PQIA's Synthetics - Part Three

[Topo]

I will be posting a UOA on Napa Synthetic 5W30 in several weeks. I'm going for 8,000 mile run. We can compare between the virgin and the used oil to see how close they are. I love Napa Synthetic Oil! Now we can stop all the jargon about it being Valvoline Synthetic Light. I say within margin of error it's almost exactly the same as regular synpower, I'm glad I have 1.5 cases left.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Where are you guys getting Formula Shell, especially at $3.50/qt?


I got it from Amazon. There are deals on it at Menards I believe if you have one in your area.

 

[KCJeep]

The add packs between Synpower and Napa are even more similar than I would have expected. But I still question that they are the same, while neither appears to be very suitable for extended OCI's, most UOA's I've seen here suggest the Napa is about shot at 5k, while the Synpower seems more capable of a few thousand miles more.

Better base stocks in Synpower maybe? Hidden additives? My imagination?

 

[aquariuscsm]

Syntec had the highest TBN,right?

 

[05LGTLtd]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Syntec had the highest TBN,right?


Edge

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Syntec had the highest TBN,right?


But a rather poor VI and -30C performance.

 

[david_ES2]

Too bad no mobil1 EP or Amsoil, but Ultra is surely top dog on paper, im really gonna miss those $27 5qt jugs at walmart, and dont forget those rebates either

 

[Topo]

The add packs between Synpower and Napa are even more similar than I would have expected. But I still question that they are the same, while neither appears to be very suitable for extended OCI's, most UOA's I've seen here suggest the Napa is about shot at 5k, while the Synpower seems more capable of a few thousand miles more.

Shot on who's car, how do they drive?, it depends on the application and vehicle, Look at my UOA on Napa Synthetic 10W30 and I say that one is less robust than the 5W30. 6,000 miles with a TBN of 2.9 which possibly could get me another 2,000 miles or more, since TBN isn't linear. Some of the UOA's you look at are old on Napa Synthetic, who's to say things haven't changed on the product. Anyways follow the Napa post coming up in 2 weeks to check my run of 8,000 miles on Napa Syn. 5W30. I will post if it's good or bad.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: buster
Pennzoil Ultra is the numbers king.


WHY would you say that? Its certainly good, but "king?" Not of anything except NOACK. Its thinner on all the viscosity numbers than M1 (not necessarily a bad thing). You could even argue that its more nearly in the middle of the spec window than some others, but still the only clear "king" factor I see is NOACK. And yes, it wins that one by a mile.

 

[Ibrahim]

These reports are godsend! 2013 seems to be just keep getting better and better... Shell Full Synthetic is a real bundle of surprise!

 

[donnyj08]

The Kendall looks very stout, loads of calcium, loads of boron, and a healthy helping of moly and TI? Very nice. I may order a case of 10w30 for the s2000

Add pack wise the Kendall looks the strongest, PU gtl basestock is definitly a benchmark for the other lubes.

The RP and Lucus are pitiful for "top tier" brands. ST looks better than both.

 

[Indy]

Great find martinq. Is there anything on synthetic 5w20 on their site or are they pretty much the same as 5w30.I realy dont know whats up with Valvoline and Lucas.My buddy just lives for Lucas products and Castrol but we both agree on the numbers for the Valvoline but hard to make him understand the die hard Lucas fan.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: 05LGTLtd
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Syntec had the highest TBN,right?


Edge


It was Edge Syntec and not Edge Titanium.

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: JavierG
Originally Posted By: tinmanSC
It's interesting how Valvoline SynPower and Napa Synthetic are almost identical, except for a small change at -30C (one wonders if this is within the margin of error for the test). I also heard that Napa syn was SynPower with a watered down additive pack, but it certainly doesn't seem to be.

I agree. In fact, I thought Napa was a clearly inferior oil based on what I had read on some other posts. Now I don't feel as bad as I was going to use it for the next several oil changes in my Ridge. The Ultra numbers are incredible.


I agree. Those numbers are IDENTICAL to synpower! I'd say its good to say they are almost, if not, the same oil now.

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Where are you guys getting Formula Shell, especially at $3.50/qt?


I got it from Amazon. There are deals on it at Menards I believe if you have one in your area.


My menards doesn't have the full synthetic formula shell, actually I've never seen it in any menards around here. Only the conventional.

 

[Topo]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: buster
Pennzoil Ultra is the numbers king.


WHY would you say that? Its certainly good, but "king?" Not of anything except NOACK. Its thinner on all the viscosity numbers than M1 (not necessarily a bad thing). You could even argue that its more nearly in the middle of the spec window than some others, but still the only clear "king" factor I see is NOACK. And yes, it wins that one by a mile.

I ran the premium royal purple in my car which has and outstanding Noak, yet my car burned 2.25 quarts in 6,000 miles, worst I have ever seen on my vehicle. So sometimes Noak isn't everything, would you agree?

 

[Topo]

Originally Posted By: david_ES2
Too bad no mobil1 EP or Amsoil, but Ultra is surely top dog on paper, im really gonna miss those $27 5qt jugs at walmart, and dont forget those rebates either


It will be found somewhere. I can ship you some, the Walmart in my area still stocking it, no signs of leaving.

 

[Topo]

Has anyone noticed how TBN's are lower than they used to be back in the day, perhaps with the better base stocks and additives it isn't so much of an issue now.

 

[martinq]

Originally Posted By: Indy
Great find martinq. Is there anything on synthetic 5w20 on their site or are they pretty much the same as 5w30.

Most of the main-brand 5w30s will also have a 5w20 version and the specs should be very similar. I searched PQIA but could only find one SAE 20 tested:
http://www.pqiamerica.com/Janaury 2012 test results/wolfshead.htm

No doubt we'll see some SAE 20 action in the future from them as it becomes more common.

 

[Black_Thunder]

yeah i would kill to find some Formula Shell synthetic around here.


Pennz Ultra was easy to find at walmart but they just clearance it all out so i'm guessing its gone.

they still have Platinum though.