AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 2-Cycle Racing

Answer: AMSOIL has run extensive tests both in-house and with outside laboratories and has determined that the optimum pre-mix ratio is 50:1. If you use any other mix ratio, whether richer or leaner, you will not achieve maximum performance. The 50:1 mix ratio provided lower running temperatures and more power than at 100:1.

Question: Why is the ATC Synthetic 2-Cycle Oil pre-mixed at 100:1 and the Series 2000 is 50:1?

Answer: One reason is because racing motors are modified from their standard configuration. They are designed to run at higher RPMs, hotter temperatures and more severe conditions. A mix ratio of 50:1 gives that extra added protection needed for racing.

Question: What are the recommended applications for the Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil?

Answer: Series 2000 Racing Oil is recommended for use in boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, motorcycles and all other applications that demand high performance. It is a top quality product designed for racing and severe service applications, as well as recreational use.

Question: How does the Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil compare with the other AMSOIL 2-cycle oils?

Answer: AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil is our top performing two cycle lubricant. It is race-ready and provides more power and cooler operating temperatures than our other two-cycle oils. Basically, these oils' applications are different. Our 100:1 2-Cycle Oil (ATC) provides top quality economical performance in pre-mix systems. For customers using ATC at richer mix ratios in racing applications, the Series 2000 Oil is the recommended oil. AMSOIL Injector Oil (AIO) is a performance oil designed for those who want synthetic performance in injector systems, but do not want the price tag or need the all-out race performance designed in the Series 2000 Racing Oil. AIO has earned a reputation for durability and protection and continues to be recommended for recreational and performance injector applications.

Detergency/Cleanliness
Question: Why is the AMSOIL TCR so clean-burning?

Answer: It/s clean-burning because of the type of synthetic esters and additives used. The synthetic esters are pure, with inherent solvency characteristics. This means that rather than leave deposits, they have a self-cleaning action to keep the system deposit-free.

Compare AMSOIL Synthetic 2-Cycle Racing Oil's Clean Operation Characteristics

These photographs show cylinder heads after 2.5 hours of operation using AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil and other high-performance two-cycle racing oils. AMSOIL racing oil leaves the least amount of deposits.

The other reason it is so clean is that AMSOIL chooses to use ashless technology as opposed to a lot of other companies that use ash-containing formulations. Ash-containing products are dirtier than ashless. This may seem rather obvious, but most companies use ash-containing additives because they are about one-third the cost of ashless additives. This is true even with competitors' super premium synthetic products as well as the expensive castor oil two-cycle products.

AMSOIL INC. has a lot of history with ashless additive packages. AMSOIL has been using this advanced class of chemistry for many years and has demonstrated excellent performance over time.

Question: What are the specific advantages of using a clean-burning two-cycle oil?

Answer: The three specific advantages are reduced spark plug fouling, no ring sticking and reduced deposit formation. A fouled spark plug will cause backfires and prevent the motor from running smoothly. Ring sticking from carbon deposits decreases performance and can lead to moto rseizure caused from hot gases escaping past the rings and down the side of the piston. Deposits that form in the combustion chamber can cause predetonation because if they get thick enough they can glow red hot which will ignite the gas mixture bfore the spark plug fires. This creates excessive heat and can burn holes in the piston. Deposits can also clog the exhaust port and limit the action of exhaust power valves found on high performance two-strokes.

Lubricity
Question: What is lubricity and how does it affect a two-cycle engine?

Answer: The function of lubricity is to reduce friction, increase power and prevent piston scuffing. Piston scuffing increases friction, which reduces power and can result in engine seizure.

Question: What gives the AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil its lubricity?

Answer: AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racintg Oil has super lubricity due to its synthetic ester chemistry. The oil has a high molecular weight, which prevents metal-to-metal contact. Generally, high molecular weight petroleum oils burn dirty, but with AMSOIL Synthetic 2-Cycle Oils you get the best of both worlds -- great lubricity and clean burning.

ASTM D-4863 Two-Cycle Lubricity Test
Question: What is the ASTM D-4863 Two-Cycle Lubricity Test displayed on the back of the bottle of AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil?

