so whats new since 2007?

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Hi everyone, I have lurked for many years and I'm just now posting since I have been out of the loop and come to a dillema. Back in 2007 or 2008 I went nuts trying to figure out what oil was the best for my car, and I found this site. You guys are great and I learned a ton.

Seeking the absolute best oil in or around 5w30 wt, I came across 2 choices that used a true group IV PAO base stock. It boiled down to GC and amsoil. I eventually went with the amsoil given that it was available in 5w30 as opposed to only 0w30.

I know that some will say that going from a 5w30 to 0w30 shouldnt matter especially when talking about either of these two awesome oils. I've read the facts and im just not quite sure about it especially given that my car consumed a considerable amount of every oil I have tried except the amsoil. I guess you could say I am a little hung up on this. Still havent tried GC yet though for this reason even though I know it is superior to the amsoil 0w30, which is what the 5w30 I use is based on.

When I made the switch to amsoil, the consumption stopped. Unfortunately the dilemma is that the old API SL amsoil changed to an API SM, and the consumption began again. (when the government tells you something is better, you know its gonna suck.)

BITOG to the rescue. GC is still hailed as one of the best oils out there, and I am thinking of trying it if I can find it around here. Is there any other true group IV PAO in 5w30 that has come out and can hold its own against GC and amsoil? Any new threads shedding light on the SL to SM or even SN transitions? Any new technology being used?

Point me to some threads or give me some suggestions. I'm willing to research, learn and share. Thanks!
 
PU 100% PAO/GTL Great stuff and priced right at many Walmarts.
Give it a couple of OCI to clean the rings, it may just get the oil consumption under control.
 
Originally Posted By: Trav
PU 100% PAO/GTL Great stuff and priced right at many Walmarts.
Give it a couple of OCI to clean the rings, it may just get the oil consumption under control.


Is Pennzoil Ultra known to be 100% PAO?
 
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Trav has given you some good advice. Red line also makes a great oil. Perhaps royal purples euro spec 5w30 would work well in your application.
Pennzoil is a great bang fit the buck and Walmart has it on sale every 6 weeks or so.
 
Originally Posted By: R4Klimas

Still havent tried GC yet though for this reason even though I know it is superior to the amsoil 0w30, which is what the 5w30 I use is based on.

First welcome to BITOG!

I wouldn't agree that GC is superior to Amsoil 0W-30.
It is a heavier oil with a HTHSV of 3.5cP vs 3.1cP for the PAO based Amsoil which is the main difference.
But if your oil consumption, as you say, is good on the lighter Amsoil I certainly wouldn't bother with GC.
 
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Is Pennzoil Ultra known to be 100% PAO?

Yes it is. It is from a Gas To Liquid process.
There was a chat posted here on BITOG a few months back that this was confirmed.
It also has a very low NOAK which is better at controlling deposits.

Check out Amsoils 0w30 and Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 SN (not the old SM) spec sheet. They look very similar!
I am neither claiming or implying Amsoil is using SOPennzoil UltraS base stocks but fact is they have to get it somewhere and after Katrina Mobils PAO production took a big hit in the US.
Maybe i shouldn't post this as some may say that just by posting such thoughts is the same as implying it but it is something to think about.

As long as SOPennzoil UltraS doesn't change the formula for the worse it and Mobil 1 0w40 will remain my go to oils exclusively.
 
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I agree with Trav. I'd use the PU. PU may be the best overall performing oil at the moment. (Although they have no 0w20/30) Don't know anything about Amsoil base oils these days.

GC is yesterday's oil.
 
Originally Posted By: R4Klimas
Is there any other true group IV PAO in 5w30 that has come out and can hold its own against GC and amsoil?

You're assuming that GC is still PAO. We don't really know if it is. Not that it matters one way or the other in terms of performance.

You said nothing about your car/engine. This will determine what oil you should be using. GC is good, but not for every application.
 
Originally Posted By: R4Klimas
Hi everyone, I have lurked for many years and I'm just now posting since I have been out of the loop and come to a dillema. Back in 2007 or 2008 I went nuts trying to figure out what oil was the best for my car, and I found this site. You guys are great and I learned a ton.

Seeking the absolute best oil in or around 5w30 wt, I came across 2 choices that used a true group IV PAO base stock. It boiled down to GC and amsoil. I eventually went with the amsoil given that it was available in 5w30 as opposed to only 0w30.

