I was watching Horsepower TV a few weeks back, and they used a Z28 for testing. They drained the trani, diff, and oil, used synthetics, and got 10 more hp on the dyno. I changed my trani and diff last Monday with Redline, but haven't done the oil as of yet. I will use Castrol Syntec on my next oil change. Anyway, I couldn't tell the difference, but my Honda mech. said that the synthetics are the way to go for protection. Anyway, I guess 10 hp isn't enough to notice, or is it? Bought my S used (it's certified) in Dec. and have a year left with the bumper to bumper warranty, and then the rest on the powertrain. Should 10 whp be noticeable, or do ya think they were kinda "jickie"
with the dyno?

 

I don't know that 10 hp would be as noticable when you have 300 as a z28 does (you're only talking about 3% or so). It's only a little over 4% in the S2000. So even if we're optomistic and say that 4% more hp increases acceleration 4% (it doesn't) then you could drop a 5.8 second 0-60 time down to 5.6. LIke i said, it won't correlate that directly, it might shave a tenth off your quarter mile though.
So no, it's probably not "seat of the pants" noticable, but it would certainly be quantifiable.

 

And by the way, yes, synthetics could add 10 hp, I wouldn't consider that dyno fudging. And those gains should rise as rpms rise (reduction of frictional losses), so that would be especially beneficial in the S2000. I always wondered why honda didn't include synthetics from the factory?

 

Just changing the engine oil to synthetic I noticed no change. Also dyno'd back to back. The diff fluid could help, but 10 hp is an awful lot. I think you'd be lucky to see 2-4 hp.

UL

 

Synthetics will get you the best bang for the buck HP of anything you can do to the car. Plus it will help protect the parts better than dino oil will. I have Amsoil in my engine and rear diff. and Redline in the tranny. I forget the times, but right before I changed all the fluids I did some repeated time checks from 55 to 65 in 6th. gear. After I changed to synthetics it was a lot better. Also this was done in the same place both times going the same way.

 

i changed all three to royal purple products and definitely noticed a difference. racingbeat.com endorses royal purple as do many other race clubs because it actually works. racingbeat.com found that miatas gained 2-3% power at the wheels just from changing to royal purple engine oil. go there and read about it. i did and now i am one happy camper.

 

Interesting, that's what I used (RP). No change. Coolant and intake temps were held constant.

UL

 

UL- In your vast dyno experience have you noticed the gains from the Hondata insulator intake gasket? I just finished reading Marrucci's dissertation on this and the temps dropped greatly! How much real life benefit? Thanks, Phil

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ultimate lurker
[B]Just changing the engine oil to synthetic I noticed no change.

 

What ever is on sale: usually Redline 75w-90 gear oil for the differential. Honda MTF seems to be a consensus for the transmission.