Which oil do you use

[Hib Halverson]

Originally Posted by onethumb

Given the Euro design roots, I would think that Motul would be a good choice, but I do not see it on here

There are better choices refined right here in the U.S.

Among them is Driven Racing Oil's LS30 (5W30) and DT40 (5W40) both use an mPAO base which comes, strangely, from Exxon-Mobil but it not used in the current N.A. formulation of Mobil 1.

[JMO343]

Amsoil 10W-40 in my ZR1. Just got completely service by Marc.


John
1990 #2331

[efnfast]

Fresh back from the gathering. Marc does not recommend Mobil 1. Not sure If I missed something there, didn't ask any questions.

[Corbusa]

HUMMMMM ok thanks because that was just what I bought and was getting ready to change it..

[efnfast]

Factory used it, but I believe Marc said it really doesn't have the right amount of ZDDP.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by efnfast

Factory used it, but I believe said it really doesn't have the right amount of ZDDP.

Even though I don’t use it due to lack of availability here in Japan, I’m curious to know specifics of why Mobil 1 not recommended. I just looked at the latest product guide for Mobil 1 and see 15W-50 with 1200 ppm phosphorus and 1300 ppm zinc.

On another note, I have been using their 20W-50 V-Twin oil for the Harley (which is available here on military base). I had no iidea until now that this oil has 1600 ppm phosphorus and 1750 ppm zinc. Not to be confused with anything related to our Zs. I just had no idea it was so high for the V Twins.





Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

[Corbusa]

Can it be bought separately? I mean the additive. or just add some duralube etc? , hell 10 quarts of slick50 should do it..lol

[Vette73]

How about the Mobil one synthetic with the gold cap? I actually use high mileage full synthetic 10-30 in my Z....

[efnfast]

Craig, Marc also does not recommend 15-50 in our cars. I'm speaking for Marc, and that's a dangerous thing to do.

[Gunny]

So ... this is largely from memory & details might not be correct, but the bottom line seems to be that Mobil 1 "quietly" alters the amounts of zinc et al from time to time. I periodically search for Mobil 1's current chart of their various grades of oil, the percentages of zinc, etc. etc. and discovered that, while some grades remain essentially the same, other grades change.

At one time (10+ years ago?) Mobil 1 10W40 "apparently had" the minimum amount of ZDDP present, then it was "reduced" - dates & amounts I can't remember. Then, lo & behold, M1 High Mileage 10W40 "apparently had" the minimum amount - so I bought a bunch of jugs from WalMart on the cheap plus got the Mobil 1 rebate resulting in a net cost of $12 per jug - not too shabby.

Not long after that (2-3 years maybe) I saw the updated Mobil 1 oil chart and none of the 10W40 had the required amounts of ZDDP. WTF? Does the oil I bought earlier have it or not? What kind of game is Mobil 1 playing?

I live in the largest agricultural county in Georgia & personally know many of the farmers, one of whom always has Amsoil 10W40 available to use on his many diesel tractors ... since he buys in bulk and lets me have it at cost, it's not too bad - not as inexpensive as M1, but certainly affordable.

And, then there are the opposing views by some that our engines don't really require so much of this & that, as long as you are using a really high quality grade of oil. Sometimes, it seems like I'm listening to a bunch of Washington politicians discussing the country's economy <rant off>. I tend to trust the wisdom of Marc.

laugh of the day - one naysayer recommended to me that using oil with the lower amounts of ZDDP would not be harmful to my engine as long as I didn't track the car PLUS it would increase the life of my cats. True, I don't track my car but I'm not known for driving at "Driving Miss Daisy" RPM levels either ... cats? what cats?

Anyway, if challenged on any of the above "facts" based on a fading memory, I will likely deny all knowledge & plausibility. The entire subject is both confusing & a bit cloudy - if in doubt on what to put in your engine, take Marc's advice.