I know that some will say that going from a 5w30 to 0w30 shouldnt matter especially when talking about either of these two awesome oils. I've read the facts and im just not quite sure about it especially given that my car consumed a considerable amount of every oil I have tried except the amsoil. I guess you could say I am a little hung up on this. Still havent tried GC yet though for this reason even though I know it is superior to the amsoil 0w30, which is what the 5w30 I use is based on.

When I made the switch to amsoil, the consumption stopped. Unfortunately the dilemma is that the old API SL amsoil changed to an API SM, and the consumption began again. (when the government tells you something is better, you know its gonna suck.)

BITOG to the rescue. GC is still hailed as one of the best oils out there, and I am thinking of trying it if I can find it around here. Is there any other true group IV PAO in 5w30 that has come out and can hold its own against GC and amsoil? Any new threads shedding light on the SL to SM or even SN transitions? Any new technology being used?

Point me to some threads or give me some suggestions. I'm willing to research, learn and share. Thanks!


For motor oils, I look for an excellent oil, easy to obtain (Walmart) and reasonable cost (Walmart). For me thats Pennzoil Platinum or Pennzoil Ultra. My planned OCI is 7500, but that may get extended by 500 - 1000 due to snow or cold weather. I doubt in that OCI range could you find an oil that would produce better used oil analysis. Now if you want to go 15K OCI, you might need other oils.

But I am not a fan of Walmart. (Is there a "non LIKE" on FACEBOOK?)
 
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Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: Trav
PU 100% PAO/GTL Great stuff and priced right at many Walmarts.
Give it a couple of OCI to clean the rings, it may just get the oil consumption under control.


Is Pennzoil Ultra known to be 100% PAO?


No. I called Penz and they told me Grp3+. Even Amsoil isn't 100% PAO according to Pablo. The blending of base stocks may be producing better oils than ever.
 
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Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: Trav
PU 100% PAO/GTL Great stuff and priced right at many Walmarts.
Give it a couple of OCI to clean the rings, it may just get the oil consumption under control.


Is Pennzoil Ultra known to be 100% PAO?


No. I called Penz and they told me Grp3+. Even Amsoil isn't 100% PAO according to Pablo.


I think tig is right,plus I thought on the Pennzoil Q and A,they told us Ultra was 100% grp 3.
 
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All that said why doesn't Sopus advertise PU as an extended drain oil? Seems like it would certainly be capable of 10k plus then.
 
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
All that said why doesn't Sopus advertise PU as an extended drain oil? Seems like it would certainly be capable of 10k plus then.


I,m sure it is capable, or at least it should be.
 
Just because you called Pennzoil doesn't mean anything. Those guys are often the last to know. LOL

It used to be Group III, but I now believe it's either GTL or PAO. Or a blend.
 
Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Originally Posted By: Trav
PU 100% PAO/GTL Great stuff and priced right at many Walmarts.
Give it a couple of OCI to clean the rings, it may just get the oil consumption under control.


Is Pennzoil Ultra known to be 100% PAO?


No. I called Penz and they told me Grp3+. Even Amsoil isn't 100% PAO according to Pablo. The blending of base stocks may be producing better oils than ever.

It is Grp III+ don't confuse III with III+
PU is pure synthetic from GTL which has almost identical properties as PAO. Grp IV is reserved for actual PAO.
The GTL is not HC dino it is a true synthetic.
Previous versions like SM were probably a Grp III POA blend.
 
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Sure GC is old school at this point, but so is the pushrod V8 technology in my car. PU is probably a better option in overhead cam cars, but I'll stick to GC with its old style ZDDP add pack. If it went away I would either switch back to Mobil 1 0w40 or use Castrol Edge 5w50 which specifies that it is for classic cars.

Really is hard to go wrong with GC or PU though.
 
Originally Posted By: Torrid
Castrol Edge 5w50


I wonder which one has a better add pack,Syntec 5W50 or Mobil 1 15W50?
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

You're assuming that GC is still PAO. We don't really know if it is.


By deduction I'd say that it is still PAO. If you look at major PAO oils from the past, and contrast them to their current formulations, the one absolute thing you will see is that each one of them has a higher pour point today. This is consistent with the diminishing use of PAO in modern formulations. Mobil is the most convenient to compare to since they have such an extensive product line and their formulas are all known to have moved off of a full PAO base. (I am not knocking Mobil 1 as I think it is excellent oil)

German Castrol (Amber colored current formula) still has a pour point of -54C : German Castrol 0w30 Amber
German Castrol (Green colored pervious formula) had the same pour point of -54C.

My argument here is that although the additive package changed from Green to Amber the PAO base chemistry remained the same as evidenced by the consistent -54C Pour Point.
 
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