OIL OIL LAB TESTING What does it all mean??

Ricenuker. I know it looks like great info, and in a very limited way it is. It's the same person, reposting the same results with a few new oils he's tested.

Allow me to repost my comments from another speedtalk thread and then add a few comments.
"Scar tests are one of a many considerations but especially useful when looking at extreme pressure (EP) situations. For this reason scar test results are often provided on spec sheets for grease. It is fine to look at scar results for motor oil, but you are correct to start your selection process by understanding 'weights' and the other performance characteristics, some of which relate to base stock and some of which relate to additive package."

The person doing the tests has become what could be described as overly invested. This does not change the validity of the tests, but it does effect both the presentation of his results and the conclusions. The presentations become long and convoluted explanations attempting to justify conclusions such "ZDDP is a Myth." It is true that there are now other compounds being used for similar function, but at the same time it does not mean the ZDDP's utility is a myth. Nor does this one test mean that the oils with those alternate compounds on the whole make a good package for your engine. They might, or might not. There's good stuff in those threads but its a bunch of work to sort the chaff from the wheat.

For your specific situation where you want to decide how much additive, if any should be used, I think you are on the right track. Look on the 'net or contact the companies for the spec sheets; Have the virgin oil analyzed and/or look on Bob is the Oil Guy forums. The last is where you will find the 'mixologists' both avocational and a few professional (maybe still there).

I personally think [ame="http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Corvair_oil.pdf"]Widman's paper [/ame]is good because he covers many of the considerations in choosing an oil. It is straightforward, has illustrations, and even makes a list (based on published specs) And while oriented toward aircooled corvairs, really is no different than what would be good for any stock six or 8 that called for those same oil weights. For racing or other situations where the oil temperatures fall out of that range, or the engine is built loose, or the spring pressures are super high, it's still a ood stepping off point. In those cases, the Joe Gibb's website, and Haas "Oil 101' at Ferrari chat are good further reading without getting too deep.