Oil Change
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Let's step back for a moment and put away all the technical and political arguments.
The only justification I can see for not running an oil with >= 1,000 ppm ZDDP in a classic C3 is cost. Does anyone have another reason NOT to?
So simply ask yourself: Is my classic Corvette engine worth an extra $25 or so every 3,000 miles? How many folks drive their C2/C3 more than 3,000-6,000 miles/year?
So...is all this angst really over $25 - $50/year?
The only justification I can see for not running an oil with >= 1,000 ppm ZDDP in a classic C3 is cost. Does anyone have another reason NOT to?
So simply ask yourself: Is my classic Corvette engine worth an extra $25 or so every 3,000 miles? How many folks drive their C2/C3 more than 3,000-6,000 miles/year?
So...is all this angst really over $25 - $50/year?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Let's step back for a moment and put away all the technical and political arguments.
The only justification I can see for not running an oil with >= 1,000 ppm ZDDP in a classic C3 is cost. Does anyone have another reason NOT to?
So simply ask yourself: Is my classic Corvette engine worth an extra $25 or so every 3,000 miles? How many folks drive their C2/C3 more than 3,000-6,000 miles/year?
So...is all this angst really over $25 - $50/year?
The only justification I can see for not running an oil with >= 1,000 ppm ZDDP in a classic C3 is cost. Does anyone have another reason NOT to?
So simply ask yourself: Is my classic Corvette engine worth an extra $25 or so every 3,000 miles? How many folks drive their C2/C3 more than 3,000-6,000 miles/year?
So...is all this angst really over $25 - $50/year?
I run Valvoline racing, change it at 3,000 miles, and drive it 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Perhaps more than anyone here.
I would also not hesitate to pour in joe blow oil if I was out in the sticks.
I would not waste money on ZDDP additives, nor would I waste money on "designer" oils, such as Royal P***, or Joe G***.
I use joe blow ATF, GM rear fluid with Posi add, and plain old green Prestone.
Oh, and the 81 burns regular, and on trips with others, I wait at the gas staion while they fill up over and over./. At least I have the A/C on while I wait.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Every catcon on a classic C3 on the planet is junk if it's still in place regardless, given that it would have spent the first 20+ years of its life running oil with 1,500 ppm ZDDP.
So I'll stand by the statement that ZDDP has zero impact on emissions - i.e. use of oil with 1,000+ ZDDP will not increase the emissions on a classic C2/C3.
It's interesting that you say it's not true...at the same time noting that you use oil with well over 1,500 ppm ZDDP and stating that it hasn't affected your emissions.
Last edited by billla; Jul 22, 2012 at 04:59 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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However, that does not dimenish the facts. As the engine wears, the Cat WILL be affected.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Honestly not sure what "facts" you're claiming aren't "dimenish"ed.
A 30+ year old cat that has been running 1,500+ ppm ZDDP for most of it's operating life and is junk at this point will experience higher emissions running an oil with...1,000 - 1,500 ppm ZDDP? Nope.
Anyone else subject to smog with old cats want to chime in here?
Or that a GEN I with *no cat* will have higher emissions? Nope.
Or that a new cat running 1,500+ ppm ZDDP will experience higher emissions....even though your personal experience is that it hasn't so far?
And this is driving it "7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Perhaps more than anyone here."
As an "engine wears" blowby increases with will certainly impact emissions...this is unrelated to the amount of ZDDP in the oil.
'nuff said - folks can make up their own mind if emissions are a valid reason not to run oil with 1,000+ ppm ZDDP
A 30+ year old cat that has been running 1,500+ ppm ZDDP for most of it's operating life and is junk at this point will experience higher emissions running an oil with...1,000 - 1,500 ppm ZDDP? Nope.
Anyone else subject to smog with old cats want to chime in here?
Or that a GEN I with *no cat* will have higher emissions? Nope.
Or that a new cat running 1,500+ ppm ZDDP will experience higher emissions....even though your personal experience is that it hasn't so far?
And this is driving it "7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Perhaps more than anyone here."As an "engine wears" blowby increases with will certainly impact emissions...this is unrelated to the amount of ZDDP in the oil.
'nuff said - folks can make up their own mind if emissions are a valid reason not to run oil with 1,000+ ppm ZDDP
Last edited by billla; Jul 22, 2012 at 09:18 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk,VA
thanks for the info. I know there are a lot of opinions on oil. I have read where the street legal 10w30 might be good for these engines. Higher zinc levels. I have looked into quaker states defy oils? They may be a good option. I do not want to have to change the oil too often. The car does not get driven too much. Bob