oil recommendations? Options

[LCOX]

What oil do you recommend for my 914 daily driver? I use Castrol GTX 10/40 but have seen some posts that you shouldn't use any multi-viscosity oil less than 20/50 because of lower oil pressure at idle that may cause a flickering oil pressure light. I've also heard some people who use straight 40 weight or even straight 50 weight oil. What weight and brand is best for good oil pressure?

[Rand]

I like Brad Penn 20/50 green. These engines need zinc and phosphorous in the oil.

Wow, time flies, but I blogged this years ago after a bunch of research back then:
http://www.randbaldwin.com/index.php/914-and-oils/

There may be some new changes now.

[GeorgeRud]

Porsche will gladly sell you their ‘vintage’ 20-50 oil in nice metal cans. I used Castro’s GTX for years, but now you have to look carefully as the ZDDP levels have been reduced. Much like ethanol laced fuel, it’s not always good for our cars.

[914 RZ-1]

What oil do you recommend for my 914 daily driver? I use Castrol GTX 10/40 but have seen some posts that you shouldn't use any multi-viscosity oil less than 20/50 because of lower oil pressure at idle that may cause a flickering oil pressure light. I've also heard some people who use straight 40 weight or even straight 50 weight oil. What weight and brand is best for good oil pressure?

I use Castrol GTX 20/50. I've been told that lighter oil will leak more (it's thinner, so it comes out easier). This was recommended to me by a friend who's owned 914's for over 20 years.

This is from the Valvoline website: The "w" in motor oil stands for winter. The first number in the oil classification refers to a cold weather viscosity. The lower this number is, the less viscous your oil will be at low temperatures. For example, a 5W- motor oil will flow better at lower temperatures than a 15W- motor oil. The higher number, following the “w” refers to hot weather viscosity, or how fluid your oil is at hot temperatures. The higher the number, the thicker the oil at a specified temperature.

There's a blog about oil that discusses the zinc in oil issue. He states that it's a myth and that what matters is another performance standard. If you can find it, it's fascinating reading. It's also VERY long. I think its called rat540 or something. I think there is a thread or 2 on here about it. You'll probably get a whole buncha people chiming in, so strap yourself in!

[mlindner]

Joe Gibbs DT50 for air cooled engine. Again high zinc and more.

[Steve]

Over the counter Valvoline VR1 20/50 at your local flaps

[type47fan]

Thom Smith, a Valvoline lubricants chemist briefly discusses the zinc-dialkyl-dithiophosphate (ZDDP) oil additive component history, benefits for flat tappet engines, and effects on catalytic converters:

http://www.motorweek.org/features/goss_gar...inc_in_your_oil


ZDDP thermal decomposition testing results of one study (HINT: keep it below 300F):

https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1502/1502.07261.pdf

[ValcoOscar]

I like Brad Penn 20/50 green. These engines need zinc and phosphorous in the oil.

Wow, time flies, but I blogged this years ago after a bunch of research back then:
http://www.randbaldwin.com/index.php/914-and-oils/

There may be some new changes now.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I also run Brad Penn 20/50 on my 914's...maybe different with a SIX

[cary]

I like Brad Penn 20/50 green. These engines need zinc and phosphorous in the oil.

Wow, time flies, but I blogged this years ago after a bunch of research back then:
http://www.randbaldwin.com/index.php/914-and-oils/

There may be some new changes now.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I also run Brad Penn 20/50 on my 914's...maybe different with a SIX

I too use Brad Penn 20-50. As does every air cooled engine that leaves Rothsport.

[RenoRoger]

I like Brad Penn 20/50 green. These engines need zinc and phosphorous in the oil.

Wow, time flies, but I blogged this years ago after a bunch of research back then:
http://www.randbaldwin.com/index.php/914-and-oils/

There may be some new changes now.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I also run Brad Penn 20/50 on my 914's...maybe different with a SIX

I too use Brad Penn 20-50. As does every air cooled engine that leaves Rothsport.

Who makes SUPERTECH 20W-50 sold at Walmart in 5 QT containers? The price is quite a bit lower than Valvoline VR 1 as an example. Is anybody using SUPERTECH?

