Oil additives-yay or nay
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Oil additives-yay or nay I work at Autobarn and when no one is around I read all the bottles of pretty much everything. I see a lot of "oil additives" that are supposed to stick better and all that. They are made of 100% petroleum.
Are these things good or what? They have little demos that show you how it works and we have the ZMax video playing constantly and it makes sense to me but I'm not too experienced in the topic.
What are your thoughts on these? I use mobil 1 5w-30 now. On the little demo machine it says the regular oil is 10w-30, I was gonna try to crack the demo to put mobil 1 in but who knows haha
Any input please
Are these things good or what? They have little demos that show you how it works and we have the ZMax video playing constantly and it makes sense to me but I'm not too experienced in the topic.
What are your thoughts on these? I use mobil 1 5w-30 now. On the little demo machine it says the regular oil is 10w-30, I was gonna try to crack the demo to put mobil 1 in but who knows haha
Any input please
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay Definitely nay!
If you use a good oil, it's got everything you need in it to keep your engine wear at it's lowest.
There is only one oil additive I know for sure works, but it's more of a cleaner for higher mileage engines. It's called Auto-rx www.auto-rx.com I've used it on my 95 Formula and it definitely works, before and after oil analysis results showed a drastic improvement in engine wear and internal engine cleanliness. But most of you won't need this product unless you have over 50k on your engine.
If you use a good oil, it's got everything you need in it to keep your engine wear at it's lowest.
There is only one oil additive I know for sure works, but it's more of a cleaner for higher mileage engines. It's called Auto-rx www.auto-rx.com I've used it on my 95 Formula and it definitely works, before and after oil analysis results showed a drastic improvement in engine wear and internal engine cleanliness. But most of you won't need this product unless you have over 50k on your engine.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
From: Plainville,MA
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay Patman how about the Lucas stuff? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
http://www.lucasoil.com/Products_List.cfm
http://www.lucasoil.com/Products_List.cfm
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay No way. Someone posted a pic a while back on a engine that needed new inners. I guess when they pulled the pistons etc, it was all gummed up. That stuff is snake oil and should be outlawed
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay There's a product I like to throw in there
every once in a while, it's the "Greased
Lightning" teflon stuff that comes in the
little metal bottle. I got into using it on
my older vehicles and found it really sped
up the cranking / starting, which indicated
to me that it was doing a fair bit to improve
the metal-metal scrub friction when oil
pressure isn't up.
It's sort of like sacrificing a chicken,
doesn't hurt nothin' (except the chicken).
Can't say anything about the other goos....
every once in a while, it's the "Greased
Lightning" teflon stuff that comes in the
little metal bottle. I got into using it on
my older vehicles and found it really sped
up the cranking / starting, which indicated
to me that it was doing a fair bit to improve
the metal-metal scrub friction when oil
pressure isn't up.
It's sort of like sacrificing a chicken,
doesn't hurt nothin' (except the chicken).
Can't say anything about the other goos....
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Orange Krush:
<strong> Patman how about the Lucas stuff? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
http://www.lucasoil.com/Products_List.cfm </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah thats one of the displays
<strong> Patman how about the Lucas stuff? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
http://www.lucasoil.com/Products_List.cfm </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah thats one of the displays
Trending Topics
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay I like the Lucas oil ALOT!!!!! It kept a car of mine running for 2 years with one nasty rod knock. I had to put in 4 bottles of Lucas and 1 bottle of 85-140 to get decent oil pressure and keep the smoking down <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> LOL
Lucas is way to thick for the LS1. The LS1 has too tight of tolerances.
Ive seen the Lucas tranny stuff work wonders also. A friend of mine had 0 gears left on an auto... every gear was neutral. He put that Lucas tranny stuff in and he had every gear and shifted like new for the next 50k.
<small>[ March 27, 2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: Country Boy ]</small>
Lucas is way to thick for the LS1. The LS1 has too tight of tolerances.
Ive seen the Lucas tranny stuff work wonders also. A friend of mine had 0 gears left on an auto... every gear was neutral. He put that Lucas tranny stuff in and he had every gear and shifted like new for the next 50k.
<small>[ March 27, 2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: Country Boy ]</small>
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay It's weird, isn't it, that every couple 'a years a "new" additive comes out.
I'm not yay or nay against them: I ran additives in a Z24 for 185K miles and never had a problem. Probably just dumb luck. I don't use them now.
Stuff like Zmax SEEM to claim that there are micron-sized particles that "fill" the spaces between molecules in the metal in your engine.
'Course then the teflon based additives claim the same thing.
My thinking is that what tiny orifices that exist in the surface area grain structure of metal would serve a purpose by "holding" lubricant.
Are the additives beneficial? Who the hell knows?
Caveat Emptor, my friend.
I'm not yay or nay against them: I ran additives in a Z24 for 185K miles and never had a problem. Probably just dumb luck. I don't use them now.
