Which OIL recommended for the B16b
- Thread starter vtecroadhog
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- 3,190
- Car(s)
- 1997 Ek9,1996 ek4 siR, 1972 b18c4 mini
Gulf competition is my oil of choice after trying many brands over the years in many honda engines, from past experience consumption seems to be minimum (near enough zero)compared to the pro -s or what ever it's called today.
I'm going to be using the 10 40 in my ek9
I'm going to be using the 10 40 in my ek9
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- Oct 16, 2012
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Been on the gulf for afew years in My trackcars. Low oil burning and kept everything healthy.
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I'd say a 60 is a bit on the thick side even in a hot climate for a b series.
abunai888
V-tec Addict!
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go with 10w40 cyprus climate is not like shara desert i know some people are to anxious about the oil they using you can mix 10w40 and 15w50 to make something thiker but not too thick as a w60 oil ?
MidwestEK9
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- Dec 16, 2023
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- 36
Alright folks. After eight years, I'm dragging this thread from the dead. It's 2024, and a lot has changed since 2016. What are you all doing NOW with your Hondas?
I recently went down this road since I acquired my EK9. My options here in the states are different than in the UK, but here's where I settled. I was browsing the Motul site when I discovered their Classic Eighties and Classic Nineties engine oils. In this thread, it's apparent that our Honda's love Zinc and ZDDP. While they aren't good for the cat, I'd rather replace a cat than the engine!
Anyways, the Eighties comes in 10w-40 and the Nineties comes in 10w-30. I had settled on a 10w-40 based on this thread (and me being in Colorado at altitude), but had some questions about which was best based on their marketing materials. I sent Motul an email asking what the differences were for my application, and their service reps reply was quite helpful:
Thanks for reaching out with your question! Here's a breakdown of the differences between **Motul's Classic Eighties** and **Classic Nineties** oils, along with what might be best for your 1998 Honda Civic Type-R.
### **1. Viscosity & Application:**
- **Classic Eighties 10W-40:**
- Designed with a focus on older engines, including those with **forced induction** and **flat tappet cams**, which benefit from the added zinc and ZDDP (Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate) protection.
- The **10W-40** viscosity is ideal for your Civic Type-R, as it matches the manual's recommendation and offers strong protection at high temperatures.
- **Classic Nineties 10W-30:**
- Targeted more at high-revving engines of the 1990s and onwards. While this could also apply to your high-revving Honda engine, the **10W-30 viscosity** might not be as ideal if you're set on using 10W-40.
- Despite the focus on high-rev engines, it does not offer the same viscosity range you're after.
### **2. Zinc and ZDDP:**
Both the Classic Eighties and Classic Nineties oils have sufficient levels of **Zinc and ZDDP** for wear protection. However, the **Classic Eighties version** tends to have a higher concentration of these additives, which would be beneficial for older engines or high-performance setups, even in naturally aspirated engines like yours.
### **3. Formula Differences Beyond Viscosity:**
The primary difference lies in the focus of the formulations. While the **Classic Nineties** is tailored to high-revving engines and lower-viscosity applications, the **Classic Eighties** is more suited to engines that may need a bit more robust protection under higher loads or temperatures—like with forced induction or spirited driving.
### **Conclusion:**
It sounds like the **Classic Eighties 10W-40** is indeed the better choice for your Civic Type-R. It meets the required viscosity, provides the desired zinc and ZDDP protection, and is still well within the API SL rating, which supersedes the original SJ requirement. While marketed for slightly older engines, it should work perfectly for your high-revving, naturally aspirated Honda.
You won't harm anything using the Eighties oil in your late-90s engine, especially since it offers the benefits you’re looking for.
Sincerely,
Nelson
Customer Service
Well, hats off to Motul and Nelson for some amazing customer service there! It was a detailed reply, and certainly made me feel super comfortable running their "Classic Eighties 10w-40" in my EK9. It will be going in during a service a month from now... as well as some spoon suspension bushings, mugen motor mounts, belt service, water pump.... she's gonna run like new! (Not like she doesn't right now
)
As a bonus... the 2L tin looks dope as hell...
I recently went down this road since I acquired my EK9. My options here in the states are different than in the UK, but here's where I settled. I was browsing the Motul site when I discovered their Classic Eighties and Classic Nineties engine oils. In this thread, it's apparent that our Honda's love Zinc and ZDDP. While they aren't good for the cat, I'd rather replace a cat than the engine!
Anyways, the Eighties comes in 10w-40 and the Nineties comes in 10w-30. I had settled on a 10w-40 based on this thread (and me being in Colorado at altitude), but had some questions about which was best based on their marketing materials. I sent Motul an email asking what the differences were for my application, and their service reps reply was quite helpful:
Thanks for reaching out with your question! Here's a breakdown of the differences between **Motul's Classic Eighties** and **Classic Nineties** oils, along with what might be best for your 1998 Honda Civic Type-R.
### **1. Viscosity & Application:**
- **Classic Eighties 10W-40:**
- Designed with a focus on older engines, including those with **forced induction** and **flat tappet cams**, which benefit from the added zinc and ZDDP (Zinc Dialkyl Dithiophosphate) protection.
- The **10W-40** viscosity is ideal for your Civic Type-R, as it matches the manual's recommendation and offers strong protection at high temperatures.
- **Classic Nineties 10W-30:**
- Targeted more at high-revving engines of the 1990s and onwards. While this could also apply to your high-revving Honda engine, the **10W-30 viscosity** might not be as ideal if you're set on using 10W-40.
- Despite the focus on high-rev engines, it does not offer the same viscosity range you're after.
### **2. Zinc and ZDDP:**
Both the Classic Eighties and Classic Nineties oils have sufficient levels of **Zinc and ZDDP** for wear protection. However, the **Classic Eighties version** tends to have a higher concentration of these additives, which would be beneficial for older engines or high-performance setups, even in naturally aspirated engines like yours.
### **3. Formula Differences Beyond Viscosity:**
The primary difference lies in the focus of the formulations. While the **Classic Nineties** is tailored to high-revving engines and lower-viscosity applications, the **Classic Eighties** is more suited to engines that may need a bit more robust protection under higher loads or temperatures—like with forced induction or spirited driving.
### **Conclusion:**
It sounds like the **Classic Eighties 10W-40** is indeed the better choice for your Civic Type-R. It meets the required viscosity, provides the desired zinc and ZDDP protection, and is still well within the API SL rating, which supersedes the original SJ requirement. While marketed for slightly older engines, it should work perfectly for your high-revving, naturally aspirated Honda.
You won't harm anything using the Eighties oil in your late-90s engine, especially since it offers the benefits you’re looking for.
Sincerely,
Nelson
Customer Service
Well, hats off to Motul and Nelson for some amazing customer service there! It was a detailed reply, and certainly made me feel super comfortable running their "Classic Eighties 10w-40" in my EK9. It will be going in during a service a month from now... as well as some spoon suspension bushings, mugen motor mounts, belt service, water pump.... she's gonna run like new! (Not like she doesn't right now
)As a bonus... the 2L tin looks dope as hell...
No_Fear
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2007
- Messages
- 804
i was always using motul oils ,based on motul recommendation : https://www.motul.com/en-FR/products/17600?product=MOTUL+8100+X-CESS+5W-40 , maybe will try the classic on next oil change.
EURO-EK4-B16B
New Member
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- Nov 27, 2025
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- 2
SH SJ SL grade oils had zinc levels around 1300ppm, that Motul classic has 1800ppm and might damage you catalytic convertor. if you use it that is. Modern oils SN grade have around 900 which is a bit low for our types of cams.