HDEO vs Redline/300V/Amsoil

[Leo]

So I've been thinking about what oil to run next in my 400hp SR20DET (2.0L 4cyl). Been using Motul 300V and I am always on the prowl for an oil that provides the best antiwear and cleanliness performance as this motor pretty modified (uses a non roller valvetrain too). Here's the price breakdown here in Aus converted to $USD for convenience;

Devlac 1 - ~$8/qt
Motul 300V - ~$18/qt
Amsoil - ~$20/qt
Redline - ~$23/qt

Question is, do you guys think the more exotic oils give better performance than D1? The price premium is pretty huge. Is it worth the extra?

 

[KW]

I would use the Delvac 1 at that price! Delvac is good stuff and at that price it looks alot better.

 

[Trex101]

For that prices i would use Delvac 1 too, less than half the cost of RL. But if money is non-issue, then i would go for RL with that type of HP your SR20DET is generating.

 

[JAG]

Delvac 1 at those prices.

 

[Leo]

Yeah the D1 is a bargain isn't it! I don't mind paying more though if Redline etc would be superior in wear/deposit control. But I guess the consensus would be its not? Does the ester base + Mo make it any better in that term?

 

[JAG]

I can't accurately answer that but Delcac 1 (and its twins) has consistently shown good to great UOAs in gas engines. It has high ZDDP levels, pretty high HTHS viscosity (4.1 cp IIRC), supposedly has alkylated napthalene (Group 5) in it which helps deposit control, oxidative stability, and solubility. At 1/3 the cost of Redline, it would be an easy choice for me. If deposits worry you, you could change Delvac twice as often as Redline and still save money! Not that Redline is better with deposit control...I don't know.

 

[Pablo]

At those prices, I'd walk!

But yes, hands down use the Delvac.

 

[427Z06]

None of those other oils are going to perform 2 or 3 times better if at all. If those are the only choices, I'd use the Delvac 1 without question.

 

[mitchcoyote]

If you can afford such a car, you can afford Amsoil...

 

[Leo]

Well its not really about the cost - I'll pay if there's a real difference to be had. Its just that I believed that synth HDEOs offer some of the best antiwear and deposit control characteriscs of all OTC oils out there unless someone can prove me wrong - so is it really worth spending the extra on the exotic oils? Only thing I wish was if D1 was available in a 5W30. Also does anyone know if D1 is friction modified? I only do about 5,000km a year so long OCIs are not a concern. But thanks guys, for the price I think D1 is the still the go...