Slick 50
I've used Slick 50 in the past and I have some observations which are fairly objective (though not scientific!). We kept fuel records for our Mazda MX5 because we were claiming small amounts of business mileage. Fuel consumption was steady at 30-31mpg before we gave it the treatment. I got the garage to add Slick 50 engine lube to new oil during a service and bought two transmision kits for the diff and gearbox.
To cut to the chase consumption improved to 34mpg and that lasted through subsequent services. I can't eliminate the effect of any adjustments made during the service but it's interesting. Subjectively the gearbox (quite notchy on the MX5) seemed easier to shift - my wife in particular noticed this without prompting and has a weakness in her left wrist. Again this could be due to fresh gearbox oil by my experience on other cars has been the it is usually stiffer when new - presumably due to higher viscosity when fresh?
Following my success we tried it in a friends R5 GT Turbo. Again to try to get data we did a few standing starts and in-gear acceleration with me watching the boost guage and speedo. We added the Slick 50 to the engine oild, ran it in for a bit (you don't have to do that these days) then repeated the tests. Boost was arriving 500 to 750RPM earlier...
With regard to longevity it's supposed to work by filling in imperfections in the surface of the metals actually making the surface smoother if viewed at a microscopic level. This is why I last past the oil change - the PTFE is bonded to the metal. We came up with an even more bizarre test for this. My friends front door used to stick because the brass latch bit scraped against the keeper when you shut it. WD40 and 3-in-1 both worked for a week or two and then they just evaporate or dissipate due to physical contact. We applied a generous coating of Slick 50 and rubbed it in and it lasted months... it became a standing joke.
To me these all seem to indicate that it has an effect though most of all I am puzzled WHY? It thought all the major bearings in an engine operate on a film of oil not by physical contact. Gearbox I guess is a different matter and that may be where the real gains are (does an Renault 5 share engine and gearbox oil like the old Minis?)
Just to finish off with a question - I want to add Slick 50 to the gearbox and diffs on my RS2 as there are obviously frictional savings to be made there. However, you can't use it if any wet clutches are involved because it will make the clutch slip (there's another apparent proof it works...) As far as I know the only LSD is a Torsen that doesn't use a clutch. Can anyone comfirm it's OK?
Also how many seperate doses do I need for the gearbox and all diffs?
BTW Slick 50 also do a rather good high temperature grease in tubes you use with a grease gun...
And no I don't work for them!
To cut to the chase consumption improved to 34mpg and that lasted through subsequent services. I can't eliminate the effect of any adjustments made during the service but it's interesting. Subjectively the gearbox (quite notchy on the MX5) seemed easier to shift - my wife in particular noticed this without prompting and has a weakness in her left wrist. Again this could be due to fresh gearbox oil by my experience on other cars has been the it is usually stiffer when new - presumably due to higher viscosity when fresh?
Following my success we tried it in a friends R5 GT Turbo. Again to try to get data we did a few standing starts and in-gear acceleration with me watching the boost guage and speedo. We added the Slick 50 to the engine oild, ran it in for a bit (you don't have to do that these days) then repeated the tests. Boost was arriving 500 to 750RPM earlier...
With regard to longevity it's supposed to work by filling in imperfections in the surface of the metals actually making the surface smoother if viewed at a microscopic level. This is why I last past the oil change - the PTFE is bonded to the metal. We came up with an even more bizarre test for this. My friends front door used to stick because the brass latch bit scraped against the keeper when you shut it. WD40 and 3-in-1 both worked for a week or two and then they just evaporate or dissipate due to physical contact. We applied a generous coating of Slick 50 and rubbed it in and it lasted months... it became a standing joke.
To me these all seem to indicate that it has an effect though most of all I am puzzled WHY? It thought all the major bearings in an engine operate on a film of oil not by physical contact. Gearbox I guess is a different matter and that may be where the real gains are (does an Renault 5 share engine and gearbox oil like the old Minis?)
Just to finish off with a question - I want to add Slick 50 to the gearbox and diffs on my RS2 as there are obviously frictional savings to be made there. However, you can't use it if any wet clutches are involved because it will make the clutch slip (there's another apparent proof it works...) As far as I know the only LSD is a Torsen that doesn't use a clutch. Can anyone comfirm it's OK?
Also how many seperate doses do I need for the gearbox and all diffs?
BTW Slick 50 also do a rather good high temperature grease in tubes you use with a grease gun...
And no I don't work for them!
That's if he hasn't disappeared the the Bahamas on the GBP 500 advance I put down 
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