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High Zinc Oils

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Old Aug 6, 2021 | 08:29 AM
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Default High Zinc Oils

Will any potential damage occur using " High Zinc" oils in the LT-1 engine or CAT ?
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Old Aug 6, 2021 | 08:45 AM
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Only emission controlled cars do not like zinc (O2 sensors) The rest of the motor loves it
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Old Aug 6, 2021 | 10:13 AM
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A 93 has an 02 sensor
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Old Aug 6, 2021 | 11:52 AM
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the LT-1 has no sliding surface valve train parts that require zinc. why would you use it???
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 05:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
the LT-1 has no sliding surface valve train parts that require zinc. why would you use it???
What about the bearings? Don't they benefit from zinc?

Last edited by rhandle; Aug 8, 2021 at 05:50 AM.
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 07:27 AM
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Default I did mean LT1

Originally Posted by toolengineer
Will any potential damage occur using " High Zinc" oils in the LT-1 engine or CAT ?
LT1 motor in a 93
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 08:24 AM
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So as a tool engineer do you follow any SAE specs? If you would bother to read your owners manual there are SAE specs on fluids for your car. One of which is oil. I see no reason or benefit from not using the recommend oil called out by the people who designed and built your engine.
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 08:29 AM
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Sorry the question offends you..Just asking opinions of experienced Corvette enthusiasts
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 08:37 AM
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Chevy WILL recommend the best oil available at the time. If a little more zinc was good it would not make any difference as it was not available. In my 1972 Honda CB750 I add a little bottle of zinc additive at each oil change. Dan
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 08:43 AM
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Originally Posted by toolengineer
Sorry the question offends you..Just asking opinions of experienced Corvette enthusiasts
no not offended. Just dumbfounded why this question would be asked. Follow the guidelines set forth by the GM engineers and the SAE.
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
no not offended. Just dumbfounded why this question would be asked. Follow the guidelines set forth by the GM engineers and the SAE.
I am pretty sure the amount of zinc in oil has drastically changed (lowered) since the engineers specd the oil to be used a quarter century ago. Dan
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Whaleman
I am pretty sure the amount of zinc in oil has drastically changed (lowered) since the engineers specd the oil to be used a quarter century ago. Dan
no I highly doubt that. The valve train is what spec is for. The valve train used in LT-1 are still in use today on just about every production car.
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
no I highly doubt that. The valve train is what spec is for. The valve train used in LT-1 are still in use today on just about every production car.
let me get this straight. You believe the amount of zinc in oil is the same as it was 25 years ago? Dan
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 10:00 AM
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While you can still expect some zinc in your motor oil, today’s oil doesn’t have as much as it did in the past. The American Petroleum Institute’s rating caused the industry to systematically reduce levels of zinc in their oil since 1994. If you have a newer car, this should not be a problem.

cut and paste
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Whaleman
let me get this straight. You believe the amount of zinc in oil is the same as it was 25 years ago? Dan
do you realize how many different spec oils there are. Oil rated in the C category has the amount of zinc needed for engines built before 1986. So your general assumption is wrong This is why the SAE papers and understanding comes into play
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
no not offended. Just dumbfounded why this question would be asked. Follow the guidelines set forth by the GM engineers and the SAE.
Things change and improve my friend...synthetics is a perfect example..
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by toolengineer
Things change and improve my friend...synthetics is a perfect example..
what do you think the GM spec calls out….
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To High Zinc Oils

Old Aug 8, 2021 | 07:29 PM
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I do what bowling green tells me Mobil one and 93 !!!! They can see us , duh !
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Old Aug 8, 2021 | 08:26 PM
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Guys,guys,guys!
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Old Aug 9, 2021 | 07:42 AM
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I love oil threads - here's my opinion that I am sure will ruffle feathers.

Grab a jug of rotella T6 diesel oil (5w40) and don't look back. It's full of good vitamins and minerals that the motor likes. As long as the engine is not an oil burner - the o2 sensors, cats, etc will never know the difference.

It's in my 350-650k mile powerstrokes, wifes 3.5 ecoboost, every vette I've owned, riding mowers, small engines, almost every motorcycle I've had, etc - AND the oil is nearly $20usd/gal if you look for specials/coupons.
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