When it comes to protecting your engine’s internal components, Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) plays a crucial role. ZDDP serves as a wear-preventive additive that shields metal surfaces, especially under high-pressure conditions.
In this post, we’ll provide a detailed ZDDP oil chart that shows the zinc and phosphorus levels in various motor oils.
ZDDP oil chart
| Brand & Oil Type | Zinc (ppm) | Phosphorus (ppm) | Total ZDDP (ppm) | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valvoline VR1 Racing 20W-50 | 1400 | 1300 | 2700 | Classic cars, racing engines |
| Castrol GTX Classic 20W-50 | 1350 | 1200 | 2550 | Older engines and muscle cars |
| Mobil 1 15W-50 | 1200 | 1100 | 2300 | High-performance street engines |
| Lucas Hot Rod & Classic 10W-40 | 2100 | 1900 | 4000 | Flat-tappet and performance engines |
| PennGrade 1 10W-30 | 1500 | 1350 | 2850 | Vintage and hot rod engines |
| Amsoil Z-Rod 10W-30 | 1440 | 1320 | 2760 | Collector cars and hot rods |
| Red Line 10W-40 | 1550 | 1350 | 2900 | Racing and high-stress engines |
| Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 | 1100 | 1000 | 2100 | Diesel and mixed fleet engines |
| Brad Penn 20W-50 | 1500 | 1350 | 2850 | Older flat-tappet engines |
| Royal Purple HPS 10W-40 | 1300 | 1200 | 2500 | Street performance engines |
| Joe Gibbs Driven HR2 10W-30 | 1600 | 1500 | 3100 | Classic muscle and race engines |
| Kendall GT-1 Competition 20W-50 | 1400 | 1300 | 2700 | Older engines, drag racing |
| Chevron Delo 400 15W-40 | 1100 | 1000 | 2100 | Diesel engines and fleets |
| Motul 300V Le Mans 20W-60 | 1300 | 1200 | 2500 | High-performance engines |
| Quaker State Defy 10W-30 | 1200 | 1100 | 2300 | High-mileage and older vehicles |
| Castrol Edge Supercar 10W-60 | 1300 | 1200 | 2500 | Sports and high-performance engines |
| Valvoline Premium Blue 15W-40 | 1150 | 1050 | 2200 | Diesel and heavy-duty trucks |
| Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15W-40 | 1100 | 1000 | 2100 | Diesel, farm, and construction engines |
| Amsoil Dominator 15W-50 | 1600 | 1450 | 3050 | Track and competition vehicles |
| Red Line 20W-50 | 1550 | 1400 | 2950 | Air-cooled and racing engines |
| Brad Penn Grade 1 10W-30 | 1450 | 1300 | 2750 | Classic and rebuilt engines |
| Driven XP9 10W-40 | 1800 | 1600 | 3400 | Drag racing and endurance motors |
| Liqui Moly Classic 20W-50 | 1300 | 1200 | 2500 | Vintage European engines |
| Royal Purple XPR 10W-40 | 1400 | 1300 | 2700 | Racing and street performance |
| Valvoline Racing Synthetic 10W-30 | 1350 | 1250 | 2600 | Modified street and drag cars |
| Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40 | 950 | 850 | 1800 | Modern performance vehicles |
| Motorex Classic 20W-50 | 1400 | 1250 | 2650 | Classic cars and vintage motorcycles |
| Joe Gibbs Driven HR3 15W-50 | 1700 | 1550 | 3250 | Muscle cars and endurance racing |
| Schaeffer Supreme 7000 15W-40 | 1200 | 1100 | 2300 | Diesel and gasoline mixed use |
| Amalie Elixir Synthetic 15W-40 | 1150 | 1050 | 2200 | Heavy-duty diesel and gas engines |
| Total Quartz Racing 10W-50 | 1350 | 1250 | 2600 | High-RPM engines and race cars |
| Fuchs Titan Race Pro S 10W-50 | 1400 | 1300 | 2700 | Sports and modified engines |
| Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40 | 900 | 800 | 1700 | Modern turbocharged engines |
| Nulon Full Synthetic 10W-40 | 1000 | 900 | 1900 | General use, modern engines |
| Kendall GT-1 Max 5W-30 | 850 | 750 | 1600 | Newer gasoline engines |
| Red Line Break-In Oil 30WT | 2200 | 2000 | 4200 | Engine break-in and camshaft protection |
| AMSOIL Break-In Oil 30WT | 2200 | 2000 | 4200 | Engine break-in and flat-tappet cams |
| Lucas Break-In Oil 20W-50 | 2300 | 2100 | 4400 | New or rebuilt high-performance engines |
| Valvoline NSL 10W-30 Racing | 1400 | 1300 | 2700 | Circle track and drag racing |
| Mobil 1 FS 0W-40 | 1000 | 900 | 1900 | Modern high-performance engines |
| Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30 | 900 | 800 | 1700 | Modern passenger cars |
