Full Synthetic Oil

[John S.]

Just got off the phone with Jim at Royal Purple. Had a nice conversation with him about oil, API's and differences between their lines of oil. Very informative and helpful. I was looking to switch to RP 5w20 HPS for my first change I'll do at about 1k miles. I wanted verbal verification from someone there that could explain the difference between there API licensed 5w20 and their HPS 5w20. He confirmed my decision to go with the HPS. Just found a killer deal on a case of it for $87 on eBay. I had him confirm the part number for me and he said that was a great deal at about 7.30 a QT! Cheers to Royal Purple.

pn: 36520? What is the difference in API vs HPS?

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[redline727]

pn: 36520? What is the difference in API vs HPS?

Part # for HPS is 31520 (36520 is for 6 qts) Part # for API licensed is 01520 in 5w20

The difference between the two is the API licensed goes by the manufacturers specifications for warranty and minimum standards. It's pretty much the chemical makeup standard for the oil.

The funny thing about API's is they're are just as much about emissions and warranty as they are about minimum protection for your engine. For example, this is what Jim helped solidify my concern for me on, current API's have a cap on the amount of zinc/phosphorus that can be used in it. Which is weird bc it's an anti ware additive. And the reason for the limit is due to emissions and how it can potentially effect catalytic converters over time. Since OEMs are federally mandated to have separate warranties on emissions components well past most cars standard warranties, they obviously would rather extend the life of the cats then the motor itself haha. Everything breaks down to the old mighty dollar at some point!

So Royal Purple has 5 lines of oil. API licensed, so you can have great oil and stick within OEM's warranty and API requirements. HPS which is mid level, high performance street oil for modified higher HP then stock engines, with fortified amounts of zinc for additional anti ware protection, that is above the max amount for current API's. And additional detergents. Then XPR which is their racing oil. Which I imagine is what it sounds like it's for. Strictly motor sport applications. I didn't get specifics on the chemical makeup of this from him personally, as I was not interested in it since I daily my car and as much as I like to pretend it is, it's not a race car in the sense that requires the XPR oil haha. Then they have high mileage, and break-in oils as well.