Answer: This ASTM test is a requirement for all TC-W3 and API TC two-cycle oils. This test utilizes a TC-W3 reference oil which all candidate oils are run against. The reference TC-W3 oil is run through a Yamaha CE50S 50cc engine at wide open throttle. The cooling fan is then shut off, allowing the temperature to go up to 350 deg. C. The heat causes the piston to expand inside the cyclinder, resulting in an increase in friction and a decrease in torque. The lab then measures the torque value of the reference oil at the elevated temperature (350 deg C). Then they run the candidate oil through the same procedure and measure its torque value at the same elevated temperature and compare the two results. AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil retained 17.6 percent more power at 350 deg. C than the reference TC-W3 oil. The test results are displayed on the back of the TCR bottles. The competitor's synthetic oil retained only 4.5 percent as much power and a petroleum oil retained 5.0 percent power compared to AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil.

This test proves that AMSOIL TCR has excellent friction-reducing properties at high temperatures.

Compatibility
Question: Is the AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil compatible with other synthetic and pertoleum two-cycle oils?

Answer: AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil has been tested and found to be compatible with synthetic and petroleum TC-W3 injector oils. Most other oils are also compatible. However, if the oil does not claim TC-W3 performance, there could be compatibility issues.

Engine Testing
Question: What other engien tests have been performed using AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil?

Answer: AMSOIL has run inside laboratory tests using a Husqvarna 266 XP chainsaw engine measuring temperature differences with all other top-rated synthetic and petroleum two-cycle racing oils. There were two gasoline-oil mixture lines running to the engine with a simple diverter valve to switch between AMSOIL TCR and each competitor oil. The different oils were then compared while the engine was running so that the exact operating conditions were equial.

Two Cycle Racing Oil

2cycle_torque.jpg (33300 bytes)

In almost all cases, as soon as the switch was thrown to supply a competitor's oil, the temperature would start to rise.

AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle racing Oil was found to reduce temperature up to 28 deg F compared to competing oils. Some oils experienced a phenomenon called "thermal runaway." which means the temperature was rising to the point of failure if the test had not been halted.

The second series of testing was with a Yamaha 338 twin cylinder, twin carburetor snowmobile engine. Each carburetor is fed with a different gasoline oil mixture. This allows you to run one test with two oils under the same conditions. The tests were run under severe conditions of 2 1/2 hours at wide open throttle. This procedure was conducted to measure carbon deposits.

AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil produced less deposits than all oils tested. Some oils couldn't even complete the test due to engine seizure. The test procedure wasn't even designed to cause this, but rather to see how AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil measured against top synthetic oils in regard to carbon deposits on the cyclinder heads, pistons and rings.

AMSOIL tested more than 100 different oils. This included different in-house AMSOIL formulations as well as competing oils.

Question: Were these tests conducted at independent laboratories as well?

Answer: After the above tests were run in-house at AMSOIL's laboratory, the testing procedure was repeated at an independent lab to confirm the results. The data obtained for the graph used on the TCR bottle is from the independent lab.

Question: Has the AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil been used in actual field trials?

Answer: The development and testing of AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil took 18 months. Variations of the new oil while it was being developed have been run in outboard boat engines and snowmobiles for field testing as well. The TCR oil is now beng used by the AMSOIL Scheuring Speed Sports Race Team during the 1998-99 Snocross Series. In five events so far, the team has captured three first-place finishes, one-third-place finish and one fourth-place finish. All events are televised on ESPN and ESPN-2.

2k_2cycle_weargraph.jpg (21623 bytes)

The Series 2000 Product Line
Question: What qualifies an AMSOIL lubricant to become part of the Series 2000 product line?

Answer: The Series 2000 line is the next gneration of oils resulting from new synthetic technology that has come out in recent years. To put it simply, AMSOIL Series 2000 peoducts are exotic. AMSOIL chooses to stay on the curring edge of innovation. AMSOIL offers this technology to consumers who want the exotic, best of the best oil.

Synthetics have become more popular in the last decade. Every major manufacturer offers some version of synthetic products now. There are also many smaller companies vying for this niche market. AMSOIL wants to be separate from the other synthetic competition and always stay on top. If other copanies trun up the level of their oils, AMSOIl will keep staying ahead and always be the best.

AMSOIL has selected specific oils that could be justified to be taken to higher level of technology such as racing applications. These are the Series 2000 products. There are many applications that do not require the ultimate in synthetic technology and not everyone needs the most expensive products that AMSOIL makes, but we have them for those who want the best.

