Ceramic coated bearings?

[amg_dragon]

I've searched the threads but couldn't find any info on ceramic dry film coatings on the bearings. Is this a waste or just a well kept secret? Also, the same film was available for pistons and rods. I understand the pistons get better thermal resistance but the rods? The claim was for better oil shearing from the rods but has anyone used either or both of these before (rods and bearings being coated)? Money IS an issue since I'll already be spending over $2k in parts and the economy IS crap right now. I'm not interested in a brand X piston or mfg Z wouldn't need the coating so buy them debate. I'm interested in the actual coating working and how much effect it would have. But since it's slightly relevant it is for a 6 bolt application.

Thanks!

 

[Maglin]

IF you think about it your bearings never should touch anything. That means your main bearings should never be in contact with the crank. If the crank does happen to hit the bearing surface than it HAS to be replaced. That goes for pretty much any oil film bearing. The actual oil is what is doing the job of kepting the two surfaces apart and also reducing firction. So with that in mind their is nothing much to gain cept maybe better oil retention from coated bearings. Now you can get naked bearings (ie. their is no babet layer). Those are intended for race application that will be torn apart on a regular basis.

The babet layer is what catches debris in the oil to kept it from going down the line and doing any engine damage. So think about that. Their is a lot more that is involved with the oiling system of a vehicle that I'm not going to go into. Just google engine oiling system and I'm sure you can learn at lot more than you would ever need to.

 

[amg_dragon]

I guess I should have been a little clearer on the rod and main bearings being coated. The claim is precisely what you said, better oil retention (even in oil starved situations like racing). What I'm looking for is information from anyone who's used the coatings. I understand that once the crank/rod contacts the crank that the bearing is ruined, hence my question about how effective the coating is as it may prevent that contact in a motor that will see extended periods without being run.

 

[Defiant]

Gimmick.
All the things you're being told it helps with are already handled by the additives packages in all contemporary oils.

Save the money.

 

[DSM_PWR]

Before you go knocking it, Check out what Magnus did for one of their late builds
EVO 8 MR Build "The Aluminum Falcon" - EVOTech

They Ceramic coated anything they could internaly and found great results...

People would say the same thing about cryotreatment...

"Dont knock it till you try it"

 

[Boostjunki84]

Actually, they did not say anything about coating the bearings in that thread. However, it is true that CC make's a difference. Coating the pistons, combustion chambers, valves, etc, all help to reduce temps. This is proven. But like Defiant said, coating the bearings is a gimmick. I have never seen evidence otherwise.

 

[amg_dragon]

Thanks guys. It's what my gut was telling me but it's good to hear some opinions to back it up. I thought almost doubling the price of bearings was a bit much as well.

 

[Defiant]

People would say the same thing about cryotreatment...

And I have.

 

[TiradoCC]

The way the "dry film" is intended to work, I wouldn't recommend it for bearings only for piston skirts. I actually planned on using this coating for my customers (bearings). After a long discussion with my ceramic supplier I came up with the following conclusion:

Truth of the matter is this coating will mess with clearances, unless the person applying this can guarantee that the clearances are the same as before I wouldn't recommend it. There is no way to tell that you applied the same amount of ceramic on 1 bearing as you do on another........it's just not worth it in my opinion. This is the same coating that is applied to the skirts on some of the aftermarket pistons, I would def recommend it on the skirts but not the bearings. Save your money and get some ceramic on other parts of your engine that will actually help

Carlos Tirado
TiradoCustomCoatings.

 

[jrohner]

My racecar engine was was too tight and wouldn't even make any power because my engine builder was told he did not have to allow extra clearance for coating the bearings. They were definitely wrong.

My first two engines didn't have the bearings coated, and my oil ran 350+ degrees later in the race (the 3rd engine ran even hotter). I didn't have engine issues with either of those two engines -- ran 1 for two years, and the other for 3 1/2 years (I did have to put new bearings in after 2 years though).

The third engine we went all out on -- coatings, cryo treating (what a joke), etc. That engine grenaded in only 1/2 a season.