S2TGART

I just stopped by an auto parts store to see if they carried Kendall 20W-50, they told me that Kendall is just selling/making full synthetic and synthetic blends. I was loooking for a source of this 20W-50 for the Spring, currently have 15W-40 in the tank.
Anyone heard about this? I went to their website and they only show synthetic and blends. Their website doesn't have a "Products" link to list all their weights.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Kendall still sells their excellent GT-1 20w-50 stuff; its called "GT-1 High Performance Motor oil".

S2TGART

I will check with other places, but this particular one said that all Kendall was sending them was synthetic and synthetic blends.

Par911

Yup what Steve said. Oddly, I've noticed that my local supplier stopped carrying the GT-1 High Performance Oil.
Now my nearest Kendall 20W50 supplier is over 50 miles away

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Your distributor orders what they want so if they do not carry it, either ask them to order you a few cases or look on the Kendall website to find a distributor that will,...

They still make it and IMHO, its still the best dino oil you can buy.

Peter Zimmermann

Bakersfield, CA is in a county (Kern) with 750,000 residents, most of whom live in Bakersfield and its surrounding burbs. I can't find Kendall 20W/50 GT-1 anywhere, and have to drive to L.A. to get it. Go figure, the best dino oil (I agree completely with Steve) in existence, and the worst supply mechanism. I've never understood why. In contrast, Costco & Wal*Mart both carry the Mobil 1 that I use in the family Touareg.
Pete

GrantG

Is the Kendall really much better than the Valvoline VR1 Racing 20W50?

S2TGART

Pete,
Mobil just makes sure that their oil is everywhere. I tend to listen to the indy. shops because they don't "fall" for any marketing hype. I had always seen Kendall on the shelves, but never paid much attention to it. I never seen any printed or TV advertising for it, figured it was some low grade oil. Then I I started noticing that alot of independent (sp) shops servicing European cars using this oil. When I bought my SC, I asked about what oil to use, without hesitation they said Kendall 20W-50.
Not to start up a oil debate, but it seems only logical that alot of the additional price of Mobil 1 is due to their advertising. Personally I listen to word of mouth advertising, before I listen to bias advertising.

r911

Grant - Nobody really knows b/c nobody has done a full-on experiment with statistically valid sample sizes. Data I saw somewhere showed that Kendall had a lot of Zn in it (IIRC), so that should help.

Shops that see a lot of cars will have the closest thing to a real exp. & Steve has posted some time ago about the things he has seen.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi Grant:

LOL,..Everyone will have an opinion on this subject (it borders religion & politics) either based on experience, marketing, or hearsay,.....

Although Valvoline's VR-1 Racing oil is very good stuff, I think the Kendall GT-1 is a superior product.

Call me sometime and I'll outline some of my experiences since I'd rather not start a debate on here over this sometimes contentious subject.

JBO

Steve - what would be your choice between the Kendall 20/50 and Mobil 1 15/50, and presume in your response that the cost difference does not matter to me, and I just want the "best", regardless of cost.

Volney

I have finally found a local supplier of Kendall 20/50. It's a private auto parts store that mostly caters to street rodders.. When he saw my buying two cases he asked me what kind of car I was putting it into. I told him my 911 and my M3 (it's actually kind of heavy for the M3 but it uses a lot of oil and hey it's Kendall). He said there is a small core of similarly crazed folks such as myself that only want to buy Kendall and for that reason he carries it.

Don't expect to find it at Costco..

Vol

S2TGART

I just bought a case of Kendall 20W-50 at Autozone for $1.79 a quart. They had plenty of it. The 2 places that told me that Kendall was only sending them Synthetic was a Carquest and Big A auto parts stores. These may be regional chains, but I though I would pass along what these 2 chain stores are telling me. Eitherway, I know where to get my oil now.
Not to start a debate, but how often are you guys changing your oil? The owner's manual for my SC says "Every 15,000 miles or 12 months". That works out to 1 oil change a year.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Both are excellent products, but I'm partial to synthetics, after some experiences with them under stressful conditions.

Now,......some older engines with hardened seals & gaskets can leak some oil with a synthetic so I always take that into consideration. New engines get the synthetic stuff right off the mark,...


Whatever you use, its very important that the oil is changed FAR more often than Porsche's absurd 15K recommendations. That recommendation is only good for their parts business. I recommend 3K-4K changes if you want that motor to last a long long time.

Edward

Hi Steve,

I recall your stating in the past your very positive experiences with both the Kendall and the Mobil1. If you don't mind answering a question specific to me:

My SC, a track car 97.3% of the time , has about 20K miles on a documented rebuilt engine (from main bearings to valve guides) to stock 3.0 CIS specs (albeit w/SSIs and mild 330 cams). It runs strong and has no leaks. So while I know the benefits of the Mobil1 synth, I use the Kendall because it is considerably cheaper, especially at my frequent drain intervals (maybe around 4K miles). Does my "pure" track use merit that I just bite the bullet and go with the Mobil1, or am I ok with the Kendall at my drain intervals? BTW, I replaced it's 28-row brass cooler with a carrera type that's well ducted and so far cannot get the temp above 9:00 on 90+ degree days, so that would help me if I stick with dino, wouldn't it? I'd appreciate your opinion, thanks a bunch!!!

Ed