There are also selected viscosity levels that meet the requirements to be in the Series 2000 product line so that they would appeal to high-end consumers in those markets. do not expect to see Series 2000 expand across the board. There is little or no market for a high-performance oil in the 10W-40 viscosity weight.

Through extensive testing and product development, AMSOIL will continue to make Series 2000 products that are better than any oils in the industry.

Two-cycle Engine Applications and Lubrication Needs

This article appeared in AMSOIL Action News, July 2001

Two-cycle engines can be found nearly everywhere these days. They are used in dozens of applications and in a wide variety of designs for everything from work and recreation to power generation. Two-cycle engines have design differences and operate under conditions that require different oil chemistries than their four-cycle counterparts. In order to recommend a lubricant for a two-cycle engine, one needs to know how this engine operates, why it is used in place of a four-cycle engine and where and in what type of applications it is used.

What is a two-cycle engine?

Two-cycle motors deliver one power impulse for each revolution of the crankshaft.

The terms "two-cycle" and "two-stroke" are often inter-changed when speaking about two-cycle engines. These engines derive their name from the amount of directional changes that the pistons make during each power stroke. Internal combustion engines are used to produce mechanical power from the chemical energy contained in hydrocarbon fuels. The power-producing part of the motor's operating cycle starts inside the motor's cylinders with a compression process. Following this compression, the burning of the fuel-air mixture then releases the fuel's chemical energy and produces high-temperature, high-pressure combustion products. These gases then expand within each cylinder and transfer work to the piston. Thus, as the engine is operated continuously, mechanical power is produced. Each upward or downward movement of the piston is called a stroke. There are two commonly used internal combustion engine cycles: the two-stroke cycle and the four-stroke cycle.

How are two-cycle engines different from four-cycle engines?

A four-cycle engine requires four strokes of the piston (two up and two down) and two revolutions of the crankshaft to complete one combustion cycle and provide one power impulse.

The fundamental difference between two-cycle engines and four-cycle engines is in their gas exchange process, or more simply, the removal of the burned gases at the end of each expansion process and the induction of a fresh mixture for the next cycle. The two-cycle engine has an expansion, or power stroke, in each cylinder during each revolution of the crankshaft. The exhaust and the charging processes occur simultaneously as the piston moves through its lowest or bottom center position.

In a four-cycle engine, the burned gasses are first displaced by the piston during an upward stroke, and then a fresh charge enters the cylinder during the following downward stroke. This means that four-cycle engines require two complete turns of the crankshaft to make a power stroke, versus the single turn necessary in a two-cycle engine. In other words, two-cycle engines operate on 360 degrees of crankshaft rotation, whereas four-cycle engines operate on 720 degrees of crankshaft rotation.

Where are two-cycle engines used?

Two-cycle engines are inexpensive to build and operate when compared to four-cycle engines. They are lighter in weight and they can also produce a higher power-to-weight ratio. For these reasons, two-cycle engines are very useful in applications such as chainsaws, Weedeaters, outboards, lawnmowers and motorcycles, to name just a few. Two-cycle engines are also easier to start in cold temperatures. Part of this may be due to their design and the lack of an oil sump. This is a reason why these engines are also commonly used in snowmobiles and snow blowers.

Some advantages and disadvantages of two-cycle engines

Because two-cycle engines can effectively double the number of power strokes per unit time when compared to four-cycle engines, power output is increased. However, it does not increase by a factor of two. The outputs of two-cycle engines range from only 20 to 60 percent above those of equivalent-size four-cycle units. This lower than expected increase is a result of the poorer than ideal charging efficiency, or in other words, incomplete filling of the cylinder volume with fresh fuel and air. There is also a major disadvantage in this power transfer scenario. The higher frequency of combustion events in the two-cycle engine results in higher average heat transfer rates from the hot burned gases to the motor's combustion chamber walls. Higher temperatures and higher thermal stresses in the cylinder head (especially on the piston crown) result. Traditional two-cycle engines are also not highly efficient because a scavenging effect allows up to 30 percent of the unburned fuel/oil mixture into the exhaust. In addition, a portion of the exhaust gas remains in the combustion chamber during the cycle. These inefficiencies contribute to the power loss when compared to four-cycle engines and explains why two-cycle engines can achieve only up to 60 percent more power.

How are two-cycle engines lubricated?

