What is STP?

[Francis]

Hi all, I have just finished reading a really interesting story about some of the racing engines used in Australian Touring car racing in the 1970's.

An interesting feature of the story was that at one point engines were suffering from oil surge as the rules called for standard oil sumps but allowed for larger tyres.

The leading team at the time was known for having less problems then all the others and in an interview with the head engine builder, he credited the oil add in STP.

They used it in assembly to coat all the engine parts and also used it in with the oil and had heaps less surge blow up related issues.

SO I wanted to try find out what actually is STP and how or should I say what is it meant to do once in your engine?

Are there any still fans of the product?

 

[Johnny]

It's a can of VI Improver. Very thick. If your car is not an oil burner don't waste your money. Just buy a thicker oil.

Yes, I used it back in the 60's as I believed anything back then.

 

[Francis]

Does it also have Zinc in it?

 

[dkcase]

An older guy in my neighborhood when I was a kid (ca 1964 or so)raced a plymouth of some sort, with some sponsoring by a radio station and STP.

He got carried away, I guess, and had decided it was a good idea to run more STP than oil....

Fortunately, the radio station paid to rebuild his engine after it blew.

Later some time I attended a lecture by a gentleman from an oil company ( Conoco ?). He told us, "Everytime I speak somebody asks about oil additives. The most popular one is a good VI Improver, but you probably don't need it. I won't use its name, but its initials are S.T.P."

 

[SrDriver]

I used it for years when reloading rifle ammo for a case lube for resizing brass before reloading. It worked great.

 

[Francis]

The same story I was telling you about also mentioned that they ran STP in their diff's and where the only team to never have 1 fail.

They also mentioned they had forgot to fill the diff with oil. They ended up running that diff around the track for 10 laps then noitced smoke comming from under the car. It had only been assembled with STP (as are their engines) and it came appart after the swaped it with a new one and had no ware.

So I can see that there is NO way you would use it in a late model car, but something thats been desiged with 1970's technoligie I wonder if it does add a little extra help to todays 2007 engine oils.

 

[sprintman]

I used it in my ex Bathurst 500 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III 351 Clevo engine. Rebuilt with Crane F260 0.623 lift cam and triple valve springs. 111,000 miles and cam was trash. Didn't help much it appeared.

 

[Francis]

Well I wonder if it did and that cam would of been even more so trashed with out it!

 

[TallPaul]

Quote:

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Does it also have Zinc in it?

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Yes, at least the red "4 cylinder treatment" bottle does (there's a VOA on this site from about 1-2 years ago).

 

[Dominic]

STP = Stop Those Pistons!