Pontiac - Race The next Level

          
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Old 06-04-2026, 08:28 AM
sdbob sdbob is offline
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Default I'm curious what you guys are using for oil brand.

Reading on net( oh boy buttttt) that Pennzoil conventional oil is not good for any kind of race engine. I've been using Pennzoil 10w40 for over 50 yrs in my street SD, engineers recommended it(10W40) in manual and glove book.Race SD also. The street car sees regular 5400 rpm shifts,I cant help myself. Race car same occasionally little higher. Has Pennzoil changed? Should I look at other brands? Thanks life seemed simpler yrs ago.

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Old 06-04-2026, 10:00 AM
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Brad Penn semi-synthetic and Valvoline ZR-1 are top shelf oils.... All the oils have changed over the years and still seam to be.

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Old 06-04-2026, 10:04 AM
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Bob, I use it in everything I own with an I/C diesel and gas engine since 1977 when I became a Pennzoil service station dealer in Erie PA. In my 3rd signature pic of the 69 GP you can see the Pennzoil decal on the front fender. I actually previously used Valvoline products, but was having bearing failures in the race cars. No bearing failures after switching to Pennzoil racing oil.

The lowest mileage vehicle I own is 150,000 miles, highest mileage is 375,000 miles. It has consistently been a top tier oil all those years, and lived up to my expectations fully.

Their process of making motor oil from natural gas lets you start out with a cleaner product when you pour it into the engine. They also offer a 750,000 mile warranty if you document you use their oil exclusively, and change it according to their recommendations, hard to argue with a warranty like that.

I've used their engineering hot line for questions I've had about lubrication problems over the years, and they've always steered me in the right direction.

Along with using their oil products I've been using a Frantz by pass oil filter on most of my vehicles since 2010, zero lubrication related failures for decades now.

Here's a recent review of their products that you might find interesting, as well as some findings by Lake Speed Jr. (The Motor Oil Geek). The review covers their conventional oils as well as their synthetics and drain intervals pertaining to what type of driving you do.

I'll keep using their products until I have a reason not to, hope this helps you with your questions.

https://cartipsdaily.com/is-pennzoil-good-oil

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Last edited by Sirrotica; 06-04-2026 at 10:22 AM.
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Old 06-04-2026, 10:54 AM
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I've been using Penzoil 10/30 conventional for years in the Pontipigs with no issues however I tried Lucas hot/rod and just recently Driven 10/30 conventional.

She seems a little quieter but no issues so far.

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Old 06-04-2026, 11:14 AM
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I use Penzoil dyno oil in flat tappet engines and Mobil 1 in roller cam engines.In FT cam engine I also add 1/2 bottle of EOS on oil changes.FWIW,Tom

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Old 06-04-2026, 11:27 AM
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Rotella T6 synthetic 10w-30.

  #7  
Old 06-04-2026, 11:48 AM
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EOS is still available?

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Old 06-04-2026, 11:48 AM
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Valvoline VR-1 10W-30 in both boosted and NA applications

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Old 06-04-2026, 11:49 AM
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Royal Purple XPR in the race cars, Mobil 1 or Valvoline VR1 in the street stuff.

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  #10  
Old 06-04-2026, 11:55 AM
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And for those that don't know, diesel ZDDP isn't the same additive package as the ZDDP used for gasoline engines. Yes diesel oil usually has more ZDDP in it, but it isn't the same preferred additive package used for gasoline engines. If you ask anyone that deals with lubricants as their livelihood, they do not recommend using diesel oil in gasoline engines as the best choice because of the additional ZDDP isn't the same formula as gasoline ZDDP is, comparing apples to oranges.

Can you get away with using diesel oil in a gasoline engine, the answer is yes, but you're not making the best choice for longevity of FT cams and lifters. There are better suited lubricants available.

Also Shell that makes Rotella, also owns Pennzoii, as well as Quaker State, same parent company owns those 3 major brands, Royal Dutch Shell is the corporation that owns all of the brands.

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  #11  
Old 06-04-2026, 12:36 PM
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Reading what you guys suggested. I guess the conventional Pennzoil 10-40 changed often, which I do will be fine.
I 'heard' years ago once you use conventional motor oil you cant use synthetic oil in that engine.

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Old 06-04-2026, 12:56 PM
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"Also Shell that makes Rotella, also owns Pennzoii, as well as Quaker State, same parent company owns those 3 major brands, Royal Dutch Shell is the corporation that owns all of the brands."

They also make the majority of additives in other oil brands. I'm starting to use quaker state synthetic after much research. Better base oil and superior additives.

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Old 06-04-2026, 04:08 PM
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Was 5w30 Mobil 1 in drivers and Valvoline VR1 in FB till watched Lake Speed's(the oil geek)comparison on most popular brands engine dyno with oil analysis afterwards.

