Well I finally found a distributor about 10 miles from me that is able to get the Helix line of oils. He will be giving me a call back on the price. Has anyone ever used this? Any good?

I know Mitsu recommends Mobil 1 which I use religiously and every 2500 on my Evo, But I am always looking for something different and better.

 

I work for Afton Chemical Corp., we are a certified testing/ research facility for engine oils, fuels and gear lubes. From the results I have seen Mobil one is close to the best oil for a high performance street driven car with low load internal parts, Am$oil being one of the few superior oils. I don't know much about Shell's Helix line, we deal mostly with Shell's fuel additives (V-Power), but most major oil companies synthetic oils are very similar in terms of performance, it just seems Mobil 1 has set the benchmark that others are compared to.

 

Thought the same thing myself. Do you by chance have viscosity breakdown info for automotive oils?

 

No, I don't have any chemical analysis information, I work with the mechanical part of the testing. I do know that Mobil ( and most synthetics) offer high cold flow ratings, improving cold startup/idle wear protection. Viscosity breakdown tends to vary depending on the conditions of the oil's environment and manufacturers try to perform equally in all environments simultaneously. One of the ASTM tests that all oils must passed to be put on the market is the sequence III test that incorporates high load, high speed and high temperature conditions (including so much knock that it sounds like there are marbles in the valve covers) to evaluate an oils performance ( conditions far more severe than an EVO may see at a very hot track), although this test is run with a pushrod v6, synthetic oils have passed this test "with flying colors." In fact I have heard that when mobil one was introduced, mobil requested a sequence III test be run for 300 hrs., which is three times the tests normal duration, the oil did not actually "fail" until approx. hr 260. (Where many conventional research oils may fail at hours 60 or earlier). Even after failing Mobil 1 still offered a decent degree of protection. One of the major reasons to change an oil like mobil one at regular intervals is to remove debris and deposits suspended in the oil, not necessarily because the oil is going "bad." Basically, you get what you pay for and the major oil companies put a lot of time and money into their formulations. Although one brand maybe temporarily superior, the others are quick to catch up. Just don't buy the 99 cent wal-mart stuff.

 

I'm pretty sure the Enzo is required to use Helix Oil, 12qts of it. Roughly $780 for an oil change.

 

Is Helix oil that expensive? Is Helix the name of the synthetic oil or all shell oil products? $780 must include labor or is that the price of the oil? When I was doing research in Central America this fall I saw Helix oil ads/products (not sure if conventional or synthetic) and I doubt it could be too expensive if it is advertised in third world countries. Often times a manufactures motivation to recommend a certain brand/type of oil to be used can be very financially driven. I am sure a contract between Shell and Ferrari has very high mutual benefits ( i.e. F1 racing, ads, prestige/reputation). Nonetheless from my experience with shell fuels in the research environment, their synthetic oil must be of high quality. Sometimes ones consumer choices boils down to brand loyalty or product indentification.

 

Ive heard that HELIX oil is expensive as hell.I had a question FuelsResearch.What is the additive they put in the V-Power??Ive heard it was only a detergent but I swear my car runs better on the V-Power than any other gas around here.I deliver gas down here but only do Shell stations once in a while.I usually only do Citgo stations.All the gas comes from the same rack no matter what it is and the additives are added during loading.Some are added to the tank at delivery but most at the rack.Just wondering what the V-Power is.

 

I am pretty sure I read on here that, that is what Big Al uses or has used in his car, I believe he was using it in his transfer case, don't kow about the motor.

Shane

 

One of the magazines, MotorTrend I think, mentioned the price of oil changes for the Enzo and that it required the helix oil. I can't comment on how much of that $780 is oil cost, but I'm guessing Ferrari probably charges a pretty penny for labor and maybe for some "advanced" oil filter. They may even flush the motor or have some hi-tech equipment they use to ensure no particles are left. However, I'm only speculating here...

 

Although I am involved in the mechanical side of testing, rather than with the chemical formulations, I am assuming V-Power is similar to any other additive packages in that it contains ingredients such as detergents, lubricants (for pumps, seals etc.) and probably an antiknock agent like mmt (which replaces lead in unleaded fuels). A lot of add packs also contain ingredients that limit polutant byproducts ( claiming reductions in emmisions provides huge selling power in this industry) The big gas companies (Exxon, Bp, Shell etc.) all have some additives regardless of octane, I suppose the premium fuel just has a more extensive add pack. The reason no name gas stations are cheaper is because their gas does not include vital additives. As far as I understand from fuels chemists around here, Shell has the best premium fuel/ additives right now, but that will probably change due to fierce competition. EVO32570, it is interesting to learn how the fuel is actually deliverd to the stations, I did not know the additives were added at the time of delivery. I assume if you have Citgo gas you are not adding Shell additives . As a side note, It is wiser to purchase gas at recently constructed stations rather than old ones, because old tanks at old stations are more succeptible to water contamination.

 

^^ i read a similar article but it was in Car and Driver. i would assume that if Helix is used in a ferrari though. it is probably some crazy spendy shiz. and from what i read on this thread, maybe not much more superior. my .02

 

50 bucks a quart retail...12 to 13 quarts needed for oil and filter service for the Enzo.

I have not done an oil change just yet on the Enzo but we use the same motor oil in the 360 Challenge race cars.

Winston