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Tech Corner

Tech Corner

Engine Breakin

How does Driven assembly grease compare with graphite-based products?

Graphite and moly both have good friction-reducing properties, but both are easily removed. Graphite does not react with the surface materials to create a lasting wear film.

An American cam manufacturer tested a wide variety of greases and lubes to see which provided the longest-lasting lubrication of the camshaft and the Driven Assembly Grease outperformed all other formulations.

Where in the engine can Driven assembly grease be used?

Driven Assembly Grease can be used throughout the engine. It will mix with the break-in oil to produce the desired viscosity relevant to each area of the engine.

Driven hvl sometimes has some cloudy deposits in the bottom of the bottle. What causes this?

HVL contains BR oil. The cloudy material is viscosity modifiers, which can separate in colder temperatures. These do not affect the performance and, if shaken or kept in the warm, will be re-absorbed.

What are the benefits of using assembly grease and break-in oil?

They work together to promote the best ring seal, which helps produce more power. It also provides a strong protective film throughout the engine, which increases component life beyond simply using one or the other in isolation.

Does the break-in oil work in wet clutch bike engines?

Yes. Every JG MX team engine is broken in with this oil.

Can break-in oil be mixed with other Driven engine oils?

Yes.

Some engine builders have seen more fumes using the Driven break-in oil. Why is this?

This is normal. The base oil used has a high volatility, which leads to the oil being burnt off, creating vapours. This is so the additives activate quickly to enable much faster bedding-in of the piston rings whilst minimising wear.

Using a lower volatility oil reduces smoke but slows down the effective bedding-in, which Driven’s own R&D has confirmed. Driven BR30 will breathe even more than other grades, but makes the engine run in faster with better ring seal as a result.

How long should driven break-in oil be used for?

Up to 500 miles before changing on the road. The high zinc content (2800ppm) is a fast-burn formulation, so does its job when exposed to heat and load.

What temperature range can the break-in oil cope with?

Joe Gibbs NASCAR team work to 100 C for their running in, but the oil can work from 80 – 150 C.

Is the break-in oil compatible with Darton Sleeves?

Yes, the US Dodge Midge series all use these. and almost all use BR as the only product that can effectively allow good ring seal. Total Seal has recommended BR for use with their products.

Engine Oil

Does adding aftermarket zinc (ZDDP) to blended oils work?

Most modern oils with high API ratings will have high detergency levels, which will wash away the zinc, negating its use. Additionally, zinc additives all have different reaction rates. Driven use a fast-acting formulation, whereas the formulation used in a road oil will normally be much slower in order to provide some protection over the long oil service life.

Is Shear Stability of engine oil important?
Yes, this is a measure of how much an oil thins through use and therefore how it maintains film strength and oil pressure. Driven oils have low levels of viscosity modifiers. This allows them to stay within grade much more effectively than many competitors’ oils – particularly those with wide ranges such as a 10w60.
When should a switch from Driven Street Performance to XP oils be made?
It depends on the spring pressure. Engines running high spring pressure should use an XP oil. Engines running moderate valve springs can safely use the HR oils for race use. The XP oils also have more friction reduction chemistry, helping to free up more power, so are best where any gain is important.
How long will Driven HR Oil last for race use?

In terms of the lifespan of the oil, if a car had 12 quarts of oil (i.e. dry sump setup) and the oil filter was changed after each meeting while the oil was hot, it could easily last 6 race meetings, each with 1.5 hours’ running. If the oil capacity was much less, we would recommend reducing this to 3 meetings.

What is the ideal temperature range for the driven HR 15w50 mineral and synthetic oils?

100 to 110 C is ideal for both the mineral and synthetic oils in terms of oil life. The synthetic can operate at much higher temperatures than mineral oil, but you do get longer oil life if the oil temperature is closer to 110 C.

is driven HR1 compatible with bronze bushes/bearings?

It is fully compatible with these types of soft metal bearings.

What is driven HR1's Zinc level?

1200 PPM.

What is the service life of the driven street performance range for road use?

8,000 miles with an annual oil change.

Can the synthetic driven XP range be used with a wet clutch?

No, the synthetic oils will cause clutch slip. Exceptions to this are the mineral-based XP products and the semi-synthetic XP5 and XP7.

Driven have developed the MX1 as a wet clutch oil.

Is the Driven HD50 compatible with a wet clutch?

Yes. Harley’s run wet clutches, so the HD50 will work fine.

Is the Driven Street Performance range compatible with white metal bearings?
Yes, there is nothing in the oils that will damage white metal bearings.
Are Driven engine oils OK to use with roller bearing cranks?

Yes, the thought that they don’t like multi-grade oils is a myth.

Can ZDDP affect oxygen sensors?

The only way ZDDP will cause issues with oxygen sensors is if the engine has moderate to high oil consumption. If oil consumption is low, then the ZDDP will not affect oxygen sensors.

Sometimes a skin forms on the top of the Driven XP oils which isn't seen with other oil brands. What is this?

Driven have confirmed this is normal with their engine oil products and is a by-product of the oil formulations. There is no reason to be concerned. It is not a sign the oil is bad or that there is a problem.

Other than MX1, are any of the other Driven oils OK to use with wet clutches?

Yes, the HR range, both mineral and synthetic, will work fine, as the additive pack will allow the wet clutch to work properly.

