engine oil
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
All current API SN spec engine oils, synthetic or conventional are limited to 800 ppm phosphorus. If you are using an API SN spec oil, then it should comply with this limit. High Mileage oils or specialty oils like this one bypass the current API SN limits:
AMSOIL Z-ROD 10w30 Synthetic Motor Oil (Product Code ZRTQT)
(zinc – 1440 ppm, phosphorus 1320 ppm)
Almost all off the shelf oils meet API SN thus will not have enough ZDDP to be considered by most for use in a flat tappet cam engine.
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C66 Racing #66 NASA ST2, SCCA T2
AMSOIL Dealer (Forum Vendor)
AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What year car? The Zinc isn't "missing", but there is a limit to how much is in most synthetics. It is not a big deal for regular street driven roller cam engines, but for racing engines or flat tappet cam engines the added ZDDP is needed to prevent excessive wear on critical parts.
As well, the switch was in 86 models, which I think is the switch from iron heads to aluminum heads.I have seen one guys 86 go bad due to lack of zinc additive and excessive wear. He did autox regularly which I'm sure increases the wear.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
I had an 87 Firebird Formula with a 305 engine and a carb. When I tore the engine down it had the one piece rear seal and was a roller cam block with a flat tappet cam in it. My 86 Trans Am 305 with a carb had the 2 piece block and a flat tappet cam and no provisions for a roller cam. I have read the same type findings for the 86 and 87 350's too.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
I had an 87 Firebird Formula with a 305 engine and a carb. When I tore the engine down it had the one piece rear seal and was a roller cam block with a flat tappet cam in it. My 86 Trans Am 305 with a carb had the 2 piece block and a flat tappet cam and no provisions for a roller cam. I have read the same type findings for the 86 and 87 350's too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: It's Bad Ass in Black! Cape Coral, Florida
Dino oil and a can of zddplus from amazon...
http://www.zddplus.com/
Why do I* need ZDDP?
**** The EPA has put stricter emission requirements on new cars that influenced manufacturers to remove ZDDP from motor oils. If you have an older car that was specified to use SF (1988) or earlier motor oil, its design requires ZDDP. Your older performance car could be damaged with the use of modern SM oils prevalent today. Cars equipped with flat tappet cams need ZDDP because of the high-pressure points. Newer cars have roller rockers and ZDDP is not needed in those applications
http://www.zddplus.com/
Why do I* need ZDDP?
**** The EPA has put stricter emission requirements on new cars that influenced manufacturers to remove ZDDP from motor oils. If you have an older car that was specified to use SF (1988) or earlier motor oil, its design requires ZDDP. Your older performance car could be damaged with the use of modern SM oils prevalent today. Cars equipped with flat tappet cams need ZDDP because of the high-pressure points. Newer cars have roller rockers and ZDDP is not needed in those applications
Last edited by thecatmac; Jul 31, 2012 at 08:17 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
oil
I am trying to find the correct motoroil to use in my 1986.
The shop manual and owners manualare very insistant the APService designation be API Seervice SF/CC or SF/CD.
I shoped at three car parts stores and discovered that I could not find these designstionson any oil.
I have been told that if a car is older rtan 1988 which mine in then you need special oil for older cars.
So I am wondering what you gys are using,
The shop manual and owners manualare very insistant the APService designation be API Seervice SF/CC or SF/CD.
I shoped at three car parts stores and discovered that I could not find these designstionson any oil.
I have been told that if a car is older rtan 1988 which mine in then you need special oil for older cars.
So I am wondering what you gys are using,
Last edited by 70ZZ3 96LT4; Aug 2, 2012 at 09:19 PM.