valvoline vr-1 racing oil 10w30

[olman]

What is the difference between vr-1 10w30 (VAL205) and vr-1  10w30 (822388). A big difference in price according to NAPA online. $7.00 and $4.80. Both say vr-1 racing oil.

[rockhouse66]

Interesting.  The 822388 version says "high zinc" on the container.

[JamesonRacing]

Amazon has VR-1 10W30 delivered for just a bit over $5/bottle, 20W50 for $4/bottle

[John67427]

I put an order in thru Amazon but hasn’t arrived yet. Curious to see I get what I think I should. Price is good if it is even with shipping.

[plovett]

Don't forget Mobil 1 15W50. It is about $26 for 5 quarts at Walmart. It has high zddp and is full synthetic.  It is higher weight, but because it is synthetic it will still flow good at lower temps.  I wouldn't likely use it in Canada or Alaska in the winter time, but for anything warmer than that I probably would.  I've been using it for around 10 years on my solid flat tappet engine with 405 lbs open spring pressure.

JMO,

paulie

[plovett]

Rotella 5W40 is also good if you want a high zddp synthetic oil with lower viscosity.  I sometimes use that in the winter.

JMO,

paulie

[Rory428]

I used to use Shell Rotella diesel oil years ago, but my understanding is that a few years ago, they reduced the Zinc /ZDDP levels to meet the newer EPA or API specs.

[olman]

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions but pretty well found what I was looking for on vr-1 racing oil in conventional 10w30 dino. the ppm for zinc is 1400 and phosphorous is 1300. Not bad for a 10w30 oil. Also has less detergent in the oil so it doesn't "wash" the zddp away. Just have to change oil more often which is no problem for me. Also the 20w50 is the same as the 10w30.  Ordered two cases of 6 bottles each from Amazon.
            Bud

[RustyCrankshaft]

I used to use Shell Rotella diesel oil years ago, but my understanding is that a few years ago, they reduced the Zinc /ZDDP levels to meet the newer EPA or API specs.

There are a couple different versions of both the dino and synthetic Rotella around now. If you find the old spec stuff it is still high ZDDP in it. The new API ratings for the DOC/DPF/SCR engines is reduced ZDDP but even the levels in the newer diesel oil are considerably higher than what current gas engine oil offers.

Also, ZDDP is not the last word in EP additives. There are some oils with essentially no ZDDP in them that work great with flat tappet cams, it just happens that ZDDP is really one of the least expensive EP additives that works well so it was always the go-to.

[plovett]

I used to use Shell Rotella diesel oil years ago, but my understanding is that a few years ago, they reduced the Zinc /ZDDP levels to meet the newer EPA or API specs.

I think you are right.  I haven't checked in a couple of years and it is difficult to find zddp levels on Shell oils without calling.  Mobil1 has a chart on their website with the info.  They have 0W40 and 5W50 weight synthetic oils with decent levels, but the 15W50 is still up there, and inexpensive.  My block has a half fill of Hardblok in it.  That is one reason I like using synthetic oil.  I figure my oil temps are higher.  Plus the cold start flow and a very slight hp increase, like 1%.   Here's a link to the Mobil1 page.

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us/pvl/files/pdfs/mobil-1-oil-product-specs-guide.pdf

paulie

edit:  It looks like Mobil1 Turbodiesel truck 5W40 is still good.   I've used that before, too.  My understanding is the diesel oil formulas have a lot more detergents in them which reduces the effectiveness of the zddp, so I don't use them all year round.  Only when it is really cold. We usually get down to 0 degrees F here in Kansas for a little bit every year.

[Falcon67]

All the more reason to update to roller cam parts and turn the flat tappet stuff into a desk lamp LOL.   I use the 822388 because I like to keep one pile of cartons on the shelf.  The 302 is still flat tappet, but over time has shown it really doesn't care what oil is in it.  Also, since I buy 3~4 cases at a time (two engines = 16 quarts) I can dicker on the pricing
locally.

Specs on the 822388

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/Document/18452/18bdee61-0a7e-e711-9c10-ac162d889bd3/a61538b4-0cbd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1

'Splain it to me - why does Amazon want $17.90 a quart for 30 wt VR-1.

[plovett]

I still like flat tappets.  I get that going roller totally eliminates some issues, but it creates others.  Solid rollers have durability issues and hydraulic rollers have rpm issues.   Brent, for one,  has been addressing that (hydraulic roller rpm), but even then hydraulic rollers tend to be very "unaggressive" in terms of their ramps.   I still like flat tappets, depending on the application. 

JMO,

paulie

[John67427]

Got my Amazon order today for VR1, took 20 days to get it but the price was right