Which oils perform best if demulsibility (good separation of the oil and water) is key?

The XP range performs better in this respect than the street performance oils.

What is the Driven SR50?

This falls between XP4 and HR1. It is a 20w50, has more anti-wear than HR1, but not as much as XP4. It’s good for 1000 miles of use.

Gearbox Oil

Which oil is best for short duration racing with a dog box?

MTF.

Which oil is best for a Hewland sequential 6-speed box?

75w110.

What can cause frothing of the 75w110 in a quaife dogbox low-powered car with low oil temps?

This is caused by the oil being churned. The best option is to switch to Driven Superspeedway 75w85, which would solve the problem by being a lighter oil.

What temperatures can the 75w110 cope with?

It can take temperatures up to 130 C, but this is high for sustained use.

What temperatures can Driven MTF cope with?

There will be no problems up to 160 C. Joe Gibbs run this in their own gearboxes. NASCAR don’t allow coolers but they still saw a drop in oil temperatures.

Which gear oil is best for a Ford MT75 gearbox?

Driven 75w110.

What does the break-in gear oil do?

It extends component life by avoiding the likelihood of fatigue building up. It doesn’t produce more power.

To break in: Do two power runs on dyno to temp, allow to cool, then change to chosen gear oil; use on the road up to 500 miles, or 20-30 minutes on the track.

ZF manual 6-speed gearbox specifies a GM spec 10w30 engine oil GM 1052931. Does Driven have a suitable product?

The Driven STF is designed for this application as it is also based on an engine oil formulation. Some standard 10w30 oils don’t have the right frictional additives, which can lead to problems if used in this gearbox.

Which oils work in modern front wheel drive gearboxes?
For non-LSD, the STF is good, as long as it similar weight to the factory fill oil. If this requires a 90 weight, STF is too thin.

For LSD boxes the LSD should work. There is only one LSD additive that every LSD gear oil manufacturer uses. The combination of synchros and LSD unit are at odds, so Driven thinks manufacturers must engineer the synchros to work with this sort of set up.

What is the best oil for a Jerico Drag 4-speed box?

Joe Gibbs used to use these in their NASCARs and the Driven MTF was perfect.

What application is the mineral Driven GL4 gear oil aimed at?

The combination of mineral base and lower EP rating provides better bite for brass synchros while protecting the soft metal components from the aggressive effects of high EP.

It is aimed at classic cars, where the use of synthetic oils, even with lower EP ratings, proves too slippery for effective working of the synchros.

Is the Driven mineral GL4 the same as the Driven Break-in Gear Oil?

No, the additive packs are different.

Can you use the Driven GL4 in differential units?

It will work in spiral bevel (non-hypoid) differentials. If the ring gear and pinion are on centre, the GL-4 will work nicely.

Which oils work best in a Muncie gearbox, where some people recommend a mineral product?

The Driven mineral GL4 80w90 product works best, so yes, mineral is better. Gearbox life can be extended with the use of the mineral break-in gear oil.

ancillary products

What are the advantages of PSF over traditional mineral products?
It can take much more heat and still maintain same the feel and consistency of performance.
What is the benefit of the Synthetic Driven F Type ATF over mineral oil?
The synthetic base gives better performance when exposed to heat and load compared to mineral products.
Can Driven F type ATF be used in gearboxes stating use of Dextron III?

Driven are happy to recommend the F type in these applications.

It is not recommended for use in more modern transmissions that specify fluids meeting later specifications.

Is the Driven F Type ATF ok for high power output applications?
Yes, any high power auto transmissions benefit from the Super F technology. The Driven Max Duty is best for 2000+ BHP applications.
How does Driven DCT compare with OEM products?

Independent tests showed that the DCT has 4 times greater shear stability than the OEM products it was compared with. It also performed better in the HTHS test, which measures high temperature (150 C) high shear viscosity under load.

Is the Driven CSP a surfactant?

Yes, it will reduce surface tension and work in the same way as Redline Water Wetter. In addition, it has a powerful anti-corrosion additive that will protect the metals in the cooling system.

Will Driven CSP mix with antifreeze?

Yes.

How much does one bottle of Driven CSP treat?
Up to 5 US gallons (19 litres).
Will Driven CSP leave a slippery residue if spilt?
No. NASCAR are very strict on anything that can be a safety issue so it is designed with racing in mind.
What are benefits of the Driven Carb Defender?

It is blended specifically for carbs, rather than injection systems – the metals used in both systems are different. As most products come from the technology used for modern injection systems, they are not as effective with older-style engines with carburettors. It will protect all fuel system components from the effects of ethanol corrosion.

Will driven Carb Defender clean out deposit build-ups?

Yes, the feedback we have received is that a couple of tanks treated with Defender will clean things up. This includes fuel lines, complete inlet tract and also includes staining.

Will driven Carb Defender protect brass and copper?
Yes.
Will driven Carb Defender work in 2-stroke engines?

Yes.

Will driven Carb Defender mix with lead replacement additives?
Yes.
is driven Carb Defender a sodium-based product?

No.

is driven Carb Defender safe to use with magnesium?
Yes.
What viscosity is driven SHX?

3.2 centistokes.

It is aimed at applications where the valving can be adjusted to take advantage of the lightweight fluid.

What viscosity is Driven HDF?
5 centistokes.