I know something similar was posted a few months back, but I cant find it doing a search.
This morning, Horsepower TV on Spike was doing its usual informercial format mostly featuring Summit Racing products. The Royal Purple segment naturally caught my attention.
Here is the setup. Engine on dyno, built-up SB Chevy no doubt. Install new filter (black in color, brand not visible) and O'reilly 10W-30. Run engine to bring oil temp up to 160F. Dyno run. Let Engine cool. Oil and filter change with RP 5W-30, carefully explaining that the "W" rating makes no difference at operating temperature, very clever. Bring oil temp back up to 160F and a miracle, 7-8hp and torque increase at high rpm. I dont remember the exact figure.
Now, here is the "trick". Only at 210F is 5W-30 and 10W-30 required to be within the same range of viscosity, and even that is a range. At a lower temperature, it is almost guaranteed that the viscosity will be different. Look at the data sheets and compare the 40C numbers and Viscosity Index. You can extrapolate the viscosity at any temperature between 40C and 100C with fair accuracy. Since the typical Chevy is built with tight bearing clearances, hydrodynamic drag at 5-6000 rpm is significant. So, to me, the comparison is invalid unless they used the same exact grade of both products.
I agree- it doesn't do any of the product mfg's any positive service to conduct marketing this way! If anything, it drives myself away from such products or I do my own research and discover that although they are not telling any "fibs", it is certainly not representing the broader truth in most cases!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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RP is starting to become like amsoil when it comes to marketing. I stopped using RP unless it is their industrial products. They just seem overpriced for what you get.
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If it doesn't fit, FORCE it.
If it breaks, well, it needed replacing anyway.
Kinda sounds like they hunted around & cherry picked an oil & operating temp, that allowed them to demonstrate a difference.
Wonder how many oils they went through & how many runs they had to make to get the results they wanted????
All the while carefully attempting to draw attention away from the set up opeating temp, by going into the differences between & the meaning of 5W & 10W, which didn't have a danged thing to do with the 160F test temp.
As has been said, pick an oil that has the same characteristics & test them under the same conditions & lets see the differences!!!!
I wonder how close those oil sump temps come to being average for most of the population of vehicles on the road, across the widly varying temp conditions of this country & how many folks run around all the time at 5000-6000 rpm, with a sump temp of 160F!!!!????
Then measure the engine wear after the test!!!!
You can set up amost any kind of test & demonstrate a predicted outcome, but even still I'll bet there were takers out there some where.
What was it that P.T. Barnem said about a sucker being born every second & two to take him!!!! lol
No thanks, I'll just stick to my Havoline, it's done just fine for the past 60 years!!!! lol
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