Driven Oil
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 281
From: New York
Driven Oil
Yes, another oil question. I did a search here and on BTOG. Not too much about Driven oil.
I drive my Corvette on the street 50% of the 50% track use in Time Trials on tracks like NJMS (Thunder) and Summit Point Motorsports Park. The rare is very rarely driven in the winter. The engine was rebuilt in 2016 and the builder recommended 20W-50 oil.
I use VR-1 Racing oil due to the high zinc. But my understanding (which could be faulty) is that racing oil does NOT contain all the normal additives, like detergents and corrosion/rust inhibitors, that would be required by a street driven vehicle.
I was considering switching to https://drivenracingoil.com/i-304978...t-rod-oil.html
Searches on Driven oil do not yield much.
I drive my Corvette on the street 50% of the 50% track use in Time Trials on tracks like NJMS (Thunder) and Summit Point Motorsports Park. The rare is very rarely driven in the winter. The engine was rebuilt in 2016 and the builder recommended 20W-50 oil.
I use VR-1 Racing oil due to the high zinc. But my understanding (which could be faulty) is that racing oil does NOT contain all the normal additives, like detergents and corrosion/rust inhibitors, that would be required by a street driven vehicle.
I was considering switching to https://drivenracingoil.com/i-304978...t-rod-oil.html
Searches on Driven oil do not yield much.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,159
Likes: 4,269
From: US-PNW
You're going to get a number of folks who don't see the need to spend so much when Shell Rotella works fine. My '72's engine builder recommended Driven. He used their break-in oil for first runs and dyno testing, then advised that I use the 10w-40 for regular use. It's certainly not inexpensive but I'm also not changing the oil 2-4 times a year. (He also advised Wix oil filters.)
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 441
From: Denver CO
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 2,108
From: Grapevine Tx
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
2016 C3 of the Year Finalist
VR1 is good for even a daily driver. From their website:
"Valvoline VR1 Full Synthetic Racing Oil's high zinc formula provides race-level protection for high performance engines on the race track or the highway. Its exclusive chemistry is designed to reduce friction and enhance power. It is among the most popular engine lubricants in all types of racing, including paved and dirt ovals and drag racing. It is formulated for race engines, but compatible with passenger vehicles too."
And conventional:
"Our exclusive high zinc and phosphorus formula is engineered specifically for modern and classic high-performance engines both on and off the track, which includes flat-tappet and performance cam motors."
"Valvoline VR1 Full Synthetic Racing Oil's high zinc formula provides race-level protection for high performance engines on the race track or the highway. Its exclusive chemistry is designed to reduce friction and enhance power. It is among the most popular engine lubricants in all types of racing, including paved and dirt ovals and drag racing. It is formulated for race engines, but compatible with passenger vehicles too."
And conventional:
"Our exclusive high zinc and phosphorus formula is engineered specifically for modern and classic high-performance engines both on and off the track, which includes flat-tappet and performance cam motors."
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 281
From: New York
VR1 is good for even a daily driver. From their website:
"Valvoline VR1 Full Synthetic Racing Oil's high zinc formula provides race-level protection for high performance engines on the race track or the highway. Its exclusive chemistry is designed to reduce friction and enhance power. It is among the most popular engine lubricants in all types of racing, including paved and dirt ovals and drag racing. It is formulated for race engines, but compatible with passenger vehicles too."
And conventional:
"Our exclusive high zinc and phosphorus formula is engineered specifically for modern and classic high-performance engines both on and off the track, which includes flat-tappet and performance cam motors."
"Valvoline VR1 Full Synthetic Racing Oil's high zinc formula provides race-level protection for high performance engines on the race track or the highway. Its exclusive chemistry is designed to reduce friction and enhance power. It is among the most popular engine lubricants in all types of racing, including paved and dirt ovals and drag racing. It is formulated for race engines, but compatible with passenger vehicles too."
And conventional:
"Our exclusive high zinc and phosphorus formula is engineered specifically for modern and classic high-performance engines both on and off the track, which includes flat-tappet and performance cam motors."
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 93
From: Tri-Cities TN
Gibbs sold GiBBs oil years ago. Hence the name change to Driven. Very good oil and no expense was spared in development when the boys were running Flat Tappets in NASCAR. Carb Defender product is also a go to for storage. Cup cars overnight sitting the garage with ethanol tainted fuels would loose 3HP due to fuel "Decay". Carb Defender developed for this reason. Fuel will maintain octane levels for years.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 281
From: New York
Gibbs sold GiBBs oil years ago. Hence the name change to Driven. Very good oil and no expense was spared in development when the boys were running Flat Tappets in NASCAR. Carb Defender product is also a go to for storage. Cup cars overnight sitting the garage with ethanol tainted fuels would loose 3HP due to fuel "Decay". Carb Defender developed for this reason. Fuel will maintain octane levels for years.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 734
Likes: 51
From: ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS NJ
That said I do use it in my 73, 10W/40.
Although due to the Gibbs Toyotas / drivers element I do take the oil first to a local church and have an Exorcism performed.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
I have been using the Driven brand oils for many years and before that when they came with the Gibbs name on them. It is great motor oil albeit a little pricey.
Diesel engine oil like Rotella are no longer made with the right extra zinc we need. They also don't have the right anti-foaming agents we need for our gasoline driven engines. The latest issue of Hot Rod has a nice article explaining why you should no longer trust diesel engine oil in your gas engines.
To figure out which oil is the best for your engine you need to know the bearing clearances from inside your engine. My engine was built with tight tolerances and prefers a 0-15 from Driven.
Diesel engine oil like Rotella are no longer made with the right extra zinc we need. They also don't have the right anti-foaming agents we need for our gasoline driven engines. The latest issue of Hot Rod has a nice article explaining why you should no longer trust diesel engine oil in your gas engines.
To figure out which oil is the best for your engine you need to know the bearing clearances from inside your engine. My engine was built with tight tolerances and prefers a 0-15 from Driven.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 1,325
From: Fleming Island, FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 1,325
From: Fleming Island, FL
Rings and bearings. Not arguing the zinc part. It's the "boutique" brands of oil. Hell, you could throw that Supertech oil in there that Walmart sells, add some ZDDP additive along with it and be good to go. With that said, I use Dale Junior approved Valvoline VR-1 non synthetic in the Vette, Motorcraft oll and filters in my Ford Ranger. Now I need to see who "Rich Children Racing" is partnered with and go back to eating M&M's at the movies.
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Dec 15, 2022 at 07:07 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 281
From: New York
What I find interesting is that I sent TWO emails to Valvoline through their wedsite asking if their VR-1 oil has normal additives, like detergents and corrosion/rust inhibitors, that would be required by a street driven vehicle.
They never answered.
Customer support seems to be hit or miss.
They never answered.
Customer support seems to be hit or miss.