Quote:
JAG,
Most wide range, multigrade oils use low molecular weight basestocks and lots of polymeric thickener, so I would not expect them to perform well on this test. These results are why I think it's STUPID to run a wide range (0w-40/5w-50) synthetic in a high temperature, gas turbo application. Even a Group III based, 5w-40 is not going to hold up all that well in these types of situations, although it will be marginally better than a 0w-40.
Unless you live in a very cold area and/or have a highly modified engine, you best bet for turbo operation is a thicker & very thermally stable, xw-30 synthetic. Something like GC, the Redline 5w30/10w-30 or the Amsoil Series 3000/5w30 or 10w30, Four Stroke Marine oil (HT/HS of 3.65 Cp, Noack of 4.8%)....For the highly modified motors, I'd recommend a PAO/Ester based 5w-40 or 10w-40, ie something like Mobil Delvac 1, the 10w-40 Mobil 1 MC oil, Redline, Amsoil, etc.
The SAE 0w-40's (and to a lesser extend 5w-50's), are simply a marketing gimic for uninformed customers who don't understand oil formulation and the tradeoffs you have to make. I don't care how many factory fill applications you oil is used in either,

since that's mainly a low bidder situation where mega-corporations (EOM, Shell and Castrol/BP) have the edge.