Has anyone used Valvoline racing oil, VV851, "NOT STREET LEGAL" ? ?

 

How often do you plan on changing your oil? I don't think the VV851 is designed to be run very long, maybe you'd get 500 miles in a HD?

 

Why so low of mileage? Does it really break down that quick?

 

It doesn't have the detergents for long term or street use. The regular VR1 does have them and is very similar. Why not use it?

 

Typically racing oil is meant to be put in, get beaten to hell around the track, then changed.
Its not designed to handle the heating cycles of cold starts and cool downs, it doesnt have the detergents to clean long term contaminants and its sheer factor wont hold up long term

 

The VV851 "NOT STREET LEGAL" is not street legal because it has a lot of zinc in it. Zinc is a crucial element for older motors or racing motors with flat tappet cams. The zinc will foul a catalytic converter....hence the "Not Street Legal" label.

There's nothing magic about it other than the high zinc content. I used to run it in my drag race car, but don't anymore. Mostly because it's too hard to get and WAY too expensive for what it is. It also doesn't get along real well with methanol fuel. The fuel contamination in the oil turns Valvoline into a chocolate milkshake. These days I run Brad Penn SemiSynth 20/50 oil in the drag car. It has performed well and seems to get along better with methanol. And because I keep a lot on hand, I use it in the bike too, but not in the primary case. I don't know for sure, but because it also has a high zinc content (friction modifier) it might not play well with the clutch.

 

Thanks guys, lots of good info.

 

Street legal oil or not how the hell could anyone know?

 

I think it's a marketing gimmick to appeal to the "Fast and Furious" crowd. There are a bunch of oils out there that have just as much zinc and other heavy metals that are just as "illegal" with no such labeling. This includes Brad Penn and some blends of Amsoil

However, those oils won't be found on the shelves of NAPA or WallyWorld.

"Wow, here's some oil just for outlaws.....like me!"

 

So, how would you know when the oil is warn out?