Archive for the ‘MISCELLANEOUS’ Category
Technical: Engine oil selection
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3000 SW 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 ï Phone 954-779-3600, Fax 954-779-3029
www.scorpionracingproducts.com
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Scorpion Racing Products
ZDDP Guidelines for Motor Oil Selection
The most commonly used anti-wear additive in motor oils is zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP).† ZDDP contains both zinc and phosphorus components working together to provide anti-wear protection and is most important during cam ìbreak-inî procedures.† The American Petroleum Institute (API) in recent years has mandated the reduction of phosphorus to extend catalytic converter life, however reducing the parts per million (ppm) of phosphorus in ZDDP also reduces the ppm of zinc in motor oil which can cause increased wear in engines.
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Gasoline motor oil history:
API service classification SH motor oils were the last gasoline motor oils without minimum phosphorus level regulation.† Phosphorus/Zinc levels in these old oils ranged from 1400 to 1600 ppm and provided good anti-wear protection.
In 1997, the API first regulated Phosphorus levels in gasoline engine oils to a maximum 1000 ppm for API service classification SJ.†
The most current API service classification for gasoline oil is SM, and was implemented in 2004.† The API requires a minimum phosphorus level for SM motor oils of 600 ppm and a maximum of 800 ppm. Again, these lower phosphorus levels bring with it lower zinc levels, increased wear and are not recommended for Scorpion Racing Products ìbreak-inî procedures.
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Diesel motor oil history:
Prior to 2007, unlike gasoline motor oils, diesel motor oil phosphorus levels were not regulated by the API.† The higher level of phosphorus and associated zinc level of diesel oils over gasoline oils provided a good alternative for engine builders and racers. However, in 2007, the API implemented a new diesel classification called CJ-4, which regulates the amount of phosphorus to 1200 ppm maximum and reduces the amount of anti-wear performance from previous oils.†
One commonly used diesel motor oil used for high performance engines and cam break-in was Shell Rotella. However, like most other modern diesel motor oils, Rotellaís zinc level had to decrease in accordance with the new CJ-4 API specification and is now only 1016 ppm.
Any motor oil with the API ìStarburstî on the label should not be used for cam break-in.† After break-in, these oils should be used with an additive such as Scorpion Racing Products Xtreme Break-In Lube & Oil Additive (part # SRPXL8-1) at every oil change.
Eight fluid ounces of Scorpion Racing Products Xtreme Break-In Lube & Oil Additive (part # SRPXL8-1) will add 400 ppm of Phosphorus to 5 quarts of motor oil. It is okay to use as an additive after cam break-in and it is compatible with most current synthetics.†
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Caution: For good catalytic converter life, vehicles produced from 1992 through 1996 (API SH) can use oil with phosphorus levels of 1200 ppm maximum. Vehicles produced from 1997 through 2003 (API SJ and SL) can use oil with phosphorus levels of 1000 ppm maximum.† Vehicles produced from 2004 and newer (API SM) are limited to 800 ppm phosphorus.
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For vehicles NOT equipped with catalytic converters, phosphorus levels are not limited.† This allows for high performance oils such as race oils to contain a higher level of phosphorus/zinc anti-wear additive.†† Scorpion Racing Products recommends phosphorus/zinc (ZDDP) levels of 1200 to 1600 for good wear protection.††
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Below are some common oils with zinc and phosphorus levels.†
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Manufacturer |
Zinc (ppm) |
Phosphorus (ppm) |
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AMSOIL RD-20 |
1575 |
1424 |
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AMSOIL RD-30 |
1575 |
1424 |
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AMSOIL RD-50 |
1575 |
1424 |
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Brad Penn race oil 20W-50 |
1500 |
1400 |
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Joe Gibbs XP-5 20W-50 |
1215 |
1064 |
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Kendall GT-1 SAE 50 |
1131 |
940 |
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Shell Rotella T |
1016 |
958 |
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Brad Penn break-in oil 30wt (Break-in only) |
1400 |
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Welcome to Scorpion Racing Products
Scorpion Performance and SRP today:
Created in 2008, SRP ñ Scorpion Racing Products is the marketing and distribution company for the products that Scorpion Performance manufactures, which are the highest quality products from the most technologically advanced tools and machines in the world. By utilizing todayís and tomorrowís most sophisticated technology, Scorpion Performance is able to maintain its leadership role in producing the absolute finest precision parts. This technology also enables the company to achieve superior quality at economies of scale that make SRPís prices ultra-competitive. And the icing on the cake is the priceless advantage of once again being able to stamp ìMADE IN USAî on these products!
Scorpion Performance has proven that its commitment to fully automated, robotically controlled tooling, combined with its round-the-clock production capacity, effectively offsets the low wage advantages the Asian tigers rely on to attract U.S. business. To beat the Asians at their own game, Scorpion embraces the very latest robotically-controlled automation technology, then its engineers coax even greater productivity out of it ñ exceeding even the manufacturersí specs. This productivity is a major marketing point for SRP, and of course, faster manufacturing means faster distribution to customers.
Simply put, SRP beats the competition by offering its customers superior quality that meets and beats Asian pricing and delivery schedules. Plus, while most U.S. competitors are locked into old machinery and traditional manufacturing of precision parts, SRP benefits from Scorpionís commitment to updating and replacing its sophisticated tooling at least every three years.
The Economic Implications of SRPís ability to say ìMade in Americaî
The staggering trade imbalance the U.S. has worked its way into has reached precarious levels; most noteworthy in the disastrous devaluation of the dollar vs. most major world currencies. Much of this is the result of U.S. companies and marketers rushing to low-wage manufacturers, primarily in the Far East.