by Charley Rockwell

This is a brief article to describe some of my experiences with motor oils and filters.

There are three major brands of synthetic motor oil available today. They are Mobil 1, Amsoil and Red Line. About six years ago several race engines met an early demise because the additives used in Amsoil separated from the oil base I do not know if they ever solved this problem. I have tested both Mobil and Red Line oils in certified back to back tests with conventional oils. The synthetics will increase engine longevity at least 25% compared to conventional oil. Red Line oil is intended for racing and does not have the detergents that Mobil 1 does. This did not seem to have any effect on the test engines, but the test engines are run continuously and do not pick up varnish elements caused by condensed water in the oil.

Red Line has a very high film strength and several people have noticed improved bearing and camshaft wear in Lotus engines using Red Line. Mobil 1 is very good at extending piston ring life and English Lotus engine builders. Vegantune and QED, claim improved bearing wear with Mobil 1 15-50 weight oil.

Red Line makes synthetic gear oils also. I have tested Red Line gear oils in back to back comparisons with conventional oils and found that they reduce friction but probably will not increase transmission life it appears that transmissions usually fail because of impulse torque overloads (also known as blowing a shift or dumping the clutch) The impulse torque causes pitting of the gear, bearing and syncromesh surfaces. This pitting is not alleviated by superior lubrication, but the transmission sure does shift smoother! Red Line transmission oil will increase transmission life in transmissions that overheat because synthetic oils do not break down as soon as conventional oils.

The Lotus Elan and Jaguar XKE both have differentials that overheat, so they should benefit from a synthetic oil. However. I have no first hand knowledge of this.

There is a new oil filter called System 1 that provides a claimed 5 micron reusable stainless mesh filter element in a conventional spin-on canister. Gene Berg has tested the filter and claims that it has less pressure loss than a Fram HP-1. The System 1 also has a bypass built into the filter and it will fit the Pint style oil pump with no modifications. The 5 micron filter mesh should provide superior engine protection to a conventional filter and has the advantage that it is easily inspected for engine particles.

You will definitely increase the life of your Lotus engine by switching to Mobil 1 15-50 or Red Line 20-50 You may increase transmission and differential life by using Red Line gear oil. The new System 1 filter may provide better engine protection and is the only stainless wire mesh type filter with the bypass valve that I consider necessary for a street car.

-------- Comment --------------------
Subject: oil filter tech
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2003

to whom it may concern:

On the http://www.gglotus.org/ggtech/Oil-Filter/oilfilt.htm page, in an article written by Charley Rockwell, it is stated that:

"There is a new oil filter called System 1 that provides a claimed 5 micron reusable stainless mesh filter element in a conventional spin-on canister. Gene Berg has tested the filter and claims that it has less pressure loss than a Fram HP-1. The System 1 also has a bypass built into the filter and it will fit the Pint style oil pump with no modifications. The 5 micron filter mesh should provide superior engine protection to a conventional filter and has the advantage that it is easily inspected for engine particles."

I thought someone would be interested to know that the FRAM HP-1 is identical to the PH-8 internally. The only difference between them being that the HP-1 has a heavier case. Both filters use the same filtration element, are made on the same production lines and are 100% tested to 90psi before they get painted. Unless your car's lube system runs near 90psi, there really is no advantage to using the HP-1, except to FRAM - for the increased profit. Also, the System 1 is not properly called a "filter" it should be considered a "strainer". Of course, it would have less pressure loss that a filter but is not something that my engineering experience at FRAM, and elsewhere would recommend. I don't even recommend FRAM filters - Delco is a better quality product.

Best regards,
J. Denis P.Eng