Well? seems to be a variety of opinions about this and here's mine.
1st, the discussion of ZDDP(Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates)...is an additive that used to be in oil, it has been greatly reduced because it's hard on catalytic converters as it is burnt off in the combustion process,but it is also the sacrificial wear component of motor oil,so it's what is consumed during metal to metal contact too,like lifter base to cam lobe,rocker arm to valve stem,etc.
So, using a 1/2 bottle or just one bottle per 3000 miles of use, in my opinion is flirting with disaster.We can dillude ourselves in thinking that synthetics or ZDDP "enhanced" oils is all that is needed but the reality is that Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates are used up and ppm levels are greatly diminished as we approach oil change intervals.This is especially true of cars that are raced or run hard and often on the street. Aggressive cam profiles and stiffer valve spring rates only compound the problem.
2nd,I know allot of guys run heavier oils and claim success, but the evidence isn't there to justify it. I can only see it's benefit on maybe 10% of the builds out there. You guys running straight 30 or 20/50 are making a problem or masking over one.A stock build may have .0015-.0018 bearing clearances, running stock or unmodified oiling systems and missing the benefit of the 10/30 oil.Tight clearances like that, run cooler oil temps with the lighter oil,remember we're not talking about metal to metal friction but rather hydro-dynamic wedge and the oils ability to move between the bearing surface and back out into the oil pan.
Another problem with heavy oil is that it ruins the #1 cam bearing because of the increased load on the end of the cam on the gear that drives the cam sensor that drives the oil pump shaft.
Folks testifying for the use of heavy oil will never post thier failures, they won't tell you that they use to have 20 psi at hot idle, but began to lose it, now it's 6 psi. Nor will they tell you that they also add some Lucas additive to raise the viscosity just to maintain 10psi at idle.They are only leaving out how they forstalled the inevitable rebuild.Or poorly done rebuild.
Now...when we build an engine for racing or heavy street use we can open our clearances to .0023-.0028, so you'd think why not run heavier oil now? Well, we still have to work with the Buicks poor oil pump design,so no. It's still better to modify the front cover,meticulusly set up the oil pump clearances and move more volume with it,not more pressure.Again, heavy oil is too hard on the front cam bearing for what is diminishing returns 20/50 will yield.
So...in the end,this my experience with oil viscosity and extreme abuse as it pertains to TB engines.I've wrecked my share of bearings and I've wrecked other peoples share of bearings for that matter. I've also wiped a lobe or two and I've denied the benefit of ZDDP as well.
So, take my advice if you'd like...or not. Matters not to me