Not all brands are true synthetic.
Most are blends claiming they are but level 3 not level 4.
Then after watching his shear analysis on multi viscosity was real eye opener.

Top tier brand fuel stations vs truck stop type locations.
Most people here wait in line at Sam's club paying least expensive.
Its rated worst fuel like most all truck stops.
Surprisingly Costco rated #1 even over chevon shell exxon mobile marathon(all top tier fuels).

Highly recommend watching all his videos.
Bty any one use diesel oil in gas vehicles thats
for high sulfer diesel fuel.
Does nothing more for gas engines. Probly worse if think about it.

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Last edited by Region Warrior; 06-04-2026 at 04:21 PM.
  #14  
Old 06-04-2026, 04:33 PM
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Was 5w30 Mobil 1 in drivers and Valvoline VR1 in FB till watched Lake Speed's(the oil geek)comparison on engine dyno then oil analysis.
Shear tests on multi viscosity oils was another eye opener.

Top tier brand fuel stations vs truck stop type locations.
Bty most people here wait in line at Sam's club paying least expensive.
Its rated worst fuel like most truck stops.
Surprisingly Costco rated #1

Highly recommend watching all his videos.
Bty any one use diesel oil in gas vehicles thats are high sulfer diesel fuel.
Does nothing more for gas engines. Probly worse if think about it.

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Old 06-04-2026, 04:33 PM
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One of the better synthetic oils is Driven oil. Saw a test by Lake Speed Jr. and it was rated amongst the best.

I run their DT50 10w50 in my 140 hp hopped up 2276cc air cooled VW bus engine, it was specifically formulated for performance air cooled engines. It was recommended by my engine builder so okay with me. Engine was broken in using Driven break-in oil as well on the dyno.

Kinda pricey at around $20 a quart (up from an already pricey $16 not long ago) but that’s not a big concern to take care of a new $9k engine.

Currently running Valvoline Restore and Protect synthetic 10w40 in my 421, changing from Castrol conventional 10w30 to up the idle oil pressure a bit and try Valvoline’s latest formula. I wanted to wait until the rings had a chance to seat using conventional oil before switching to synthetic.

Using Pennzoil Platinum 0w-20 in my ‘23 Civic Sport 2.0 non-turbo.

Conventional Valvoline or Castrol 10W30 in my 1956 1200cc 36 hp VW bus depending on what I have on hand, every thousand miles because these engines have no oil filter.

I remember calling Ken Crocie at H-O Racing when I was first building a ‘71 455 HO for my ‘64 GTO. I asked him what brand of oil to use, this was in the early ‘90s. He said “on sale”. So I guess it really doesn’t matter all that much as long as it’s a decent quality national brand oil.

I ended up bracket racing the 455 GTO for over a decade. Always used Mobil 1 10w30. 5w30 or even 0w30. Sometimes there wasn’t a lot of time to get the oil warm after waiting in the lanes so something that would flow when cold seemed to make sense.

Plenty of great choices nowadays for oils.

Costco gas in everything, I never buy gas anywhere else. Their price is usually equal to the lowest priced stations in town plus there’s a 5% savings on top of that with their Executive membership.

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  #16  
Old 06-04-2026, 04:34 PM
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He's a genius.
But like most hard to watch...crazy eyed and repitionition trying to get through numbsculls like me.
So much info have to listen 2nd time while working in garage to let soak in.
He even mentioned his is expensive and may not best all round unless change more often like Mobil 1 and VR1.
Most $ performance oils shear strength breaks down faster.
Why no claim good for 10k miles. But how many wait that long.
Not car guys.

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Last edited by Region Warrior; 06-04-2026 at 04:49 PM.
  #17  
Old 06-04-2026, 05:00 PM
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Ck out his results for most expensive brands for turbocharged engines.
Companies change formulas like diapers. My words not exactly his...
Fnally made me to change back to one haven't uses since 90s 2 yrs ago and looks cleaner longer

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Old 06-04-2026, 09:08 PM
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Brad Penn here... 10W-30 in the ponchos with two bottles of ZDDP with a change. Roller cam or not. NAPA brand in the dailys.

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Old 06-04-2026, 09:36 PM
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Just watched Lake Speeds series 'Is Amsoil king of oils vs 7 other top brands'.
Comp Cam sft soft lobes designed wear fasted then norma?
Ya no. Looks like a billet to me...
2 hours ea 280* running up to 6-65k rpm
Flushed oil between ea different brands.
4 days of 24 hours dyno time.

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  #20  
Old 06-04-2026, 09:46 PM
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You guys use rotella glad to know LS used to flush engine out between oil tests.

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