shell helix base stock oil

A bit of information directly from a shell engineer. Note that at the end he states that the base stock in Rotella T 5w-40 synthetic (available at walmart for $14 a gallon) ,Shell Helix(Ferrari dealer $16 a quart), and Ferrari's formula 1 oil cocktail is the exact same thing minus different additives. Is the highly rated Rotella T synthetic 5w-40 another credible alternative to overpriced Helix? After all, the Rottela t does meet and far exceed all current testing standards (SL, Sj, etc) not to mention an incredible viscocity index of 178 degrees c (mobil 1 0-40 is 168 c).

"It is true that ROTELLA T Synthetic is Group III (not PAO) based, but you must keep in mind that not all Group III base oils are created equal. ROTELLA T Synthetic is made with Shell's XHVI base oil, which unlike other Group IIIs does not begin as distilled crude oil, hence of all Group III base oils, XHVI is truly the only one that can legitimately be called "synthetic." XHVI is a wax isomerate, meaning that it is made from the slack wax removed from distilled crude in normal solvent dewaxing. This slack wax is catalytically transformed (isomerized) and hydrofinished into a chemically pure base oil which rivals PAO in virtually every category. There are other "synthetic" oils out there based on Group III, but Shell's is unique in that it uses XHVI base oil. Chevron and Petro-Canada produce Group III base oils that come close to XHVI, but even though these oils are all hydroprocessed and utilize the same type of isomerization technology employed in the making of XHVI, they are not the same thing. Only XHVI is made from pure petroleum slack wax and its CAS number is 92026-09-4. The CAS number for the more typical all-hydroprocessed Group III base oils is 64742-54-7. If you want to know what your "synthetic" oil is made from, take a look at the MSDS and look for these numbers. (The CAS number for PAO is 68037-01-4).

In brief, don't be so quick to dismiss Rotella T Synthetic as just another "synthetic pretender." It's made with the same base oil as Shell's Helix Ultra, and everytime you see Ferrari win a Formula 1 race, that's the oil in the engine."

 

If it were a normal diesel oil that is only tested and passing diesel oil standards then no, I would never use such an oil in a gasoline engine. I would feel confident about an oil that passes/surpasses both diesel and gasoline oil standard requirements (diesel ci-4 plus, and gas SL, SJ) should be okay to use in either engine. I have been using the Rotella T synthetic in my 911 for some time now with the best of luck(tons of 911 guys use it). Whether or not I will put it in my Ferrari is entirely debatable at this point. It looks great on paper and has been great in my Porsche but, the Ferrari engine is more finicky and is a heck of a lot more expensive should it need to be rebuilt. We'll see. Just my .02.

 

The latast and greatest test that oil is being put through nowadays is called the "high temperature/high shear" test aka hths. If I remember correctly, this test came online about 5 or 6 eyars ago and truly changed the way oils are formulated. The test is conducted at 150 degrees celsius and is conducted by a capillary viscometer. The capillary viscometer determines how much an oil sheers or breaks down at 150 degrees celsius in severe metal to metal conditions. The temperatures of piston domes, main bearings, and rod bearings in some engines, are over 150 degrees celsius. Most oils failed the required standards for their particular weight when the test was first performed. Companies like Mobil 1, Castrol, Shell, and some others initially passed but, not to a point where they were completely satisfied. Many of you will notice that in the past few years these major companies as well as several others have severely changed their oil additives and are also marketing that these new formulations are good for longer mileage. The hths test as well as more stringent SL, SJ requirements are a couple of reason why. Do not get involved with a Motor oil in your Ferrari/Porsche/Lamborghini/Maserati unless your hths is MINIMUM 3.8-4.0. These engines run hot and unless you have an oil that stays a certain viscocity at those high temperatures, one would be subjected to an extraordinary amount of premature wear. Any company that is worth their salt will publish this information on their website.

