Differences Between Synthetic & Regular Oil

[DavisZR1]

Hi Bob,

Welcome aboard. I have a ZR1 and I've been using Mobil 1. It's works great for me. I read about some of the ratings on some of the other synthetics, and it always seems that Mobile comes up number 1. What makes Mobil 1 better than the other brands? And, how did they come about the formula to make synthetic? Were the oil company's pushed into it by the environmental programs?

Great to have you on board!

[Robert Pache]

First, Mobil 1 was not developed becauae of environmental concerns. It was based on synthetic research originally done for improved military products. The first synthetic oil by Mobil was an SHC product in Europe. Mobil 1 was introduced in the US in 1973 and continually improved on. Mobil has more experience on sythetic oils than other competitors and uses a component approach developed over the years. Competitors generally use an additive package from one of several additive suppliers. Also, Mobil has used extensive field test and racing to develop their product.

Bob

[DavisZR1]

Great info. Thank you. It's funny, the ZR1's when they came out in 1990, didn't use the synthetic. I think GM started using it on the Z's in 1992 or 1993.:nod:

[Robert Pache]

GM started using Mobil 1 5W-30 in the 1992 Corvetts with the new LT-1 engine. The following year they started using it in the LT-5 (ZR-1) engines. GM decided to use Mobil 1 because they decided against an oil cooler with the LT-1 and needed an oil to withstand the heat. The one year delay on the LT-5 was over some concern that this engine would be percieved as needing a special oil.

Bob

[DavisZR1]

Thanks.:cool: