Amsoil vs HPL; cost difference worth it?
- Thread starter ARB1977
- Start date
OK we get it you hate Amsoil move on.
hate's a strong word. no desire in it. lets keep the vocabulary civil.
Appreciate the quote but obviously others have argued it for years.
As long as your vehicle is an extended interval candidate, it's likely a wash on it's cost vs other oils OTS.
If it's 3k-5k intervals at 2-3 months each, the value isn't there obviously; unless you just love the brand. Nothing wrong with overpaying for oil, necessarily, as it's not a huge cost right?
But, the argument on cost alone becomes marginal, at best, if *safely* extending the interval to a year, 15k-20k etc.
If you're just dumping Amoil's SS at 3k in a couple of months; for whatever reason, obviously it's a waste.
Folks are so afraid of it performing like an entry level OTS synthetic basically. If that's the case, could there still be this belief "oil is just oil" somewhere in there? Bob would never.
That's why we're here! Some vehicles it may not matter mostly, based on vehicle combined with service conditions.Still, though, it's a (relatively) small cost over life of ownership and you aren't hurting anything other than some pocket cash even if you don't extend the interval as much as it could be.
Honestly, why is it only the OOP cost folks argue based on anyway? It's low hanging fruit and a tired beaten horse.
You aren't getting worse performance; at a minimum, and you've got headroom if you forgot the oil change last month, etc. It's not a question in product performance! It's a proven product line. (Signature Series)
For me personally, I prefer it for peace of mind these days because my wife became disabled years ago now. One thing you learn to adapt to living with an ill relative is that it's one less thing to worry about or do as frequently. They get more of your time and you have more energy overall.
Just 1 oil change a year. Done. I know the Signature Series can go the year with my used oil analysis to back it. What's not to like?
Patman
Staff member
You’re probably the kind of person who uses logic such as “I have smoked for 50 years and I’m not dead so it must be good for me”
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I don't want to pay for dexos licensing either . I never had a motor fail using non dexos oil 🛢
Comes free with most subscriptions
Sounds about right but no smokes for meYou’re probably the kind of person who uses logic such as “I have smoked for 50 years and I’m not dead so it must be good for me”
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Nope…….not even close
I know, my question was sarcastic. There is absolutely nothing special about the Royal Purple at Walmart…other than the ridiculous premium cost for what it is.
The purple dye makes it grape flavored!
They have their own mechanical lab
Yes, they were bought out in 2010 i believe after the founder passed or something like that. Their API line is basic with purple dye. Unsure if their HPS is still good or not
I dont forsee HPL making formulation changes to their core product lines
I like them both for different reasons:
Amsoil - positives: long history, very comprehensive line, mechanical engine lab, lots of testing data in-house, SS line is always top shelf, excellent manufacturer of syn lubes.
negatives: not everyone likes their marketing and sales method. Line is a bit cluttered now.
HPL - puts little into marketing and favors top treating all lines for maximum benefit using top notch components. Very transparent operation with clean USA facility.
negatives: lack in-house testing capabilities, no idea on technical staff/director etc. More of a blender than synthetic lubricant manufacturer like Amsoil. Top treat and send....
RL and Torco are also great boutique blenders with a long history.
Amsoil - positives: long history, very comprehensive line, mechanical engine lab, lots of testing data in-house, SS line is always top shelf, excellent manufacturer of syn lubes.
negatives: not everyone likes their marketing and sales method. Line is a bit cluttered now.
HPL - puts little into marketing and favors top treating all lines for maximum benefit using top notch components. Very transparent operation with clean USA facility.
negatives: lack in-house testing capabilities, no idea on technical staff/director etc. More of a blender than synthetic lubricant manufacturer like Amsoil. Top treat and send....
RL and Torco are also great boutique blenders with a long history.
Lack of in-house testing? That is completely false. HPL has a fantastic lab. At the HPL/BITOG open house a chemical rep that was there told me that HPL's lab is on par or better than the best lubricants testing lab he has seen at any lubricants formulator. He also explained that you would be surprised if you knew how many big names in lubricants don't have real labs.
HPL has a reputation in the racing world of having completely outstanding products. The products are outstanding because HPL tests formulas in their in-house lab to tweak the very last bit of performance from a formula. Do you know there are engine builders that will not warranty their engines unless they run HPL? Nobody can get that performance by just throwing in some additives without exhaustive testing.
You should visit HPL and you would understand better who they are.
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Good to know thanks. Lab and bench testing is one thing, but do they have a mechanical engine lab?
For example:
Taking oil for a test drive
About 500 formulations are blended each month at the technical centre in New Jersey. Our flagship products consists of about 15 to 20 hand selected components, which consist of synthetic base stocks and performance additives that address the demanding operating environments of today’s machines. Real-world testing begins at the EMRE technical centre, where candidate formulations are put through extreme tests in rigs, engines and vehicles which simulate high-speed, high-load and high-temperature environments. After testing, engines are disassembled and digital microscopes are used to inspect part surfaces for wear.
In another area of the centre, vehicles of every make and model are strapped to dynamometers to test oil blends, sometimes against competitive brands. Cycles can be custom-programmed to generate data for high speeds, stop-and-go traffic, long durations, or any combination of driving conditions.
Here is Amsoil's:
"Theres a difference between those who just blend, and those who fully engineer their products"
:30 seconds to 1:00 minute mark.
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Ask Mr. Ward from HPL if Amsoil has good products, he will tell you yes. HPL does not have an engine lab in-house, but when they need testing done that they can't do in house, they send it to a lab that can. Both companies are very serious about product performance, they have similar and different means to get there.
In my opinion HPL, AMSOIL and many others sell engine oils that are far better than anything sold 10 years ago or more.
Can someone PROVE that ANY full synthetic engine oil in the appropriate viscosity, sold today and changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles depending on driving style, temperature and environment, will not be great for an engine.
Also the appropriate filter.
Obviously change it far more often if racing or tracking the vehicle.
I am close to saying buy the least expensive synthetic engine oil.
Can someone PROVE that ANY full synthetic engine oil in the appropriate viscosity, sold today and changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles depending on driving style, temperature and environment, will not be great for an engine.
Also the appropriate filter.
Obviously change it far more often if racing or tracking the vehicle.
I am close to saying buy the least expensive synthetic engine oil.
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