Do I really need to pay the price of Red Armor or is Wally World just as good? Is there another 2 cycle oil that you guys recommend? Thanks.
Red Armor vs Walmart 2 cycle oil- or other alternative
- Thread starter clydesdale
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VP Racing 2 cycle oil won't let you or anyone down. It is available at Tractor Supply Company year round and WalMart from Spring to Autumn.
I’ve used Echo Power Blend Gold for years at a 50:1 ratio, never a problem. A six pack, which makes 6 gallons at 50:1 is $16 on Amazon. It burns clean and I haven’t had a fouled plug or gummed up spark arrestor screen since I started using it. Echo warranties their new equipment for 5 years if using their oil mixed with 89 octane gas.
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- Jul 28, 2024
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Does the super tech have a fuel stabilizer, If so. what does red armor do better?
Been using supertech marine 2 stroke in all my 2 stroke equipment for almost 16 years by now since it's consistently been the cheapest and everything runs strong including equipment I've owned since before I switched. Though I do like to run a richer 40:1 instead of 50.
Echo dealer and lawnsite.com folks were using and recommending Red Armor. I have never heard of VP racing, but will take a look. The Red Armor seems to be way more expensive than Wally World.
Check your local WalMart's garden center. If they still have some VP Racing in stock, they often reduce it for seasonal clearance in October/November.
I vote for the VP Racing as mentioned above, Tractor Supply always has it in stock at my store. If not the VP, Home Depot has a 16oz bottle of Red Armor that makes 6 gal for reasonable. I personally run Red Armor in all of my 2 stroke stuff, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about the VP mix and it meets the requirements for Echo’s warranty…. The Stihl Ultra that I used to run did not and is the reason I started running the Red Armor. I’d use either Red Armor or VP Racing with confidence, they both meet or exceed ISO-L-EGD and JASO FD.
What are you using it in and how much? If you have some trash 2 stroke OPE that you use all the time, and burn through a lot of fuel, then yeah, most any cheap 2 stroke premix oil that is JASO FD or FC (at a minimum) should do. If you have something better, and use it less often, spend the extra pennies and get the Red Armor or VP oil. Your carb and internals will thank you.
Reminds me to check the local Wally. Got 2 bottles last year ~$6 each.
dnewton3
Staff member
As with any other lubricant, brands are not as important as are the certifications they carry (or exceed).
It's hard to know what ST brand of 2-cycle oil is accredited to; they do a poor job of giving details.
Any lube that is certified to JASO FD and ISO L-EGD is going to be desirable for typical 2-cycle applications; these are the common expectations for Echo, Stihl and others. (This won't apply to marine 2-cycle apps; those are different).
I use the Mystik brand; certified to those specs I mentioned.
It's hard to know what ST brand of 2-cycle oil is accredited to; they do a poor job of giving details.
Any lube that is certified to JASO FD and ISO L-EGD is going to be desirable for typical 2-cycle applications; these are the common expectations for Echo, Stihl and others. (This won't apply to marine 2-cycle apps; those are different).
I use the Mystik brand; certified to those specs I mentioned.
Red Armor is a good product. I used to use it in my Echo stuff. Whether it is "better" or not than another product like Supertech, or VP is another story.
No you do not need to use Red Armor for Echo warranty.
I recommend if you dont use the ODPE very often and it "sits", use Trufuel.
I have used SABRE, from Amsoil, and it works very well. They somehow with sorcery, make the mix 100:1. Ran several tanks out of my Echo blower with no issues, and it seemed to run a bit faster and more powerfully. This is not a scientific observation, just gauging by sound and feel.
If you do choose to add an additive to pump gas, get non ethanol and the highest octane you can find.
Also, check to see it the non ethanol, is really non ethanol, as I have had ethanol in non ethanol gas before.
What a lot of guys do is:
use pump gas while in season, with a cheap stabilizer, then at the end of season on the last fillup, fill with Trufuel for storage.
I cannot overstate the performance of Trufuel.
No you do not need to use Red Armor for Echo warranty.
I recommend if you dont use the ODPE very often and it "sits", use Trufuel.
I have used SABRE, from Amsoil, and it works very well. They somehow with sorcery, make the mix 100:1. Ran several tanks out of my Echo blower with no issues, and it seemed to run a bit faster and more powerfully. This is not a scientific observation, just gauging by sound and feel.
If you do choose to add an additive to pump gas, get non ethanol and the highest octane you can find.
Also, check to see it the non ethanol, is really non ethanol, as I have had ethanol in non ethanol gas before.
What a lot of guys do is:
use pump gas while in season, with a cheap stabilizer, then at the end of season on the last fillup, fill with Trufuel for storage.
I cannot overstate the performance of Trufuel.
I run the echo red armor and my pistons, rings, and exhaust port are perfectly clean and new looking.
Echo Red Armor
Husqvarna XP
VP Racing Full Synthetic
Amsoil Sabre (mixed at 40 or 50:1) Please stop mixing it at 100:1!
Skip the Stihl Ultra unless someone gives it away for free. It is old 1980s tech JASO FB. Even then I would only use it in an emergency.
Echo Red Armor
Husqvarna XP
VP Racing Full Synthetic
Amsoil Sabre (mixed at 40 or 50:1) Please stop mixing it at 100:1!
Skip the Stihl Ultra unless someone gives it away for free. It is old 1980s tech JASO FB. Even then I would only use it in an emergency.
I have nothing but issues when using Trufuel. It's awful stuff.
Sounds more like your OPE than the fuel.
Years ago, after making the switch, my concrete saw at the time, ran like crap. This was after using pump gas with oil. It ran rough, real rough, but then smoothed back out maybe one tank later.
I asked a local small engine mechanic about this, and he told me it was common. He theorized that the Trufuel was cleaning the system, and that is why the issue was common.
So, if your opinion is that Trufuel sucks, fine, but it might not be the fuel, it might be the reaction of your equipment from having nasty old fuel varnish being cleaned off by the superior Trufuel.
Since using Trufuel, 12 years ago, and 1000s of hours on construction equipment like concrete saws, gas powered pumps, and generators. I have had no fuel related issues at all, not 1.
Did not really keep track of my house OPE, but 2 trimmers, two chainsaws, and two Honda Carbed 4 wheelers, all start up 100% of the time with ease.
Most recently, I used my Husqvarna 14 inch chainsaw, which has sat on the shelf for two years unstarted. And it fired right up.
Saber mixed at 50:1 makes my 2 strokes sing like a flock of canaries.
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