Valvoline VR1 or Synpower?

[Dave Sherman]

I've been using Valvoline VR1 20W-50 in my 1977 MG Midget, since it has good levels of ZDDP in it. The 1500 engine in it is notorious for wearing out thrust bearings and connecting rod bearings, but would there be any benefit in Synpower over VR1? Valvoline has an article saying Synpower has enough ZDDP as well. I change the oil once a year.

 

[TallPaul]

VR-1 is listed at 1300 ppm zinc and 1400 ppm phos. Synpower will be around 700-800 on each. You can check the listings at valvoline.com go to the product data sheet for each oil. I'd stick with VR-1. 20w50? What do you do in winter? Does it really call for 20w50? I know VR-1 only comes in multigrades 10w30 and 20w50, so if you wanted thinner, you could mix them about 50/50 for approx 15w40.

Have you ever run a used oil analysis on it? Would be curious re the additive levels.

 

[Dave Sherman]

Thanks, I was reading a Valvoline article about ZDDP and it mentioned Synpower and VR1 as being suitable for the ZDDP levels. Yep, it really calls for 20W-50. I don't drive it in the winter. Up to about 60F it calls for 10w30, but the one summer I ran 10w30 in it the oil pressure started to get a little scary when the engine was hot at idle.

 

[addyguy]

I'd definetly stick with the VR1 20W-50. It was built for engines like yours - higher reving, pushrod engines that have 'weak links' in them and can use the additional protection of the extra ZDDP and viscosity.

 

[Johnny]

Dave my man, sweet, sweet, little car. Stick with what you are using.

 

[FrankN4]

If you only change once a year, price isn't a consideration. I would SUGGEST that you CONSIDER either Mobil 1 V twin, 20W-50 motorcycle oil or Amsoil 20W-50 ARO. The Mobil 1 has a ZDDP level of 1600 and is a full PAO synthetic.

The Amsoil has about 1300 phosphorus and 1400 Zinc and is also a PAO synthetic.

Amsoil also makes an excellent 20W-50 motorcycle oil that has the elevated phosphorus and zinc but also has a HTHS of 5.0, excellent anti foam, detergent, dispersant, anti corrosion, and more. I suggest you look at the Amsoil and Mobil 1 product data sheets.

If limited to the two you mentioned, the VR1 20W-50 has a better detergent package and much higher ZDDP. The Synpower 20W-50 has a less detergent package and something like an 840/760 zinc/phosphorus package.

 

[94supraonchrome]

stick with the VR1.

 

[Steve S]

The VR1 would be the choice for the additives.

 

[aquariuscsm]

VR1

 

[Dave Sherman]

VR1 it is then. Funny the better detergents were mentioned; I knew there was some sludge under the valve cover when I looked a while back (prior to using VR1), and had thought about trying to clean some off prior to changing it this weekend. Turns out there's no need; it's pretty much clean now. Coincidence?

 

[TallPaul]

Wow, that's great. Maybe VR-1 is the engine cleaning answer. Might try some in my F150. I know that thing is filthy.