Which viscosity provides the best protection a 20W50 or a 5W20? Which one delivers the lowest friction? Since friction and wear are independent of each other, we need a special engine equipped with combustion analysis to separate engine friction from the horsepower created by combustion. To measure wear, we need used oil samples of both oils to measure the wear generated in the engine during startup cycles and full power runs. To isolate just the effect of viscosity, we choose two oils that have the exact same additive package and base oil types. This way, the only variable is the viscosity.

While we had the engine on the dyno, we also tested the impact of prefilling (or not prefilling) the oil filter on engine wear, and that produced an unexpected result!

To get to the sections you are most interested in, here are the chapter shortcuts:
00:01:04 Combustion Analysis vs Dyno Horsepower Readings
00:02:48 Test Plan
00:08:07 Oil Pressure Rise with 5W20
00:14:53 Dyno Testing 5W20 Oil
00:16:37 Cold Pour Comparison 5W20 vs 20W50
00:19:45 Oil Pressure Rise with 20W50
00:20:50 Dyno Testing 20W50 oil
00:21:56 OIl Level Testing
00:27:03 Power Test Results 5W20 vs 20W50
00:30:33 Wear Test Results Oil Analysis Reports

For more about Oil Analysis, check out: https://www.speediagnostix.com

For more information about EFI University, check out: http://www.efi101.com

Here are links to the products used in the video:
GP1 20W50 https://amzn.to/3VsZc9J
GP1 5W20 https://amzn.to/3yOzC6q
Wix Racing Filter https://amzn.to/4bJLK77

To see how friction and wear are independent of each other, check out this video:
   • More Zinc = More Wear? The REAL Truth...  

To learn about viscosity grades, check out this video:    • The "W" DOESN'T Stand For WEIGHT! A C...  

Who is the ‪@themotoroilgeek‬? I'm a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Certified Lubrication Specialist and Oil Monitoring Analyst (I've maintained both of those for over a decade). I also worked for Joe Gibbs Racing for 12 years as their lubricant specialist. During that time, we worked with Wix Filters (one of our sponsors) to test and develop filters for our race engines. We also worked with Lubrizol and ChevronPhillips Chemical to test and develop oils for our race cars. Following that, I was the head of R&D for Driven Racing Oil. During that time, I formulated and tested over 50 products. We also worked with Cummins, Comp Cams, Oak Ridge National Labs and General Motors on various R&D products. Those efforts are recorded in peer reviewed white papers published by SAE International and ACS Sustainable Chemistry journals. Today, I am the Tribologist for ‪@TotalSeal‬ , and I provide used oil analysis via SPEEDiagnostix.

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