One of the balancing factors for hths is the flashpoint. The flashpoint is basically the temperature in which the oil vaporizes. You want to have an oil that is balanced with the two. From the research I have done, the only off the shelf motor oils that I believe are best for these highly stressed motors are as follows:
Mobil 1 0w-40. HTHS is 3.8 and the flashpoint is 456F
Shell rotella t Synthetic 5w-40. I have not confirmed through testing what the exact HTHS is but, the tech correspondent who wrote the above artice states that itis over 4.0. Flashpoint is 431F. I would put Rotella T synthetic on top but, with lack of factual data on the HTHS I will not.
Castrol syntec does not publish their HTHS nor have I been able to find it anywhere.
AMSOIL is good but, many say their additives are just too much and tend to wear out catalytic converters prematurely.

As far as Shell Ultra Helix is concerned, I am unable to find any data. Ultra Helix is tested using European methods which are just different. In the US we have SL, and SJ standard while in Europe they use a completely different rating system. Ferrari needs to remember that the gasoline we use in the states has different additives in it, and that the oils we use out here are designed to lubricate in regards to our fuel. European oil is designed to lubricate with their fuel. You can see where I am going with this. Why use an oil that is formulated to work best with fuels that are not available in this country?

I am no engineer but, I found it was best to research the most critical fluid in your precious engine very thoroughly. Just my $.02.


regards to all, John

 

There are so many contributing factors to what makes a good oil that finding one that is right for you is a balancing act. HTHS, viscocity index, flasphoint, viscocity at 40C &100C, group III synt, or group IV PAO synt. One could undoubtedly go on all day on what is best or matters most. However, I do know that the Porsche factory states that the only oils they will certify in their vehicles need to have certain perameters and a minimum HTHS of around 3.6 is one of them.

 

Castrol 20/50 is good mix for a '84 Carrera. Air cooled engines are academically harder on oils than any other engines. The air cooled Porsche flat six has piston dome temperatures well over 450F as well as slightly hotter main/big bearing temperaturs. The only problem with with Castrol or any other dino oil is that at those high temperatures, one is hard pressed to wonder how much extra oil is burning off/not doing its job properly with that type of heat. The Carrera holds a monumental 11 1/2 quarts of oil and the oil cooling system on the '84-'89 models does well with handling the heat. Still, I would keep an oil in the car that is more stable in such conditions. A dino oil could break down entirely too fast if driven hard. For the summer I run Mobil 15w-50 and winter I use 5w-40 Rotella T synthetic. Good results and hard proof that the additives do not break-down so easily in high heat.


As far as AGIP is concerned. I cannot find anything on AGIP's products. It has to be good for how expensive it is, right The Ferrari factory had to run some sort of analysis on that particular oil to deem it prudent for that particular vehicle. Ferrari has won a couple of races so maybe they know what they are doing.

Engines manufactured today are made with tighter tolerances every year. The build quality and engineering does nothing but get more efficient. It amazes me how some people today are saying that the almighty "break-in" period is all but a thing of the past. The cyliner walls are honed with fewer ridges and main/rod bearing technology has come a long way since the original Glacier Vandervel lead indium bearings of the 70's. I would undoubtedly recommend a different oil for a newer model than I would for an oilder model. Heck, I do not know if even half the older model Ferrari blocks or cylinder heads would pass Ferrari's strict foundry approval process for what is or is not going to be used in one of their new vehicles. Yes, they are that good nowadays. If a person is using 20 weight oil in their 575 it with good luck, it would not surprise me but, I would highly recommend having a thorough analysis be performed by blackstone laboratories or another reputable company that can read the amount of iron, copper, etc in your oil to check for impurities. The bearings used in the modern engines should not be affected whatsoever but, the bearings and non-nikasil cylinder linings of older cars would be affected by the, well.... lack of technology and also the fact that "new runs" of old bearing done by Vandervell are still the exact same bearing they made 30 years ago just new. You would think they might make it better for how much the things cost. Ah well.

regards to all- j