Oils without an API cert, well you can believe their crap shoot info if you want. I always wonder why they won't certify.

Viscosity choice will be based on clearances and oil pressure for YOUR engine.

In our 440-6 with slightly less than .003 (rods and mains),
we use 10-30 VR1 and have 70# at cold start-up, 20# at hot idle, we're happy.

Joe

Where in CA do you live and drive your six pack car? If west of the Sierra Mtns. near the coast I would and did , use 5 20 WT in the winter and 10W30WT in the summers

They often aren't certified because they contain high levels of ZDDP. For example, the current API SN service rating only allows a maximum ZDDP content of 800 ppm. They do this because the phosphorus in ZDDP has been shown to harm catalytic converters. In any event, lacking an API certification doesn't always mean that the oil is of poor quality.

I didn't think VR1 came in a 10-40?

Joe

You are correct Sir, my mistake. I went out to the garage and checked the oil I have and its 20w50 not 10w40. Don't know what I was thinking. Sorry.

Go read their latest reasoning why.

Has nothing to do with ZDDP.

Very bottom https://www.amsoil.com/frequent.aspx

They used to say that, now they don't.

There are reasons for industry standards and when one player doesn't think they need to meet the standards well, I gotta say one bit player vs the rest of the industry? Bye by bit player.

Go read their latest reasoning why.

Has nothing to do with ZDDP.

Very bottom https://www.amsoil.com/frequent.aspx

They used to say that, now they don't.

There are reasons for industry standards and when one player doesn't think they need to meet the standards well, I gotta say one bit player vs the rest of the industry? Bye by bit player.

According to the link provided, it looks like Amsoil is still saying that high levels of zinc and phosphorus are the issue;


Why isn’t AMSOIL Dominator® Synthetic Racing Oil recommended for street-driven vehicles?

Answer: AMSOIL Dominator Synthetic Racing Oil is a premium-quality oil formulated for maximum protection in high-performance and racing applications. It is fortified with high levels of zinc and phosphorus, which are incompatible with catalytic converters common in today’s street-driven vehicles; therefore, Dominator Racing Oil does not carry API service classifications required by many standard passenger vehicles. However, Dominator Racing Oil is the ideal recommendation for street rods, muscle cars and other high-performance vehicles driven on the street.

It doesn't really matter. Just grab anything that is on sale that is roughly the correct viscosity. Trust me, it really doesn't matter that much. I use the cheapest stuff that Costco sells in race engines all the time.

Near the bottom of the linked page they state that if all of their oils were API licensed, "the company could not source new raw materials from multiple suppliers, which would greatly increase the threat of supply disruption and the likelihood of extraordinarily high prices."
Just my opinion, but it sounds like a weak excuse.
In my previous post, I was referring to oils like Brad Penn and Valvoline's VR1, which have ZDDP contents between 1200 and 1500 ppm. There are several reasons why oils might lack API licensing, so it's best to judge on a case-by-case basis.

It would probably come down to do you the individual trust the company making the non-API licensed motor oil? Given your two examples, Valvoline VR1 IS API Licensed while Penn Grade 1, "The Green Oil", is NOT API licensed yet lots of people use and trust Penn Grade 1.

Other companies making non-API licensed motor oil include but not limited to Mobil 1, Pennzoil, Red Line, Lucas, Torco, Joe Gibbs Driven, Royal Purple and more. So there again, to single out one company for making non-licensed motor oil is a bit short sided.

Agreed. While I know that some of the VR1 oils are API licensed, I seem to remember that the "race only" VR1 oils weren't, although I might be mistaken. In any event, the non-licensed oils should be judged on a case-by-case basis, and (in my opinion) typically fall at the far ends of the quality spectrum: either really good, or junk that should be avoided.