|
COATING
BENEFITS
Here are some of the
typical questions we hear every day. We'll try to answer them.
- What are the benefits of coating?
- Why should I use them?
- Do I really need them or is it only for the top teams
that are trying to get every little bit of performance regardless of
cost?
Coatings do the following
(Depending on the type used)
They Provide:
-
Increased
H.P. and Torque
-
Increased
lubrication protection
-
Reduce
friction
-
Reduce
part temperature
-
Increase
combustion chamber efficiency
-
Reduce
detonation
-
Oxide
fuel more efficiently
-
Shed
carbon
-
Keep
heat in the combustion chamber and exhaust system
-
Disperse
heat from intake manifolds, cylinder heads, oil pans, brake
components, wheels, alternators and carburetors
-
Reduce
thermal transfer into intake manifolds, heads, brakes
-
Reduce
corrosion and chemical damage to parts
-
Increase
port and exhaust velocity
-
Extend
part life
-
And
much more!!!
What About
Clearances?
The dry film lubricants will burnish until they are
no longer visible. They are applied at thickness ranging from .0005 to
.0015. However, before assembly the coating may be burnished back to less
than .0002 with gentle buffing using " Scotchbright" or similar
material. NO CHANGES need to be made in clearances due to the use of these
coatings. In many instances because of the reduced part temperature and
increased lubrication tighter clearances may be run.
What About
Machining/Balancing?
All machine work should be done first!
What Tuning Changes
Will Be Necessary, If Any?
The changes necessary will vary
depending on engine design and the number and type of parts coated. In
general coating the combustion chamber surfaces will allow you to run less
initial timing with no loss of power (usually a gain will occur). Fuel
consumption may be reduced due to the more efficient oxidation that occurs
with the coated parts. You should be able to run smaller jet sizes.
Obviously no specific recommendations can be made since every engine
combination will be different.
Sound
beneficial to you?
Why should you use them? Well, look at the
above list. Is there anything there you don’t need or want? When you
consider the cost of parts, anything that can increase the life of those
parts is of interest. Even if you do not intend to race, the benefits are
obvious. If you are racing, one thing you can be sure of, the car ahead of
you is using this technology. If you want to stay competitive you must use
every bit of help you can get.
The loss of
effectiveness, reduction in part life and deteriorating appearance due to
corrosion/chemical damage is of real concern. Loosing a well matched/tuned
header to rust is not only expensive, but also frustrating. A good
aluminum manifold can become junk if the water inlet area corrodes
excessively. Keeping components clean and attractive is of concern when
promoting your vehicle or the parts you manufacture to potential sponsors
or customers. Thermal Tech
offers a variety of
protective coatings that also enhance the appearance of a part. Many of
these coatings will have additional benefits such as Thermal Barrier or
Thermal Dispersants capabilities.
|
