cam wear in older flat tappet engines

[tirebird]

The current issue of High Performance Pontiac has interesting article about the new GL4/API SM oils and their lower levels of the anti-wear additives, phosphorous and zinc. The lower levels were required because phosphorous degrades catalytic converters. Automobile manufacturers, who warrant these converters for up to 80,000 miles, want to limit their warranty exposure. The EPA, which is also part of the political equation, wants to clean up the environment buy keeping these minerals from degrading catalytic converters.

However, according to the author, aftermarket cam manufacturers are reporting more failures because of the lower levels of these anti-wear additives in the new oil formulations.

The cam manufacturers recommend that rebuilders use special break in oils and special lifters with more oil passages to prevent premature wear.

But the oil manufacturers contend their new formulations have more than adequate additives to prevent cam and other engine wear. So what are they using and is it just as effective especially for older flat tappet high spring load engines?