| Castrol Power1 4T 10W-40 | 1100 | 1000 | 2100 | Motorcycles and performance engines |
| Motul 7100 4T 10W-40 | 1200 | 1100 | 2300 | High-performance motorcycles |
| Torco TR-1 Racing Oil 20W-50 | 1500 | 1400 | 2900 | Classic cars and racing engines |
| Maxima Racing Oils 10W-40 | 1350 | 1250 | 2600 | Performance motorcycles and cars |
| Driven DT40 5W-40 | 1300 | 1200 | 2500 | Modern diesel performance engines |
Related Engine Oil With Most Zinc(Top 5 Best 2025)
Best Oil with ZDDP
Click the Links Below to Check the Latest Prices
1. Lucas Hot Rod & Classic 10W-40
Features:
- Very high zinc and phosphorus levels (ideal for flat-tappet camshaft engines)
- Designed for classic, hot rod, and muscle car engines
- Provides strong anti-wear and anti-scuff protection
- Excellent corrosion resistance during storage
- Compatible with older engine seals and gaskets
2. Brad Penn Grade 1 10W-30
Features:
- Traditional “green oil” formula with high ZDDP content
- Excellent film strength for older engine designs
- Provides superior protection for bearings, lifters, and camshafts
- Ideal for classic cars, rebuilds, and high-performance engines
- Maintains oil pressure and stability under extreme temperatures
3. Amsoil Z-ROD 10W-30
Features:
- Formulated specifically for classic cars and hot rods
- Contains high levels of zinc and phosphorus (ZDDP)
- Provides long-term protection against rust and corrosion during storage
- Premium synthetic base oils ensure stability and reduced oxidation
- Excellent for engines that sit idle for long periods
4. Valvoline VR1 Racing 20W-50
Features:
- High-performance racing oil with elevated ZDDP additives
- Provides superior wear protection under extreme pressure and temperature
- Designed for race engines, muscle cars, and modified street vehicles
- Excellent thermal stability and anti-foam properties
- Not recommended for vehicles with catalytic converters
5. Driven HR2 10W-30
Features:
- Developed for classic and muscle engines requiring high ZDDP
- Provides outstanding camshaft and lifter protection
- Reduces metal-to-metal contact in high-load applications
- Maintains consistent oil pressure and film strength
- Suitable for both street and racing use
Related Classic Car Engine Oil(Top 7 BEST 2025)
How to Read the ZDDP Chart
The ZDDP oil chart helps you identify oils with the right balance of zinc and phosphorus for your engine type.
- If you own a classic or performance vehicle, choose an oil with above 1200 ppm zinc.
- For modern cars (2005 and newer), stick to oils with 800 ppm or less zinc to avoid damaging the catalytic converter.
- Racing oils often have extremely high ZDDP but are not recommended for long-term street driving.
Related Zinc Additive Engine Oil(Benefits & Hidden Formula)
When to Use ZDDP Additives
Sometimes, your preferred oil brand may not contain enough zinc. In that case, you can add a ZDDP additive separately. These additives boost the anti-wear protection without changing the oil’s viscosity.
Common scenarios where ZDDP additives help:
- After rebuilding an old engine
- During camshaft break-in periods
- In high-load, high-temperature operating conditions
- When using modern oils in vintage cars
Popular ZDDP additives include:
- Lucas TB Zinc-Plus
- Red Line Break-In Additive
- Comp Cams Engine Break-In Oil Additive
- Rislone Engine Oil Supplement
Related Low Ash Engine Oil(Explained + Top 3 Best Picks)
Importance of Balancing Zinc Levels
While ZDDP is essential, too much zinc can also be harmful. Excessive ZDDP can lead to:
- Sludge and deposit formation
- Spark plug fouling
- Catalytic converter damage
Therefore, it’s best to use oil with ZDDP levels appropriate to your engine’s design and age.
Final Thoughts
The ZDDP oil chart is an essential reference for car owners, restorers, and mechanics who want to maintain proper lubrication and wear protection in their engines. Whether you drive a modern car, a diesel workhorse, or a classic muscle machine, selecting the right zinc level can significantly extend engine life and performance.
