Valvoline Racing oil vs Rotella T 15W40

[a3v03v0]

I am sure the oil issue had been beat to death so if you are thinking stop here. <--

The is based on data from the internet and I did my best to keep it short.

I found Valvoline Oil Products Racing 20W50 - Not Street Legal, 1 quart,
Part Number: VV851 Price: $7.29 through the local carquest.

From the Valvoline FAQ (this is not VR1 Racing Oil)

Valvoline "Not Street Legal" Racing Oil which contains .14 percent (1400ppm) of zinc and .13 percent (1300ppm) of phosphorus .
.

Rotella T testing

Next was the current "Shell Rotella" T, 15W/40. It contained 944 PPM Phosphorus and 1133 PPM Zinc. You can see that the ZDDP content has been slightly reduced, but not enough to worry about because it is still almost double the 1980s vintage oil.

(Racing Oil)/(Rotella T 15W40)
Phosphorus 1300/944 = 1.38
Zinc 1400/1133 = 1.24

The racing oil has 38% more phosphorus and 24% more Zinc.

These are sizeable percentages but maybe either is adequate. The confusion is compounded because not all oils use the same form of ZDDP, some protect at lower temperatures which make them more effective. Also too much detergent can reduce the effectiveness of ZDDP.

Which is better? I don't have a clue.

[bocephus1991]

To me , don't take this wrong you're comparing apples to bananas. The valvoline is not street legal the rotella is. Also with epa regulations the valvoline may not stay the same formula for long. I'll stick with rotella 15/40 in my truck and IH low ash in my cub.

[J-Mech]

From my experience, the best oil is the kind you change on regular intervals.

[a3v03v0]

Originally Posted by bocephus1991

To me , don't take this wrong you're comparing apples to bananas. The valvoline is not street legal the rotella is. Also with epa regulations the valvoline may not stay the same formula for long. I'll stick with rotella 15/40 in my truck and IH low ash in my cub.

I was thinking about oil for our old cub engines when I wrote the post. Somehow that was removed when I edited the post to keep it short and to the point. But it was posted in the GT forum. It is apples.

[Sam Mac]

The Valvoline is great stuff if your running a high lift cam with high valve spring pressures and flat lifters at high RPM's it was recommended by the guy that used to build my race engines along with some other oils. For what we are running Rotella is more that you need. For what it's worth I used to run Rotella in my race engine. Never had a problem because of oil. Reason it's not street legal is the zinc kills the cats and O2 sensors.

[a3v03v0]

Cool as it is $2 a quart cheaper and in stock locally.
Thanks

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

The Valvoline is great stuff if your running a high lift cam with high valve spring pressures and flat lifters at high RPM's it was recommended by the guy that used to build my race engines along with some other oils. For what we are running Rotella is more that you need. For what it's worth I used to run Rotella in my race engine. Never had a problem because of oil. Reason it's not street legal is the zinc kills the cats and O2 sensors.

[Jeff in Pa]

Another thing to consider is the Kohlers are air cooled.

[R Bedell]

From my experience, the best oil is the kind you change on regular intervals

AMEN....

[Shrewcub]

I use Rotella. If you have oil on the dipstick, You're doing better than 90% of the customers I have!

[PGHsteelworker]

I have to agree with J Mech and Roland. It doesn't matter what you use as long as it is changed regularly, although I use nothing but Castrol in my small engines and have never had any lubrication related problems ever, and I don't baby my equipment.