What is needed is real numbers, oil samples, total base numbers etc. What's interesting is to find out, the information of what it does in real numbers, like the links provided above. I understand people want to chime in with what they are using but what real documentation do you have to support your comment. I would love to see some oil sampling done with these high performance oils and especially get some total base numbers after 3- 5000 miles or longer, where the synthetic stuff suppose to shine. Oil topics can get pretty involved in depth and can get out of hand, but it is hard to to nail down one best oil because of the different styles of driving and the variety of engine combos out there. So when someone ask what is the best oil, is when I get the popcorn! Fernando ps: some say oil is oil........do you believe that?
I like the extra zinc of the VR1....I leaked 3 of my 6qts out at the track (on grass, didn't notice) and made a pass with 20psi at 6500 on big end....motor survived. Zinc and coated bearings....
Looks like Valvoline VR1 conventional placed #3 out of the 40 oils on Pelican’s test as far as protection goes. I can get this locally off the shelf from Oreilly Auto Parts for $7.99 a quart Test Results: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-930-turbo-super-charging-forum/1028884-oil-test-zddp.html
The only issue I have with the Valvoline VR1 is, it’s easy to get the 20w-50 and the 50W(?) but nobody around here stocks the 10w30. Have to order it, and it’s a little more than the 20w-50
I got the VR1 20w50 at Menard's for $4.50 (on sale) and at AutoZone as they matched that. Shop around! Anecdotally, I've got a car that spec's 20w50 oil. I'll alternate Mobil1 15w50 for the street and Amsoil Dominator racing 15w50 for track use. Lately, I've been using 20w50 VR1 recently to get the rings better bedded-in. (Al block, non-Buick story) The interesting part is that the Amsoil gives great pressure when hot and much better than the Mobil1 but the VR1 is even better. With the VR1, the oil pressure needle just pegs and stays there except when idling and full hot. I'd consider going with the VR1 at the track except for good experience with the Amsoil, long term. Also, with synthetic oils the engine insides are nicely clean for the next rebuild.
I was able to get VR1 today, in stock mind you, at the local Oriellys for $2 off per quart. So it was $5.99 a quart.