Zinc Dialkyldithiphosphate Provides Proven Wear Protection
But its incompatibility with pollution-reduction devices severely limits its use in modern motor oils.
As today’s automotive engines push the envelope seeking higher fuel economy and lower emissions, the demands placed on motor oil are escalating. This push for improved performance is nothing new. Racers and enthusiasts have long looked for ways to squeeze more horsepower from their vehicles. Full-engine builds, bolt-on power adders and even mild tunes put more stress on engine components, and the oil must protect parts from wear even as they are pushed beyond the limits of OEM design. This is where the most recognized anti-wear additive, zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), comes into the picture.
How ZDDP Works To Protect Your Engine
Renowned for its exceptional lubricating properties, ZDDP is the ultimate safeguard against wear and tear, extending the lifespan of your engine and ensuring optimal performance. With a unique formulation that combines the power of both zinc and phosphorus, ZDDP forms a protective barrier on metal surfaces, preventing friction, minimizing engine wear, and improving oxidation stability.
It also exhibits mild extreme-pressure (EP) protection. Specifically, ZDDP helps protect highimpact surfaces like camshaft lobes, lifter surfaces and rockers against wear. As temperatures rise and surfaces come closer together, ZDDP decomposes and the resulting chemistry is what protects the critical metal surfaces. When parts move during operation, any sliding or rolling motion takes place on top of or within the ZDDP anti-wear film, which reduces metal-to-metal contact.
Benefits of using ZDDP in engine oil
This is especially important in modified engines with flat-tappet camshafts because the pressure and load on the cam exceeds what it was originally designed for, which puts more stress on the engine. The camshaft and lifters are responsible for triggering the precisely tuned movements of the valvetrain. Without the protective film barrier provided by ZDDP, the cams and lifters will wear from the force of operation, resulting in poor performance.
All engines benefit from oils with superior film strength and antiwear properties. ZDDP can be used in a wide range of engines, from classic cars to modern high-performance vehicles. Whether you have a vintage muscle car or a turbocharged sports car, ZDDP is compatible with various engine designs and provides reliable protection across the board.
The history of ZDDP
so why don’t all motor oils have boosted levels of ZDDP? It’s back to the goal of improving emissions systems performance. Generally, ZDDP used in high levels results in volatile phosphorus being transferred from the combustion chamber to the catalytic converter. Like with lead in 1970s gasoline, phosphorus can blind over the catalytic reaction sites in the converter, making it less efficient in turning carbon monoxide (CO) into carbon dioxide (CO2). The EPA mandates that catalytic converters operate as designed for more than 100,000 miles. As a result, ZDDP levels are now limited for newer motor oil specifications. The largest portion of the volatile phosphorus is generated right after you change your oil. So the more you change your oil, the more your catalytic converter is exposed to this volatile phosphorus. Conversely, longer drain intervals can limit the negative impact of volatile phosphorus on catalytic converters.
Both engine technology and oil technology have evolved over the years. Today’s performance engines have very different oil requirements compared to older engine designs from the 1960s and 1970s. Many new engines use roller cams, which aren’t as sensitive to ZDDP anti-wear protection as older flat-tappet camshafts and solid lifters. Older engines equipped with flat-tappet cams require higher levels of anti-wear/ mild EP (ZDDP) than today’s engines. This area in an engine is exposed to extreme contact load. Since this load increases significantly when non-stock, high-pressure valve springs are used, the use of properly formulated motor oils is extremely important to reduce wear and extend flat-tappet and camshaft life, especially during the critical break-in period. Since the amount of zinc and phosphorus in oils formulated for today’s automobiles has been greatly reduced and newer API oils are not designed specifically for older-style, modified engines, engine wear can be a major issue.
Harness the power of ZDDP in engine protection
AMSOIL manufactures a complete line of motor oils with ZDDP tailored to meet the specific needs of classic cars and other vehicles requiring higher antiwear/ mild EP protection.
Whether you’re a classic-car enthusiast, hot rodder, tuner or drifter, your equipment may require the protection provided by these products. Knowledge is power; but we want you to experience maximum power from your engine also!
AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil
AMSOIL Z-ROD® Synthetic Motor Oil (10W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50) is designed with the level of anti-wear/mild EP required to safely protect older and modified engine designs such as those with flat-tappet camshafts. It is also designed specifically to resist rust and corrosion that attacks engines during periods of inactivity and storage. This makes it the right choice for muscle cars, street rods and other high-performance vehicles with flat-tappet camshafts.
- As a general service guideline, the maximum drain interval for Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil should not exceed 5,000 miles / 8,000 km or two years, whichever comes first.
- Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil is safe for automotive seals.
- Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with Z-ROD.
Z-ROD® 10W-30- As a general service guideline, the maximum drain interval for Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil should not exceed 5,000 miles / 8,000 km or two years, whichever comes first.
- Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil is safe for automotive seals.
- Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with Z-ROD.
Z-ROD® 10W-40- As a general service guideline, the maximum drain interval for Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil should not exceed 5,000 miles / 8,000 km or two years, whichever comes first.
- Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil is safe for automotive seals.
- Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with Z-ROD.
Z-ROD® 20W-50AMSOIL Synthetic Premium Protection Motor Oil
AMSOIL Synthetic Premium Protection Motor Oil (10W-40, 20W-50) is a multi-use, premium synthetic lubricant, ideal for high-mileage vehicles and high-stress vehicles subject to hot temperatures, heavy hauling, trailer pulling or off-road use. It provides the extra anti-wear protection required by engines with flat-tappet cams and high-tension valve springs.
- Normal and Severe Service - Up to 15,000 miles / 24,000 kilometers or one year, whichever comes first, or longer based on oil analysis.
- High-zinc formula guards against wear
- Ideal for flat-tappet cams
- Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL Synthetic Oils.
10W-40 Premium Protection Motor Oil- Normal and Severe Service - Up to 15,000 miles / 24,000 kilometers or one year, whichever comes first, or longer based on oil analysis.
- High-zinc formula guards against wear
- Ideal for flat-tappet cams
- Aftermarket oil additives are not recommended for use with AMSOIL Synthetic Oils.
20W-50 Premium Protection Motor OilAMSOIL SAE 30 Break-In Oil
AMSOIL Break-In Oil is designed to work quickly in new and rebuilt highperformance and racing engines. This SAE 30 viscosity grade oil features a no-friction-modifier formula that helps induce controlled wear in rings to help mate and seat piston rings. It also has very high levels of ZDDP.
- Contains zinc and phosphorus anti-wear additives to protect cam lobes, lifters and rockers during the critical break-in period when wear rates are highest.
- Increased film strength protects rod and main bearings from damage.
- The engine builder’s or manufacturer’s break-in recommendations should be followed if available. Break-in period should not exceed 1,000 miles / 1,600 km.
SAE 30 Break-In Oil
Canada
United States