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Synthetic oils tested[850/1995] posted by Ivan Pauncz on
Monday, 3 August 1998, at 8:09 p.m.
Hot 4s & Performance Cars, an Australian magazine, dyno-tested
synthetic oils in its latest issue (No.40). They have a web site
http://www.expresspublications.com.au under construction. The article
even explains SAE and API ratings!
The car used in the test was a 1995 Honda Integra GSi (who knows what
it is called in the US), rated at 107kW (we don't have HP since going
metric decades ago).
Each oil was used with a fresh factory filter and after filling the
sump the car was driven on a demanding 3km run to allow the oil to 'bed
in' as requested by some of the suppliers. All the dyno runs were
carried out by the same operator on the same dyno within a four-hour
time span to minimise environmental effects. The ambient temperature
only varied by one degree (18-19C) throughout the test.
The results, ranked according to power gain, were:
Royal Purple 21 SJ USA 70 72 84 7.56 YES
Synthetic Race Oil 5W-30
Mobil 1 SJ USA 45 78 81 6.30 YES
5W-50
Hi-Tec Synplus SH AUS 44 74 80 5.32 YES
5W-40
HKS Super NA Racing SG JPN 170 66 78 4.90 YES
0W-30
FET Sports Racing NA SJ JPN 150 66 80 4.62 NO
0W-40
APEXi Racing NA SJ JPN 95 68 76 3.50 NO
5W-40
Honda FEO SH JPN 25 83 88 0.00 ?
20W-50
Columns are:
1 Brand, name and SAE rating
2 API rating
3 Country of origin
4 Price is $AUS/4 litres (check out some of these!)
5 Start temperature deg C
6 Finish temperature deg C
7 Calculated flywheel gain %
8 Turbo application suitability (Although NA in the name stands for
naturally aspirated, the HKS can says it is suitable for turbos.)
Honda FEO included as it is recommended by Honda. It is mineral based
and is the baseline for measurements. It is obviously a heavier oil.
Temperatures measured to guage temperature stability.
Amongst the conclusions was 'Mobil 1 also proved it is still one of the
best oils in the world...'
Amazingly the gains in power ranged from 3.5% to almost 7.6%
They also tested an Australian friction reducing oil additive called
Uni-Glide. They observed a 2.10% gain at the flywheel when added to the
Honda's mineral oil. It also improved oil temperature control.
--Ivan from Oz