Bought Valvoline VR1 20-50 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

mmkkpro · 2 Weeks Ago

I bought Valvoline VR1 20-50, apparently I wasn't paying attention. My 1990 ZR-1 #2822 has 88k miles right now and is running great. My question is, am I safe with this weight oil? I live on the SE coast of NC and it's hot down here. If anyone has an opinion on this weight oil in the LT5 please chime in. I have been running VR1 10-30 Dino oil with no issues and a Bosh 3401 filter. I can save this 50 weight for my 1972 455HO Pontiac if need be. Thanks guys, lovin my Z, over 10k miles since May of 2020.

efnfast · 2 Weeks Ago

I'd be savin that for the Pontiac.

WARP TEN · 2 Weeks Ago

I had a 1954 Aston Martin DB 2/4 that smoked a bit so I ran 50 weight in it and that minimized the smoke. But I would not run 50 wt. in an LT5. Too close to molasses. As efnfast noted, save it for the Pontiac.--Bob

mmkkpro · 2 Weeks Ago

Thanks for chiming in guys. Next time I will pay closer attention to the weight. Thanks again.

hotroddaddyo · 2 Weeks Ago

My understanding is that our LT5 needs a zinc-phosphate additive (ZDDP) to protect camshafts... similar/same as other engines of same era. I recall Ford and GM having issues with camshafts and lifters in the mid-70s up into the 90s, so engine oils were developed accordingly. Some additives hamper increasingly stricter emissions limits, so as oil technology progressed, zinc was reduced in more modern oils. Newer oils are not necessarily backward compatible. Fortunately, there are still zinc additives and oils with higher zinc content available for those special needs.

2 Weeks Ago	#1
mmkkpro Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Supply NC Posts: 123	Bought Valvoline VR1 20-50 I bought Valvoline VR1 20-50, apparently I wasn't paying attention. My 1990 ZR-1 #2822 has 88k miles right now and is running great. My question is, am I safe with this weight oil? I live on the SE coast of NC and it's hot down here. If anyone has an opinion on this weight oil in the LT5 please chime in. I have been running VR1 10-30 Dino oil with no issues and a Bosh 3401 filter. I can save this 50 weight for my 1972 455HO Pontiac if need be. Thanks guys, lovin my Z, over 10k miles since May of 2020.

2 Weeks Ago	#3
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,044	Re: Bought Valvoline VR1 20-50 I had a 1954 Aston Martin DB 2/4 that smoked a bit so I ran 50 weight in it and that minimized the smoke. But I would not run 50 wt. in an LT5. Too close to molasses. As efnfast noted, save it for the Pontiac.--Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

2 Weeks Ago	#4
mmkkpro Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Supply NC Posts: 123	Re: Bought Valvoline VR1 20-50 Thanks for chiming in guys. Next time I will pay closer attention to the weight. Thanks again.

2 Weeks Ago	#5
hotroddaddyo Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 84	Re: Bought Valvoline VR1 20-50 My understanding is that our LT5 needs a zinc-phosphate additive (ZDDP) to protect camshafts... similar/same as other engines of same era. I recall Ford and GM having issues with camshafts and lifters in the mid-70s up into the 90s, so engine oils were developed accordingly. Some additives hamper increasingly stricter emissions limits, so as oil technology progressed, zinc was reduced in more modern oils. Newer oils are not necessarily backward compatible. Fortunately, there are still zinc additives and oils with higher zinc content available for those special needs.

2 Weeks Ago	#2
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,277	Re: Bought Valvoline VR1 20-50 I'd be savin that for the Pontiac.