not held to the same standards as Mobil. Do I think Amsoil is a good oil? Yes, is it better then Mobil 1. I have my doubts and its expensive and harder to get.

[tomtom72]

Okay I'll take a shot at this one. I'm not sure what the exact outcome of our forum's discussion of this topic was and it's possible that we arrived at no definitive conclusions.

Just to be honest, I panicked and bought some stuff from the turbo buick crowd....oh heck, listen to Jim as he is telling you straight. No need for my two cents. I type too slow!;)

:cheers:
Tom

[xlr8nflorida]

Oils Antifreeze Brake Fuid http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3039 (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=79124#post79124http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=79124#post79124[/URL]%3Cbr%20/%3E%0AOil%20poll%20http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=78856#post78856[/COLOR] (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=78856#post78856)
Oil filter poll [URL]http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2476
ZDP and cam wear http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=56183#post56183


Dynomite, you would make an excellent online editor :mrgreen:

[PhillipsLT5]

He is not talking about posts, Its the website editor

[Kb7tif]

Amsoil AMO has proper amount of Zink for our lifters

[secondchance]

About a year ago last time we had a discussion over this topic I calculated about a half a bottle of ZDD Plus would bring ZDDP level to about 1100 - about the same as pre 2004 (?) level.
I have been adding a half a bottle per oil change, if anything, for a peace of mind.