How does non-GC Syntec stack up?

[Horatio]

Hey all. I've seen plenty of posts about German Castrol and how great it is but have there been any about the homegrown stuff? Is it so inferior that I shouldn't bother and just keep looking?

Thanks!

Greg

(BTW I would've searched but I wasn't really sure what keywords would give me an answer)

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

I think most here have a problem in it's Group III basestock at a Group IV price.

I don't think it's been flamed as a bad oil.

 

[G-MAN]

Domestic Syntec is an okay oil. You don't see too many people on here using it, hence not very many UOAs have been posted.

The one grade of domestic Syntec that is probably the best built is the 5w50. While all grades have some Group III base oil in them, the 5w50 probably has more Group IV and Group V in it than the others.

 

[FowVay]

I may be wrong but I was under the impression that Castrol wasn't just the ordinary run-of-the-mill group 3 oil like Valvoline and the others. I thought that it was made from the XHVI slack wax derived basestock and was actually a impressive oil.

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

---

Originally posted by FowVay:
I may be wrong but I was under the impression that Castrol wasn't just the ordinary run-of-the-mill group 3 oil like Valvoline and the others. I thought that it was made from the XHVI slack wax derived basestock and was actually a impressive oil.

---

The MSDS that was posted recently indicates that it has SOME XHVI in it, but it also has hydrocracked Group III. Some grades have PAO in the base oil blend, too.

 

[Jimbo]

The 10W-40 also is ACEA A3 and has the "Tide" detergent aroma. I'll post a UOA as soon as I get up to my target mileage.

 

[Dr. T]

From what I've noticed the other grades of Syntec are the same "5-40 Made In Belgium" formula.......either tweaked or formulated to match the intended viscosity.

So, they're really not all that bad...

 

[G-MAN]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dr. T:
From what I've noticed the other grades of Syntec are the same "5-40 Made In Belgium" formula.......either tweaked or formulated to match the intended viscosity.

---

How in the world can you "notice" than an oil made in the US is the same formula as the Belgian made Castrol!?

 

[ZiTS]

I'll be sending in a sample of 5w-20 Syntec to Blackstone within the next week or two. It is going to be a short OCI sample (1500-2000 miles), but since this is one of the newest oils out there, I want to see how it is holding up.

 

[Dr. T]

I know it sounds a little wacky, but when you use the different Syntec, you'd know what I mean. Kinda like knowing you're in a GM product, no mater what model...