[Justinp71]

I would use Brad Penn or if you want something cheaper Delo 400 LE. Careful there is another delo oil that Costco sells and that’s not the right one.

I would steer clear of gtx, I installed a new cam on my 3.0. Ran only gtx for 6 years, pulled the cam out and it had significant wear and I understand it’s mostly because of the low zddp.

[Jamie]

And I haven't seen any mention of Shell Rotella T 20W-50 that I thought used to be a recommended oil for our engines..It is SJ rated, and I don't have local sources for the Brad Penn, so is there an additive that would increase the desired zinc level in oils not up to the desired percentage of other oils?

[krazykonrad]

How about the Porsche Classic oil? Is it the real deal or just some re-packaged marked-up Castrol?

Konrad

[Dave_Darling]

The diesel oils have also been reformulated to reduce the ZDDP content, which is unfortunate. They are still recommended by a number of good shops, though.

I would stay away from SUPERTECH oil, and also from all of the no-name oils.

VR-1 is very widely available, and works well. Brad Penn, Joe Gibbs, etc., work well but are less widely available. Mail order works, but can be less convenient.

The original weight specified was a straight 30-weight. Multi-grade oils were in their infancy when our engines were designed, though, and today's multi-grade are immensely better than what was available then.

Most people run 20/50 oil in their air-cooled 914s. Very little down-side to that from what I can tell.

Engines that have been rebuilt can have the tolerances changed and require different grades of oil; talk to your engine builder or machine shop about what they recommend if your engine is no longer stock. In general, tighter tolerances will need a lighter-weight oil, but there may be specific things the builder wants from the oil.

I run Brad Penn in my 914, but will probably switch to VR-1 when my current case runs out. My wife's 911SC gets Rotella T because that's what our pro mechanic recommends.

--DD

[DRPHIL914]

Running 20/50 VR1 for a long time but now I have been for over a year now running the Brad Penn 20/50 green, since I put my oil cooler in - before that I did run single weight oil , I do thing due to the heat we get and I live in a warm climate the my oil temps have been right where they should be with this combo. 150k miles and going.

[Justinp71]

There was another oil thread on here recently. It showed a link to some analysis, it showed VR1 had a much higher psi protection rating that Brad Penn. Seems like VR1 and Brad Penn are both good choices.

[thelogo]

The diesel oils have also been reformulated to reduce the ZDDP content, which is unfortunate. They are still recommended by a number of good shops, though.

I would stay away from SUPERTECH oil, and also from all of the no-name oils.

VR-1 is very widely available, and works well. Brad Penn, Joe Gibbs, etc., work well but are less widely available. Mail order works, but can be less convenient.

The original weight specified was a straight 30-weight. Multi-grade oils were in their infancy when our engines were designed, though, and today's multi-grade are immensely better than what was available then.

Most people run 20/50 oil in their air-cooled 914s. Very little down-side to that from what I can tell.

Engines that have been rebuilt can have the tolerances changed and require different grades of oil; talk to your engine builder or machine shop about what they recommend if your engine is no longer stock. In general, tighter tolerances will need a lighter-weight oil, but there may be specific things the builder wants from the oil.

I run Brad Penn in my 914, but will probably switch to VR-1 when my current case runs out. My wife's 911SC gets Rotella T because that's what our pro mechanic recommends.

--DD

Damn dave i know you are the man but your wife drive s a 911sc

Not bad brother ,not bad at all

[luvatenor]

I see that everyone uses 20w-50 oil(mostly Castrol). The owners manual recommends straight 30 weight- This is confusing- I assume things have changed over the years-

[VaccaRabite]

Its not all that confusing.

20w50 oil work better for our cars, so long as they have the proper additives. It retains consistency better in hot climates, and those are the times when people tend to drive our cars. People in colder regions use a 30 oil in the winter for easier start up and because the cold temps don't require the thicker oil to build pressure.

Zach

[Dave_Darling]

Basically oils have changed a lot in the years since the 914 was engineered. It was pretty much a half-century ago; the engineering was done in the mid- to late-1960s.

You can run straight 30-weight in an unmodified engine if you want to. Make sure you use something with a decent amount of ZDDP in it.

You can also run 20/50 oil if you want to. They should both work. Again, use something with a good amount of ZDDP in it.

--DD