Has anyone used Z-Max?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: Lorton VA
Has anyone used Z-Max?
Just wondering if anyone has used Z-Max oil & fuel additives?
A friend/co-worker (who is almost done restoring a 1967 cougar), told me about Z-max and how it penetrates into the metal
(didn't know metal was porous). Do they do what they claim (even Carroll Shelby endorses Z-Max) or another one of those hyped up, I've got money to waste products?
A friend/co-worker (who is almost done restoring a 1967 cougar), told me about Z-max and how it penetrates into the metal
(didn't know metal was porous). Do they do what they claim (even Carroll Shelby endorses Z-Max) or another one of those hyped up, I've got money to waste products?
Last edited by taegee2; Jul 23, 2009 at 10:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 989
Likes: 14
From: Hewitt, TX
I haven't used it but had the same questions so I used the search function and found this. It may help.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-additive.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-additive.html
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 20
From: FLORIDA
I bought the kit in Florida this spring before returning home back up north.
As for the claim that it increases mileage I see no difference than before without it. As far as penetrating the metal, who knows. You would have to take there word for that.
I do know it's expensive.
As for the claim that it increases mileage I see no difference than before without it. As far as penetrating the metal, who knows. You would have to take there word for that.
I do know it's expensive.
Last edited by ROJ#79; Jul 23, 2009 at 09:46 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: Lorton VA
I've used Slick 50 before in my previous cars...couldn't tell the difference, if there were any.
I guess you couldn't go wrong with the manufacturer's recommendation (additives not recommended) as long as you do your regular routine maintenace (i.e. regular oil changes).
I guess you couldn't go wrong with the manufacturer's recommendation (additives not recommended) as long as you do your regular routine maintenace (i.e. regular oil changes).
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
From: Lorton VA
Does anyone know what's in the Marvel Mystery Oil ?
Heck, why not just go to your kitchen, grab that bottle of olive oil or vegetable oil (or whatever you have), and just pour then in to your gas tank, engine, etc. They are after all, oil, and the best thing about them...is that they're all natural (lol).
Heck, why not just go to your kitchen, grab that bottle of olive oil or vegetable oil (or whatever you have), and just pour then in to your gas tank, engine, etc. They are after all, oil, and the best thing about them...is that they're all natural (lol).
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,126
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Does anyone know what's in the Marvel Mystery Oil ?
Heck, why not just go to your kitchen, grab that bottle of olive oil or vegetable oil (or whatever you have), and just pour then in to your gas tank, engine, etc. They are after all, oil, and the best thing about them...is that they're all natural (lol).
Heck, why not just go to your kitchen, grab that bottle of olive oil or vegetable oil (or whatever you have), and just pour then in to your gas tank, engine, etc. They are after all, oil, and the best thing about them...is that they're all natural (lol).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
Just change your oil every 3000 to 4000 miles and you will be OK. I did use Prolong on a GM 3.8 V6 and it did appear to drop the temp on the gauge by 10 degrees. I did nothing else, gas mileage appeared to be about the same. Per package, they claim the stuff is real slick which means less friction which means less heat. That's about the only claim that came true. So what do I know...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
20 years after the big Slick 50 barrage, it has been proven that it does absolutely nothing but make your wallet lighter, there was not enough PTFE in it to do anything. I'd be willing to bet that the same thing will be found out about Zmax.
It just goes to show you that everyone (Carrol Shelby) has their price.
It just goes to show you that everyone (Carrol Shelby) has their price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 6
From: hagerstown md
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I don't know about all the hype for additives. I do know I have used Dura Lube in every vehicle I've ever owned and never had an internal breakage. And several I've driven well over 150K miles or more.
Of course, I do regular maintanence like you're supposed to, so......
Of course, I do regular maintanence like you're supposed to, so......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
Dura Lube was another one that was found to do nothing but make your wallet lighter and was ordered by the courts to stop its claims and hype. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/dura_lube.htm
I believe that oils, especially the synthetics are so much better than they were 30 years ago or more and couple that with the engineering strides by manufactures of engines that there is no reason for additives to help with lubrication. Just use the oils that the meet the manufactures specs and change at the interval they recommend and your engine will last for a very long time.
There are numerous cases of C5 owners that have gotten 200,000 miles and 1 I saw not to long ago that got 300,000 miles just using Mobil 1 and changing as recommended.
I believe that oils, especially the synthetics are so much better than they were 30 years ago or more and couple that with the engineering strides by manufactures of engines that there is no reason for additives to help with lubrication. Just use the oils that the meet the manufactures specs and change at the interval they recommend and your engine will last for a very long time.
There are numerous cases of C5 owners that have gotten 200,000 miles and 1 I saw not to long ago that got 300,000 miles just using Mobil 1 and changing as recommended.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
I read somewhere that Shelby owns or is a major share holder in ZMax.I have always thought if anyof these wonder additives actually were proven to work, the car makers would be using them to lower warranty repairs and up their Cafe fuel mileage.
CF Community Team
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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The feds have already gone after Z-Max for making false and unsubstantiated performance claims. The ultimate Snake Oil 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
I am going to chime in on this topic. A lot of folks poo poo these products as snake oil and for the most part they are probably right. I think a lot depends on what you are looking for out of these products. I was not interested in improved mileage or performance. I think a high grade synthetic oil does the trick. After my H/C install, I had some slight valve noise at certain RPMs as will happend from time to time with these setups. My cam is upper 230s with valve lift over 0.60. I said, what the heck, lets put some ZMAX in at my next oil change and see what happens. All I have to say is the noise disappeared and the car runs great. Mine is not a daily driver but I do change the oil once per year. I started putting ZMAX in last September a few months after my H/C install and I plan to keep putting it in every year as long as it keeps the valve noise down. I for one have had a good experience with the product.
