Originally Posted By: sammy
Originally Posted By: RamFan
I gotta tell ya... I don't see much of a difference when compared to the conventional counterparts.
Other than -30 Vis. and lower NOACK numbers there doesn't seem to be much difference. I guess you could say Synthetics have a slightly higher average TBN but it is slightly, not as much as I was expecting for sure.
When I see them test some real synthetics and they come out the same, I would agree with you 100. I really would like to see Redline and Amsoil in the test, and I find it troubling they decided to omit them since they are top of the heap oils. I hope it wasn't intentional. Other then RP what oil did they test that was synthetic? My own personal theory of RP was designed for increased fuel mileage and HP and not necessarily protection. I might get flamed, but that was the result on gear tv when they dino'd RP in the engine and tranny and ended up with considerable HP gains over conventional oil. I will be more convinced in your statement if I see the tests on true group 4/5. I am glad this is coming up now, maybe we all were sold a bill of goods on synthetic.
One other thing troubled me, did everyone notice the absence of Molly is so many oils? What's up with that. Bring me into the loop, I don't post that often.
I'm not sure what you guys expect to "see" exactly? The higher flash point, lower NOACK and lower pour points/cold temp performance are the advantages synthetics have. You aren't going to see anything magical on these VOA's to otherwise sets them apart from their conventional counterparts. The advantages of synthetics are increased tolerance to extreme heat and better performance in the extreme cold. They are usually also less volatile. That's it. That's the advantage list in a nutshell.
And the reason Redline wasn't tested would likely be because it isn't an API-approved lubricant and isn't seen on store shelves. You'll likely also only see the API versions (OE and XL) of AMSOIL tested as well for the same reason.
BTW, Dyno TV's results were the resulted they "expected". Chew on that if you think the results were an actual representation of increased power output.
Think sponsorship.....
And nobody is being sold a "bill of goods" on synthetics. If you have a car that requires them, like I do, then you use them. If you have an engine that isn't hard on oil and doesn't require a synthetic, you are likely wasting your money unless you are extending your drain intervals.