Changing from Factory Non-Synthetic Fluids to Synthetic = Power gains ?

[zeroptzero]

I remember reading some tests done where they switched older cars to full synthetic fluids and they found some power gains on the dyno. I think Royal Purple was a proponent of that testing, often on older muscle cars.

Do you think that is still possible today when you dump factory non-synthetic fluids to aftermarket synthetic fluids , with all other variables being constant ? If you change motor oil, differential fluid, and transmission fluid to high quality synthetic versions (with viscosities remaining similar) on a RWD setup.

 

[Dutchy491]

For sure…..but likely difficult to notice.

 

[Brian123]

I remember reading some tests done where they switched older cars to full synthetic fluids and they found some power gains on the dyno. I think Royal Purple was a proponent of that testing, often on older muscle cars.

Do you think that is still possible today when you dump factory non-synthetic fluids to aftermarket synthetic fluids , with all other variables being constant. If you change motor oil, differential fluid, and transmission fluid to high quality synthetic versions (with viscosities remaining similar) on a RWD setup.

Realize that Royal Purple will say anything to get you to buy their stuff.

 

[Kira]

The guesses members will make will average around "barely measurable".

It would be interesting to know what percentage of conventional lube products are still used on the assembly line.
Engine oils: I'd guess a bunch are conv. as it'd save $. Hopefully, the modern engines and turbo equipped engines come with synth.
Transmission fluids: ATF is said to be highly engineered. Even conv. ATF is advanced.
Gear oils: Some are, some aren't. (best guess)
Power steering fluid: Likely most have synth. as modern pumps are smaller and are of the 'floating vane' type which, I think, require a synth.

 

[ripcord]

Even if any gains equalled 5hp, which I doubt, that's pretty much invisible to the seat-of-pants-o-meter.

 

[Urshurak776]

In theory, sure. You gonna feel it? Nope……

 

[zeroptzero]

For sure…..but likely difficult to notice.

So not likely picked up by the butt dyno. I can believe that.

 

[zeroptzero]

The guesses members will make will average around "barely measurable".

It would be interesting to know what percentage of conventional lube products are still used on the assembly line.
Engine oils: I'd guess a bunch are conv. as it'd save $. Hopefully, the modern engines and turbo equipped engines come with synth.
Transmission fluids: ATF is said to be highly engineered. Even conv. ATF is advanced.
Gear oils: Some are, some aren't. (best guess)
Power steering fluid: Likely most have synth. as modern pumps are smaller and are of the 'floating vane' type which, I think, require a synth.

My guess is that factory motor oil could be conventional, factories go out of their way to save 1 cent on every vehicle produced, it adds up over time. I think most factory transmission fluids (manual tranny) are conventional, along with differential fluids.

All of my vehicles have electric power steering now, so nothing to change on those racks.

My current car apparently gains 5 whp by removing the charcoal air filter, I could not detect that level of gain, but I was happy to get it for free. 5 hp from a fluid swap would be icing on the cake lol

 

[Intelligent Molecule]

Butt Dyno = BITOG Science

 

[zeroptzero]

Butt Dyno = BITOG Science

Everyone wants to think they are getting an improvement on something that costs money

 

[nascarnation]

Viscosity is viscosity no matter what the lubricant is made of. I don't think the mechanism cares.
I've run tests on transmissions (both freespin and powered) using excellent Himmelstein torque sensors and that's what we found. Grp II, Grp III, and PAO based fluids of the same viscosity all had the same numbers.

I know when they run four laps at Indy for qualifying they use lube that's a lot thinner than the stuff that they run for 200 laps.

 

[zeroptzero]

Viscosity is viscosity no matter what the lubricant is made of. I don't think the mechanism cares.
I've run tests on transmissions (both freespin and powered) using excellent Himmelstein torque sensors and that's what we found. Grp II, Grp III, and PAO based fluids of the same viscosity all had the same numbers.

I know when they run four laps at Indy for qualifying they use lube that's a lot thinner than the stuff that they run for 200 laps.

Do you think there is any difference in reduced friction , if viscosity is similar.

 

[TurboZedd-R]

Let's say a vehicle for some reason has a legitimate convention oil and you swap to amsoil ss, HPL, or redline, then you will see a statistically significant reduction in friction. However, that statistically significant reduction in friction may not mean real world difference, which is known as but dyno.

Regardless, any off the shelf oil at Walmart will likey be overkill for 99% of applications when changed at a reasonable interval.

 

[TomYoung]

Is the op talking about oil, or including other fluids? What vehicles are we talking about? It has been decades since anything shipped with conventional. Even if I am missing something, I would say that it is almost always correct to replace conventional fluids with synthetics.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Someone needs to explain to me how a synthetic oil "significantly reduces friction" vs a conventional - assuming its the same viscosity?

I am assuming new out of bottle - not after 10K miles or something?

 

[daniel327]

I'd wager that you'd achieve a similar level of "extra" performance by simply ensuring your tires are correctly inflated.

 

[zeroptzero]

I'd wager that you'd achieve a similar level of "extra" performance by simply ensuring your tires are correctly inflated.

That is a good suggestion, I like to go about 2 psi over recommended on most of my vehicles.

 

[Dutchy491]

But…..is your gauge calibrated for accuracy

 

[daniel327]

But…..is your gauge calibrated for accuracy

I have three digital tire gauges and they're all within 1 PSI of each other. So, they're either all wrong or they're all pretty close to being correct. Either way, I enjoy long tire tread life, so I'm not concerned.

 

[kschachn]

Base stock is about the last thing that’s significant here. This supposed test that you “remember reading” is likely contrived or nonexistent.

Another good non-topic topic.