Here is an email I sent to Valvoline and the response I got. What do you guys think?
Quote:
This is the real story behind the myths. With ever increasing limits on emissions, automobile manufacturers have tightened emission control systems on newer vehicles. This is one of several factors considered when the American Petroleum Institute (API) sets standards for engine oil. The current API standard is SM which replaced the previous SL classification. Because phosphorus can poison a vehicles emission system, the level of zinc is lower for current engine oil. Because of this, many hands-on car enthusiasts and engine experts believe the lower levels of zinc in SM engine oil is causing excessive wear in older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. This is despite the fact that all new engine oil classifications are intended to be backward compatible, which in turn has resulted in the widely accepted belief that modern engine oil is not adequate to protect older engines.
Valvoline uses an advanced zinc/phosphorus additive that keeps higher levels of phosphorus in the engine oil where it protects the engine, instead of poisoning the catalytic converter. Valvoline is the only brand offering this unique additive across its entire line of passenger car engine oils, including SynPower which is the only synthetic offering this additive.
The only exclusion to this would be if you are operating a high performance or aggressive cam application, where high Zinc levels may be required. Because of these requirements, there are high-zinc engine oils available to meet this need, such as our Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil. The VR1 Racing Oil establishes a 75% higher zinc content than SM engine oil with a balanced additive package designed to work in both racing and street-legal applications. This product will protect older style push-rod and flat tappet engines and carries an oil change interval recommendation of 3 month/3,000 miles.
It is important to note, however, that the entire additive package still needs to be balanced for best performance. For example, engine oil with a high zinc level but low detergent may not perform over a drain interval of 3,000 miles or longer.
>>>> ----------------------------
>>>> From:
>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 4:29:11 AM
>>>> To: [email protected]
>>>> CC:
>>>> Subject: Valvoline.com New User Registration
>>>>
>>>> First Name: Dylan
>>>> Last Name: Maxwell
>>>> Address:
>>>> City:
>>>> State: 0
>>>> Zip:
>>>> Email:
>>>> feedback type: Which oil should I use for my vehicle?
>>>>
>>>> Comments:
>>>>
>>>> Im wondering what Oil you recommend for Flat Tappet cams (89 Cherokee,
>>>> 4.0l).
>>>> I am using Maxlife 10w40 right now, but I am worried that the amount
>>>> of zinc may be too low. Do you recommend any oils other than your
>>>> "VR1" that have the right amount of zinc for my engine? I am looking
>>>> for something I can find at the local Walmart that isnt too expensive.
>>>> If you dont have any appropriate oils I will switch it to Rotella,
>>>> which is said to have the proper amount of Zinc.
I might still go with Rotella next change..
Sorry if this is in the wrong spot.
Quote:
This is the real story behind the myths. With ever increasing limits on emissions, automobile manufacturers have tightened emission control systems on newer vehicles. This is one of several factors considered when the American Petroleum Institute (API) sets standards for engine oil. The current API standard is SM which replaced the previous SL classification. Because phosphorus can poison a vehicles emission system, the level of zinc is lower for current engine oil. Because of this, many hands-on car enthusiasts and engine experts believe the lower levels of zinc in SM engine oil is causing excessive wear in older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. This is despite the fact that all new engine oil classifications are intended to be backward compatible, which in turn has resulted in the widely accepted belief that modern engine oil is not adequate to protect older engines.
Valvoline uses an advanced zinc/phosphorus additive that keeps higher levels of phosphorus in the engine oil where it protects the engine, instead of poisoning the catalytic converter. Valvoline is the only brand offering this unique additive across its entire line of passenger car engine oils, including SynPower which is the only synthetic offering this additive.
The only exclusion to this would be if you are operating a high performance or aggressive cam application, where high Zinc levels may be required. Because of these requirements, there are high-zinc engine oils available to meet this need, such as our Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil. The VR1 Racing Oil establishes a 75% higher zinc content than SM engine oil with a balanced additive package designed to work in both racing and street-legal applications. This product will protect older style push-rod and flat tappet engines and carries an oil change interval recommendation of 3 month/3,000 miles.
It is important to note, however, that the entire additive package still needs to be balanced for best performance. For example, engine oil with a high zinc level but low detergent may not perform over a drain interval of 3,000 miles or longer.
>>>> ----------------------------
>>>> From:
>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 4:29:11 AM
>>>> To: [email protected]
>>>> CC:
>>>> Subject: Valvoline.com New User Registration
>>>>
>>>> First Name: Dylan
>>>> Last Name: Maxwell
>>>> Address:
>>>> City:
>>>> State: 0
>>>> Zip:
>>>> Email:
>>>> feedback type: Which oil should I use for my vehicle?
>>>>
>>>> Comments:
>>>>
>>>> Im wondering what Oil you recommend for Flat Tappet cams (89 Cherokee,
>>>> 4.0l).
>>>> I am using Maxlife 10w40 right now, but I am worried that the amount
>>>> of zinc may be too low. Do you recommend any oils other than your
>>>> "VR1" that have the right amount of zinc for my engine? I am looking
>>>> for something I can find at the local Walmart that isnt too expensive.
>>>> If you dont have any appropriate oils I will switch it to Rotella,
>>>> which is said to have the proper amount of Zinc.
I might still go with Rotella next change..
Sorry if this is in the wrong spot.
