tnks to both.

Citgo makes Volvo Penta brand oil I read too.

...oh Mobil-1 V-Twin 20W-50 is the best choice for a Harley...hands down.

WELL, havin checked a dozen Walmarts and other auto stores in 5 states and still no v-twin. Any body have an alternative that is actually available? I would like to run it against the merc oil in an identical engine.

Just to let you know of some recent findings...

ZDDP levels are key to getting good UAO's and the more the better! A synthetic base handles heat better BUT if you compare a PAO synthetic with High ZDDP to a Conventional with high ZDDP and a strong base such as Kendall Racing 40wt...the main difference is you can run the non-premium synthetic longer.

So the Kendall Racing 40wt may see 20 hours...and a good PAO such as M-1 15W-50 up to 50 hours. Expect similiar UAO's.

Most of this is based on UAO's that a few of us did last season. Where as it does alter my perspective... "synthetic is the only way to go attitude" ...to see a real difference between Kendall Racing 40wt or Merc's product you need to move to a premium synthetic oil such as V-twin or Amsoil Racing. Then the benefit you receive is much lower oil temps and bearing wear ought be much reduced as well.

The real test then is a premium synthetic vs. Mercury 20W-40 and compare oil pressure...temps and send in samples for analysis. Run the conventional for 30 hours...and the premium synthetic for 50 hours. I suggest using a balanced flow/filtration rate filter such as WIX Racing or Baldwin. Don't skimp on filters.

You should tell us what kind of rig you have and the details and post an address for support of your project...you can count me in for $25...

V-Twin is pricey at about $9/qt...that's what I pay anyways....Series 2000 20W-50 Amsoil racing is the same price. Now Amsoil makes a 20W-50 V-Twin that they claim is better at their "scar tests" than M-1 V-Twin....Amsoil sells it for $7.45/qt...I think it is more similiar to 15W-50 M-1.

My money is on either Mobil-1 V-Twin or Series 2000 Amsoil Severe Service racing.

My usual .02

Had problems finding enough V-twin. Advance would have about 4 quarts on the shelf. I couldn't find any at Wal-Mart until the other day when I spyed it in an area dedicated to Motorcycles. Thanks to Vandy for hooking me up with the Mobil distributor here. I just bought 10 cases. 7.26/quart. The distributor had no minumum but I bought that much for convienence sake.

Swing by a motorcycle shop and pick up Spectro Golden 4, tons of zinc and a very shear stable polymer. Ken

Just a little clarification.

The new AMSOIL Motorcycle oil is the MCV 20w-50. This is the oil that claims better results. The retail price on this oil is $8.80 however I ignore that as the dealer cost is $6.25 per qt by the case of 12. Even lower if you get a drum.

The Series 2000 Racing 20w-50 has a retail price of $9.10 BUT the dealer cost on this oil is $6.70 per qt by the case of 12 qts. Also available in gallon jugs and drums.

I run the MCV in my HD V-Rod and have been more than happy with it. I support numerous race teams, most of which run the TRO Series 2000 and have not had any complaints about it.

Yes, I am an AMSOIL dealer but not typical. I have never sold a product for anything more than cost and pride myself in assisting people to get what they want at the best price possible. COST.

Ken

If Mobil V-Twin and Amsoil Series 2000 are both Group 4 synthetics and both retail for $9.00/qt one would have to conclude that they are both fairly equal in finished lubricant quality. So the question that I have is...........how can Amsoil, who is a blender of lubricants, not a refiner like Exxon/Mobil, blend a full synthetic lubricant (Group 4 not a Group 3) that surpasses Mobil V-Twin and their own Series 2000 product in a 4 ball wear test (what this test replicates in a engine still baffles me) and retail the product for less money than Mobil V-Twin or Series 2000. Amsoil must have to purchase synthetic base stocks from someone and I would be very surprised if they can buy it cheaper that Exxon/Mobil can produce it. If Amsoil is using a Group 3 basestock and calling it a synthetic than it could retail for less than Mobil V-Twin or Series 2000 and thats not compareing apples to apples. Ken

I can see how you are thinking on this. The truth is AMSOIL does have to go out and purchase their base stocks from different companies, including Exxon/Mobil. The benefit that AMSOIL has is that they are tied to one particular "brand" of base stock as say EM is. Do you think EM would go to one of their competitors to purchase a better base stock? By doing it this way AMSOIL can pick and choose from any base stock, from any supplier, that will meet their scrict requirements set for any particular product. Same situation as with the additives in some of the oils, they are purchased from many different locations as well and by doing this they can pick the best for each individual oil instead of being tied to only the ones they manufacturer like an EM would be. All AMSOIL motor oils are PAO or PAO/Ester with the exception of the XL line of auto oils which are a highly refined GRP III. By my suprise this XL oil has been showing equal if not better UOA results than some full synthetics, I actually have this XL in the wifes Saab right now.

The cost difference is simple in my mind. Operations and advertsing cost differences. AMSOIL is a tight knit facility in Superior, WI that has a few hundred employeed punching out the products whereas EM is spread across who knows where with thousands of employees. Also, the total advertising budget of EM is probably more than most expenses for AMSOIL.

I hope this makes sense.

I'm confused. If Amsoil has the benefit of being tied to one base stock mfg. why would they continue to outsource basestocks from different refiners. If Mobil needed a better basestock, I believe that they have the knowledge and finances to make it. These people are the global leaders in lubricant technology. If EM felt they needed a better mousetrap, they would build it. Amsoil probably has more EM/Infinum technology in their product than anyone is willing to admit.
Petroleum engine oils have come a very long way in the past 10 years. IMO synthetics excel in three areas for engines, longer drains, extreme cold pump ability, and maintaining lubricity in high heat applications. Without synthetic lubricants we wouldn't have jet aircraft or the space program. I am not at all surprised that a petroleum oil works very well in your wifes SAAB. A well built petroleum oil would work in 99% of any application. If the new Amsoil is a group 4 synthetic and performs better than Series 2000, why would anybody even think of buying Series 2000 and why would Amsoil continue to blend it? My final question is directed to you................if you are an oil dist how do you stay in business selling Amsoil products at your cost? Ken