Oil Breakdown Tests
in 93 who was making large quanities of synthetic? Amsoil and M1? Who was going to give GM a better deal on oil and marketing? Plus as I said formulas change, maybe in 93 M1 did test the best, doesn't mean it is good today.
Far as what GM does they have a lot of engineering know how, capable of accomplishing whatever they decide to spend the money on developing BUT their goals are not always the same as ours. For example I have a 4600lbs Roadmaster wagon with 5000lbs tow capacity and 260hp in the driveway that has a larger second gear servo than the 9years newer 5500lbs truck with 7400lbs tow capacity and 300hp. You really think they did that because it was right?
Far as not true synthetic I am sure what gregrod is reffering too is in north America companies get away with calling group III oils synthetic where in other places that term is reserved for group IV and group V oils
Far as what GM does they have a lot of engineering know how, capable of accomplishing whatever they decide to spend the money on developing BUT their goals are not always the same as ours. For example I have a 4600lbs Roadmaster wagon with 5000lbs tow capacity and 260hp in the driveway that has a larger second gear servo than the 9years newer 5500lbs truck with 7400lbs tow capacity and 300hp. You really think they did that because it was right?
Far as not true synthetic I am sure what gregrod is reffering too is in north America companies get away with calling group III oils synthetic where in other places that term is reserved for group IV and group V oils
My buddy works for a chemical company that makes additives for motor oils, gasoline, diesel, etc. Out of all the tests, he says that the motors running conventional Pennzoil 10w30 have great results. Amsoil and and Royal Purple are top of the line, but ridiculosly expensive. Pennzoil is good bang for your buck.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: CT/NJ
Where do you get your info ? How is it not a true synthetic ? If it's not any good then why has GM used it as a factory fill on all Corvettes since 1993 ? Other company's use it as a factory fill also, Mercedes AMG, Porsche since 1996, The Aston Martin line, all Bentley's, the hot Nissan GT-R and even McLaren. I'm pretty sure Mercedes knows about the German Casterol. Mobil 1 must be ok.
Mobil 1 was a true synthetic until they lost in court to the fake synthetic Castrol in the US. Now, Amsoil and Pennzoil Ultra are the only true synthetics you can by over the counter in the US. German Mobil 1 and German Castrol are a different story.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 18
From: Lansing, MI via Bowling Green, KY, Dalton GA, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA
Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your statement, and assuming nothing has changed in the last couple of months, but German Castrol can be purchased over the counter in the USA at Autozone.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
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
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: CT/NJ
I didn't count the German Castrol because you can only get 0W-30 in the US. I didn't count smaller brand fringe players either because they are questionable and hard to find based on location.
That kind of brings up another point. North American sold vehicle OEM oil recommendations are driven almost entirely by CAFE rather than what an engine likes best. If an OEM can push up average MPG .1 but they know it will shorten expected engine life from 300K to 250K they are going to do it in a heartbeat. Still acceptable life and that .1mpg is a big deal for them.
