Internal engine coatings?

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Brandon Weaver

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Does anyone use those fancy coatings, like the anti-friction coatings on the sides of pistols, ceramic on piston tops/combustion chamber, oil shedding coatings, etc.?

I'm thinking I'll do some sort of ceramic/exhaust coating on my manifolds, maybe trying some different ones on my valves and pistons... Anyone have any opinion on these? Fancy hooplah to steal your money or is there some decent benefits for the money?
 
From the little searches I have made on YB coating skirts is ok but if your going to coat the tops of the pistons get them hard anodized. Unless you are going big no2, boost or cant tune a strong combo you really dont need the anodize. Skits maybe.
 
I've seen lifter valley epoxy coatings to help with oil drainback and reshaped super stocker epoxied intake runners but that's about it... Interesting topic
 
We are building a 572 right now and everything is being coated. The pistons are hard anodized coated on the ring lands and the tops. The skirts are coated but I can't remember what they are coated with. The wrist pins are also coated along with the main and rod bearings. IMHO coating is only worth the money if it's an all out motor build or if you are pushing the limits with pump gas or a power adder.
 
The return on investment won't be too good for thermal coating piston crowns,
chambers,etc. as stated above.Yes they DO what they say,but the improvement may
not be noticeable depending on the application. I'm always for improving efficiency &
power output,but there are plenty of more effective per dollar choices in line ahead of
these coatings. I would however recommend the coatings inside and out on exhaust
manifolds,drops underhood temps some,and they will look great for a long time on a
mostly fair weather machine.A customer had the HP mannys on his 440 6-pak 'cuda
done I believe around 20yrs. ago, and they still look great,just don't get them wet
when they're hot.They tend to stain or discolor if you do.
 
oldkimmer said:
...........Hey Leanna, please enlighten us..............thanks..................kim.......
Click to expand...

Just Google "dry film lubricant" and "thermal barrier" coatings. I don't do them here but am somewhat familiar with the processes. You can probably even find a How-To video on YouTube.

If you want to buy some, check out NICIndustries.com.
 
They might not do a lot on there own but with the right thermal coatings you can help you run higher CR's
 
Techline Coatings is another company that has engine coating products.
 
Thanks for digging this back up guys! The reason I asked is I was reading some of David Vizards writing and it seems like he is a HUGE believer in coatings, but it also seems sometimes for product placement...

Leanna, do you think the thermal coatings would even show an improvement on hyper pistons? Are bake-em-yerself coatings as any a professional would have? (with proper application of course)

I'm all for anything that'll protect my engine, even a little, by preventing detonation or such, but I'm a little weary of products being a scam.
 
I'm DEFINITELY not well versed in this and won't claim to be. I'm only familiar with it through a few hipo articles over the years combined with my powder supplier manufacturing some of the highest-regarded coatings in the automotive industry.

I encourage all of you to do your own research beyond message boards and get the facts both from reputable people who use it and make it, and learn from them.
 
Brandon Weaver said:
Thanks for digging this back up guys! The reason I asked is I was reading some of David Vizards writing and it seems like he is a HUGE believer in coatings, but it also seems sometimes for product placement...

Leanna, do you think the thermal coatings would even show an improvement on hyper pistons? Are bake-em-yerself coatings as any a professional would have? (with proper application of course)

I'm all for anything that'll protect my engine, even a little, by preventing detonation or such, but I'm a little weary of products being a scam.
Click to expand...


After the basic 4bbl cam exhaust dollar per return in hp gets less and less except maybe heads. All the little things do add up in dollars and hp.

But I'd spend $1000 in heads before I'd spend it in coatings
 
IMO coatings are more for reliability than power. Lower engine temps, less friction, means less wear.
Techline is a good supplier and they have a good library of info.
 
Coatings certainly do have their return on investment. It's up to the guy with the checkbook to determine the sensibility of them. I've been involved with builds that used thermal barrier, oil shedding, and lubricant film coatings. IMO, you get decent return on the thermal and oil shedding. The lubricants are more for "cheap insurance" that another part fails the engine can better survive it.
 
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