The official THSCC oil debate thread

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Re - ZDDP and cats.

I just found out that the current API-SM (aka "normal oil") spec for ZDDP is 600-800ppm, whereas T6 is 1200ppm. I thought we were talking about a much bigger difference than that, I was expecting to see T6 contained many multiples more ZDDP than regular oil.

So no, I can't see a 50% higher level of ZDDP doing any "real" damage to a catalytic converter.

More degradation over time? Well sure, but a change of 800->1200 on a healthy motor isn't going to cause problems. Maybe it will make some problems occur a little sooner, but I think we're talking about the difference in a cat making it to 250k versus 200k before becoming inefficient. Not a worry IMO.

Plus, 1200 was the standard until 2006 (if I read that correctly) so all of us with 200k miles on our cars already have been at that ZDDP level for a long time.

Back to worrying about something more important

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:13 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

Back to worrying about something more important

That's pretty much where I've ended up.

The Mercedes gurus on Benzworld often say that old cars like mine should be filled with plain old diesel dino oil, like Delo 400 or regular Rotella T. And one guy, from the same set of gurus, but who happens to be a MB technician at a dealer, says he likes Mobil 1. S2000 guys, as I'm sure you know, are all over the place, and I ran all kinds of exotic stuff in mine, mostly Amsoil Euro and Motul 8100.

I eventually got tired of hairsplitting and reading over countless forum threads, and decided Rotella T6 would be my oil of choice. The Merc holds 8 quarts of oil and I change it every 3K miles or so. The S2000, gosh, I don't even know what my average OCI is...it could be as low as 2000 miles. I do it on a time basis since the car gets driven so little. In any case, Rotella T6 has clearly been identified as an excellent oil, AND, it's $21/gallon at Walmart! It's even got the word Synthetic written on the label, which makes me feel like I'm doing something extra, even if I'm not.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:26 pm

Given the average time members of this club actually keep their cars I see this discussion as officially an exercise in "mental masturbation". :lol:

We should start a thread on longevity of ownership. If I had to guess................

1) Dick
2) VK

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:35 pm

Link to ZDDP etc. levels in Mobil1

http://www.mobiloil.com/Search/Search.a ... x=8&go.y=8

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:50 pm

What is the "easiest without spilling" way to pour oil from a 4 or 5 quart bottle into a V-8 engine that does not have a secure way to support a funnel or any of the "funnel like" stuff I've noticed in stores?

Thanks,

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:54 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

What is the "easiest without spilling" way to pour oil from a 4 or 5 quart bottle into a V-8 engine that does not have a secure way to support a funnel or any of the "funnel like" stuff I've noticed in stores?

Thanks,

Ask the wife to help..................... :wink:

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:58 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

What is the "easiest without spilling" way to pour oil from a 4 or 5 quart bottle into a V-8 engine that does not have a secure way to support a funnel or any of the "funnel like" stuff I've noticed in stores?

Thanks,

Decant to a smaller container or one with a more favorable spout or aim carefully. Old oil quart containers make good funnels by cutting the bottom off.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:01 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

What is the "easiest without spilling" way to pour oil from a 4 or 5 quart bottle into a V-8 engine that does not have a secure way to support a funnel or any of the "funnel like" stuff I've noticed in stores?

I use a regular plastic funnel and it seems to support itself just fine on my V8 Mustang. I never have any issue with spillage, so I'm confused by your issue.

Patrice Bousquet · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:43 pm

steve remchak wrote:

Given the average time members of this club actually keep their cars I see this discussion as officially an exercise in "mental masturbation". :lol:

We should start a thread on longevity of ownership. If I had to guess................

1) Dick
2) VK

21 years now for the 911.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:54 pm

Patrice Bousquet wrote:

steve remchak wrote:

Given the average time members of this club actually keep their cars I see this discussion as officially an exercise in "mental masturbation". :lol:

We should start a thread on longevity of ownership. If I had to guess................

1) Dick
2) VK

21 years now for the 911.

21 years for the Formula Ford and trailer (1991). Longer for a couple of non running/driving cars (1973 and 1984)
20 years for the camper van (1992)

Only 16 years for the daily driver 97 Mustang purchased in late 96.
Only 1 year for the 2012 Mustang

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:17 pm

steve remchak wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

What is the "easiest without spilling" way to pour oil from a 4 or 5 quart bottle into a V-8 engine that does not have a secure way to support a funnel or any of the "funnel like" stuff I've noticed in stores?

Thanks,

Ask the wife to help..................... :wink:

I've had my miata 13 years.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:37 pm

steve remchak wrote:

We should start a thread on longevity of ownership. If I had to guess................

1) Dick
2) VK

Yeah I bought the Z-24 new and have had it 15 years now. It hasn't moved in about 3 years now though. It still runs, but I have an issue with the clutch slave/master that needs to be fixed alomg with an oil leak and the A/C.

Between my other cars, racing, and outfitting the new shop I haven't had time to turn a wrench on it unfortunately.

Cash Davidson · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:34 pm

Bought the Firebird when I was 15 - over 30yrs ago. My wife will assert that it has been trailered more than driven. :oops:

JohnByers · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:40 pm

Had my '72 Bug since '93. Sadly it hasn't been on the road since '99. I have the new floor pans for it, I just need to seperate the body and frame and fix it one of these days. Have a nasty 1887cc dual carb motor for it too :twisted:

JamesShort · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:51 pm

I'm hoping to get to 1 year with the Bimmer....assuming it doesn't break

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