Stuff like Zmax SEEM to claim that there are micron-sized particles that "fill" the spaces between molecules in the metal in your engine.
'Course then the teflon based additives claim the same thing.
My thinking is that what tiny orifices that exist in the surface area grain structure of metal would serve a purpose by "holding" lubricant.
Are the additives beneficial? Who the hell knows?
Caveat Emptor, my friend.
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay I'd like to think that the guys with the high profile who promote things like Prolong, and Z-Max, etc, have the scoop on the best additives. They also have access to extensive testing of these same products. I've tried them all under various driving circumstances, and although I don't claim the same testing resources, I'm convinced that TUFOIL is head and shoulders above the others. It IS a teflon based colloidal which holds the "Guiness Book of World Records" for the slipperiest man-made substance. It'll make your engine feel like it's delivering 5% more power, and will run cooler due to less friction. I drove my 84 Thunderburger 200k(beat the pants off it,& towed HEAVY boat), before rebuilding. The guy that did the rebuild claimed the innards looked new. Also used it(8oz)in addition to MOBIL1 in a 426 SBC. The difference with and without TUFOIL, was like night and day. I don't work for, or know anyone personally who sells or works for Flouramics, the makers of TUFOIL.
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay I'm pretty sure that alot of those endorsements are the result of them being paid a hefty endorsement fee in return for face time in front of the camera. I think Carroll Shelby is endorsing Z Max, because I keep hearing his add on the radio.
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay sawedoff, I entirely agree with you. My lawnmower now makes a wierd metallic sound after adding the "correct" amount of Z-Max, and seems not to be getting proper lubrication. It's almost like the Z-Max displaced the lube! It all sounded soooo good on the infomercial. But, as gwj stated best, "Caveat Emptor". Hey, I'm wondering if the Tufoil people saw my comments. Maybe they'll send ME da money!
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay i know this is a little off topic but what you all tink of red line watter wetter it seems to make perfice sence (the theory behind how it cools) they say basiclly its a corrsion inhibitor that allows you to use 100% distilled water in any radiator without it causing corrsion. I was thinking to run 25% anti freese as so not to freezemy block from ac or winter time and 75% water with redline to get more cooling.. i emailed them and they said i could get away with 15% dexcool in fl all year long????
does this stuff work and should i use it on a mostly stock* ls1?
*by mostly stock i mean i just have the usual boltons along with a hpp3 and 160 thermo
does this stuff work and should i use it on a mostly stock* ls1?
*by mostly stock i mean i just have the usual boltons along with a hpp3 and 160 thermo
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: dallas,tx.
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay the only additive I've ever put in my work beater is a quart of trans fluid in the crankcase just prior to doing an oil change. I do this every 2nd or 3rd oil change. the idea is that the high amount of detergents in the trans fluid will clean up the engine a little. I drive it around for 10 miles or so and then change the oil. the rigs got 150k on it and has never left a spot in the driveway. bought it new in '93 and change the oil (dino)every 90 days regardless of miles. the LS1 gets an oil change every 6 mos, redline 10-30 and a k-n filter, no other additives.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
<small>[ April 04, 2003, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: SixPak ]</small>
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
<small>[ April 04, 2003, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: SixPak ]</small>
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay You buy a new filter every 6 months? You know you can clean them right? <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Re: Oil additives-yay or nay </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by SixPak:
<strong> the only additive I've ever put in my work beater is a quart of trans fluid in the crankcase just prior to doing an oil change. I do this every 2nd or 3rd oil change. the idea is that the high amount of detergents in the trans fluid will clean up the engine a little. I drive it around for 10 miles or so and then change the oil. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's a myth, trans fluid does not contain more detergents. Someone did a virgin analysis on trans fluid on BOBISTHEOILGUY.com and proved it. Trans fluid is simply very thin fluid, which is why it might somewhat clean your engine, but it really doesn't do as good of a job as you think. If you really want to clean your engine, use Auto-rx.
<strong> the only additive I've ever put in my work beater is a quart of trans fluid in the crankcase just prior to doing an oil change. I do this every 2nd or 3rd oil change. the idea is that the high amount of detergents in the trans fluid will clean up the engine a little. I drive it around for 10 miles or so and then change the oil. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's a myth, trans fluid does not contain more detergents. Someone did a virgin analysis on trans fluid on BOBISTHEOILGUY.com and proved it. Trans fluid is simply very thin fluid, which is why it might somewhat clean your engine, but it really doesn't do as good of a job as you think. If you really want to clean your engine, use Auto-rx.
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
I would have to say yes. Motor oil alone can only do so much. Cold starts are murder on an engine. If it's possible to reduce that then the life of the motor can be drastically increased.
I'm a believer in Tufoil, the worlds most efficient lubricant. Cars that use it on a regular basis reach 250k miles without skipping a beat.
I'm a believer in Tufoil, the worlds most efficient lubricant. Cars that use it on a regular basis reach 250k miles without skipping a beat.