What kind of Amsoil?
 

Until now I used Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 10W-30, especially for
the ZR-1 and for the Chevy pickup K 3500 4x4 with the 454 engine, but
also for other Chevrolets we own.
Now I would like to change to Amsoil. Amsoil says for these two cars that
SAE 10W-30 Signature Series is the best choice.
If I remeber right there was a discussion here whether it would be
better to use an Oil with Zinc additive, this would be Amsoil Z-Rod 10W-30
Synthetic Motor Oil. What do you think? Thank you for your help.

Franz

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

http://www.zr1specialist.com/ Marc has plenty of information on his site.

Amsoil AMO 10-40

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

I use Amsoil 10W-40 high zinc.

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Amsoil AMO 10-40 (high zinc formula) as per Marc Haibeck's recommendation.

As Frank mentioned read Marc's article.

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

AMo 10w40 high zinc here

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

The previous owner used the Amsoil ... I am used to Mobil One ... will be doing the full Amsoil swap to all my cars I think.

Would the high zinc be suitable in all applications, or could it actually be worse for some engines? ---

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

I use the Amsoil Zrod in my ZR1 & in my 2 solid lifter cars as well. It's what Amsoil recommended to me.

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Interesting on the Zrod recommendation. Need to check that out

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

High zinc (or phosphate), from what I understand, can lead to catalytic converter failure. Automakers push to lower zddp in modern motor oil, from what I understand, was driven by this issue and its implication in emission warranty. So the downside may not be so much for other engines but shortened catalytic converter life may be the outcome.

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Read what Marc has to say about required levels of zinc
Next, use google to find the zinc levels in the various oils available to purchase.

Click HERE for a Mobil Table. You might also find some useful info HERE not a recommendation, just saying

Secondchance is correct ... too much zinc is bad for the cats. For those of us fortunate to run without cats then the zinc shouldn't be harming anything. But if our engines need a certain amount of zinc (again, refer to Marc's findings) then locating/using the oil that meets those specs seems a prudent course of action and that's why I'm using Amsoil AMO 10-40.

I live in a part of Georgia that was originally plantation land and still has a number of large farms that use heavy diesel equipment ... one of those farmers is a friend and he ALWAYS has Amsoil 10-40 on his shelves (it's the primary oil used in much of his farm equipment ... tractors, combines, harvesters, etc.) so I'm fortunate that I always have quick access to my Amsoil needs.

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Thank ou for all the anwers. I think I shall choose Z-Rod 10W-30 as "hiperf406"recommends. Then I have the right viscosity (10W-30) and the zinc as additiv. I shall use it for the K-3500 too. Chevrolet wants to have
a 10W-30 motoroil in the 454 engines.
I do not drive these cars often, the ZR-1 has about 20.000 miles and
the pickup has about 13.000 miles. So the catalytic converter
that can be damaged is not the big problem in my case. On the other side Amsoil
says that this Z-Rod oil is good for cars that aren't driven frequently.
Nevertheless it is a high performance oil.

Again, thank you for your help and have a good time,

Franz

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Hello Franz,

You might already have this, but the AMSOIL technical dept sent me this so I thought I would share just in case because it is good information for us. As mentioned, our LT5s might not need as much ZDDP as the ZROD offers as well as the concerns for folks that have catalytic converters should be considered:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...ps92f121d4.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...ps861cf09f.jpg

I hope this helps.

Craig

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Good stuff Craig :thumbsup:

I see on the chart our AMSOIL 10w 40 zinc 1378. This engine has the Headers so no issues with CATS and zinc ;)

This LT5 was installed (with Headers Attached) in the ZR1 with AMSOIL 10w 40 to the full mark on the Dipstick.

Engine was installed in this ZR1 with Headers, Injector Housings and Pressure Plate attached. Windshield Wiper motor (drivers side) and AC Temp sensor Cover (passenger side) were removed for ease of installation. A load Leveler has to be used and the engine must be lifted with soft slings attached to the center of Harmonic Balancer and to the center of Pressure Plate. Hood was NOT REMOVED.
Installing Engine In ZR1

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/l...19a11feab3.jpghttp://i287.photobucket.com/albums/l...ps17ca1cc7.jpg

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Amsoil High Zinc 10-40 or the Amsoil 10-30. The 10-40 is great for Las Vegas.

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

I’ll add that Z-Rod is primarily intended for cars that are stored more than they are driven. Z-Rod has better rust protection than any other motor oil available. This is especially important if your car is stored out of doors.

The base stock for Z-Rod is of a lower quality then AMO so I recommend a 3000 miles change interval with Z-Rod. AMO is good for 5000 miles under the same conditions. That’s why AMO costs more.

I recommend changing oil once a year regardless of mileage. If you drive less than 2000 miles a year, Z-Rod makes sense. For over 5000 miles a year AMO is the best choice for protection and value.

Marc

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

My '90 did not like anything lighter than 10w-30, and would consume more. I'm running Z-ROD in the Lingenfelter........I never drive it hard, so I'm sure I can go the 5000 miles. I like the AMO better if it was 10w-30.
;)

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

Thank you for the AMSOIL Technical Service Bulletin. I wrote an e-mail to
AMSOIL, but I got no answer. In Switzerland nobody sells AMSOIL, but
then I found a dealer in Germany. So I could buy Z-Rod 10W-30.
Thank you again. It is great that I may ask questions here in this forum.
In Switzerland I think nobody is interested in the right stuff for American
cars. It's the same with the '64 Impala SS 409. For this car it is
great that I found buddies driving 409s too, same as here with the ZR-1. :fahne:

Franz

Re: What kind of Amsoil?
 

You're welcome Franz. :cheers: So cool to hear from a fellow Z owner in Switzerland and your Z is very special too with manual air. Take care, Craig