danglerb

I think its more of a Pepboys thing, sometimes their prices are great, sometimes they suck. I stock up at Walmart during sales etc. of Rotella syn and dino (different oil for different cars). I am real tempted to switch to Brad Penn and buy it online.

Plenty of ZDDP additives, Torco makes them, google should find them, but best i think to stick with oil that already has it.

Oil is cheap to buy, but bad oil is very expensive to use.

dprantl

Yes, more zinc is better. My point was that as oil formulations get newer they tend to have less and less zinc. So saying that a certain oil meets the latest ASE standards may in fact be the opposite of what is desired. I have been searching for ZDDP level in NAPA 15W-50 oil, but have not come up with anything so far. That unknown is not worth me saving $20 on 10 quarts of oil. As of a couple of months ago, Mobil 1 15W-50 still has over 1000 ppm of zinc and phosphorus.

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Mot...duct_Guide.pdf

Brad Penn looks okay, except it is described as a "semi-synthetic", not fully synthetic. What effect/difference that has, who knows. It is also 20W-50 instead of 15W-50, and it can get below 32F here sometimes so the cold viscosity/pour point would start to cut into my comfort level at such temps.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

Bjbpe

The only place we could get 20-50 in Laramie was at O'Reily.

jbrob007

I've been looking as well... Maybe a search for Valvoline Full Synthetic might have better info. BTW, it was $3.49 a quart compared to $8.50 per quart for Mobil 1... $ 5 x 8 = $40 less per oil change. Thats not chump change and it appears to be good oil... I'll keep looking and see what I can find. Worse comes to worse - I can buy ALLOT of ZDDP additive with $40...

UncleMaz

My local auto parts store sells this: http://classiccaroil.com/. 1200-1400ppm zinc. At $27 for 5 liters, the price is pretty good but would this be better than a synthetic? I have always filled with Mobil One, but the questions about the zinc content and the price (non sale), have me looking for something else (that I can pick up locally). Anyone try this stuff and have an opinion?

jbrob007

I've written to Ashland concerning the ZDDP levels in the NAPA brand 15W50 full synthetic. I'll post their reply (if I get one).

jbrob007

This is Ashland Inc's reply:

"Thank you for contacting Valvoline Product Support with your question about the Napa branded motor oils.

The ZDDP levels in the Napa Full Synthetic SAE 15w50 motor oils, are exactly the same as the conventional Valvoline and Napa branded motor oils. The Zinc level is approximately 830 ppm, while the Phosphorus level is approximately 750 ppm. These are both acceptable amounts that will protect any stock flat tappet cam application, however for high performance applications that may obtain larger than stock cams, Valvoline strongly suggests our Valvoline Racing Oils such our Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil for use, which contains approximately 1400 ppm of Zinc and 1300 ppm of Phosphorus.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via email or by phone at 800 TEAM VAL for assistance. Thank you once again for contacting Valvoline and have a great day.

Thank you,

Valvoline Product Support"

This oil will probably meet our needs quite well since most of us change our oil MUCH MORE frequently than every 15K miles... but then again I'm no freakin' engineer! I think I'll stick with it since I have two cases sitting in my garage After thats gone, I may switch to all synthetic 20W50 (if I can find it)...

dprantl

Thanks for coming up with the data.

IMO, anything less than 1000 ppm is not enough.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

heinrich

http://www.mobiloil.com/usa-english/..._Products.aspx

Mobil One reportedly does better than that.

dprantl

Exactly, see my previous post for the link that lists all Mobil 1 oils and their phosphorus/zinc contents. Just did the oil/filter change today, car is happy.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

jbrob007

Yep Mobil One has over 1200 / 1300 ppm of each... Very good stuff... also more than twice as much... I know... I know... good oil is cheap insurance - no argument there. But, this IS good oil at $3.40 something a quart - not $8.50 If I kept it in the engine for 15k miles (especially the way I DRIVE) then I might have second thoughts, but I change it twice as often = 7K miles. I think were good...

Good discussion guys!

dprantl

I think there is a disconnect here. It doesn't matter if you change your oil every 500 miles. If the zinc/phosphorus content in the oil is too low, it will potentially be damaging your cams the minute you start your engine after an oil change. And since you can get Mobil 1 15W-50 for $5.49/quart, it really is only a $20 savings if you end up using 10 quarts... If you do end up using that oil, mix it up with some ZDDP additive first.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

jbrob007

I will just to be on the safe side since everyone here thinks thats not enough zinc / phosphorous for our cars - and, yes its not a huge amount of $$.

What level(s) does Porsche recommend? I dont think the recommended zinc / phosphorous content is listed in the Owners Manual

Thanks!

77tony

Just cleaned out the local O'Reilly's. 32 qts M-1, 15-50 @ $ 5.49 qt. 77Tony

dr bob

I was visiting my parents yesterday, and on a whim stopped by the WalMart store in Lakewood/Long Beach. The helpful auto-area stock girl directed me to where the 15W-50 5-quart bottles were safely hidden at the back of a bottom shelf. Double surprise! Give her a couple days to re-order and stock them on the shelf again, she asks. The local-to-me (Panorama Mall, Duarte stores) don't carry 15W-50 as of last week, so a pleasant surprise finding it on a shelf. Change is due in May, gotta be ready!

K asked how I managed to spend $150 at WalMart. I pointed to a new toilet seat I'd just installed, so all is OK.