Two-cycle motors are considered total-loss type lubricating systems. Because the crankcase is part of the intake process, it cannot act as an oil sump as is found on four-cycle engines. Lubricating traditional two-cycle engines is done by mixing the oil with the fuel. The oil is burned upon combustion of the air/fuel mixture. Direct Injection engines are different because the fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber while the oil is injected directly into the crankcase. This process is efficient because the fuel is injected after the exhaust port closes, and therefore more complete combustion of fuel occurs and more power is developed. Direct injection engines have a higher power density than traditional two-cycle engines. Because the oil is directly injected into the crankcase, less oil is necessary and lower oil consumption results (80:1 range). Direct Injection motors have higher combustion temperatures, often up to 120°F. They also require more lubricity than traditional two-cycle motors.

Which AMSOIL motor oils are recommended for two-cycle engines?

AMSOIL Synthetic 2-Cycle Injector Oil and 100:1 Pre-Mix Two-Cycle Oil

AMSOIL Synthetic 2-Cycle Injector Oil (AIO) is recommended for use in all summer and winter two-cycle injector applications and for pre-mix applications at 50:1 mix ratios. Use AMSOIL 2-Cycle Injector Oil wherever TC-W3 or API TC oils are specified in water-cooled or air-cooled motors. It is recommended for all two-cycle injector applications including outboard motors, snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATV’s and personal watercraft. It is also compatible with and recommended for two-cycle applications using catalytic converters. It is recommended for use with gasoline fuels only. AMSOIL Synthetic 100:1 Pre-Mix 2-Cycle Oil (ATC) is recommended for all water-cooled and air-cooled pre-mix applications. A mix ratio of 100:1 is recommended for normal duty service in applications such as motorcycles, outboard motors, weed eaters, lawn mowers and chain saws. Richer mix ratios of 50:1 to 80:1 are recommended for severe duty service such as racing applications and for hot operating, industrial-use motors that run for extended periods of time. AMSOIL Synthetic 100:1 Pre-Mix 2-Cycle Oil is recommended for all pre-mix applications specifying TC-W3, API TC, JASO FC and ISO EGD. It is recommended for use with gasoline fuels only and is not recommended for use in oil injection systems.

Series 2000 Synthetic 2-Cycle Racing Oil
AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil (TCR) is recommended in air- or water-cooled two-cycle motors where NMMA TC-W3, API TC or JASO FC oils are specified. It is excellent for both racing and recreational use in snowmobiles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, motorcycles and ATV’s. Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil is not recommended for use with nitro methane or alcohol fuels. It is recommended for use at a 50:1 mix ratio or as an injector oil for both racing and recreation use and for use with catalytic converters.

Motorcycle, ATV and Snowmobiles

Q. I would like to know how to get a friend to change to AMSOIL 2-Cycle Oil for his sled. His excuse is that it's too expensive. What can I do to convince him to use AMSOIL?

A. Snowmobiles are expensive machines. When a person invests thousands of dollars in a machine it only makes sense that they should invest in the best 2-cycle oil available to protect that machine. Performance benefits, including dependable starts, improved throttle response, maximum power and reduced plug fouling and carbon deposits are also reasons to use AMSOIL 2-Cycle Oil. AMSOIL is the "official two-cycle oil of the World Snowmobile Association". You can't get any better than that.

Q. Is there any concern about power valves when using AMSOIL?

A. The manufacturers have a published maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual concerning cleaning of the power valves. They all need periodic maintenance. Tests have shown that our AMSOIL products cause less build up than other oils as a rule. The use of AMSOIL Power Foam as a cleaner works well. Customers should refer to their owners’ manual, regarding cleaning procedures.

Q. Can I use AMSOIL AFF 0W-40 in my new 4-stroke snowmobile?

A. Absolutely! AMSOIL AFF 0W-40 was specifically formulated for use in small, hard working 4-stroke engines. AFF is ideal for 4-cycle snowmobiles, ATV's, personal watercraft, 4-stroke boat motors, lawn equipment etc...

Q. In two-cycle dirt bike applications, when changing from another brand of oil mixed at a 40:1 ratio to AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Oil mixed at a 50:1, would jetting of the carb be affected?

A. There is such a small difference between a 40:1 and 50:1 ratio that it is not necessary to make adjustments on most applications.

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