Ceramic bearings or steel?
11-14-2011, 07:01 PM
#16
11-14-2011, 08:52 PM
#17
Tech Master
iTrader: (25)
My understanding is Ceramic bearings will last longer due to less bearing skid when the engine is aggressively accelerated. With the lighter ceramic balls they are able to keep up more with the rapidly accelerating inner race reducing bearing skid.
The lighter balls must have some positive effect on performance but how much is anyone's guess.
The lighter balls must have some positive effect on performance but how much is anyone's guess.
11-14-2011, 08:54 PM
#18
My understanding is Ceramic bearings will last longer due to less bearing skid when the engine is aggressively accelerated. With the lighter ceramic balls they are able to keep up more with the rapidly accelerating inner race reducing bearing skid.
The lighter balls must have some positive effect on performance but how much is anyone's guess.
The lighter balls must have some positive effect on performance but how much is anyone's guess.
11-14-2011, 09:06 PM
#19
My understanding is Ceramic bearings will last longer due to less bearing skid when the engine is aggressively accelerated. With the lighter ceramic balls they are able to keep up more with the rapidly accelerating inner race reducing bearing skid.
The lighter balls must have some positive effect on performance but how much is anyone's guess.
The lighter balls must have some positive effect on performance but how much is anyone's guess.
11-14-2011, 09:13 PM
#20
gotta also consider ball size n count. just cause the its same size bearing dont mean they all have the same size balls. i know the ceramics i run have smaller balls but there is more of them when compared to the factory OS ones.
Last edited by jpalessi; 11-14-2011 at 09:41 PM.
11-14-2011, 09:16 PM
#21
11-14-2011, 09:59 PM
#22
Tech Addict
Not fact, but, in my own mind I have thought ceramics were more likely to skid when new compared to steel........at least until run in a bit.
11-15-2011, 08:38 AM
#23
i dont think a lighter bearing will have less bearing skid, expecially when gravitation is in the works. the heavier the ball the more weight pushing against race= less skid. it may minimunize rpm a bit (where ceramics might come in handy) but not wear faster by no means. kinda like your tires on your 1:1 car, if you have a light car you will have less traction than a car that weighs 1000lbs more, just less power
11-15-2011, 09:04 AM
#24
i dont think a lighter bearing will have less bearing skid, expecially when gravitation is in the works. the heavier the ball the more weight pushing against race= less skid. it may minimunize rpm a bit (where ceramics might come in handy) but not wear faster by no means. kinda like your tires on your 1:1 car, if you have a light car you will have less traction than a car that weighs 1000lbs more, just less power
11-15-2011, 10:44 AM
#25
i dont understand the fascination with the balls. its all about the crank shaft
11-15-2011, 11:36 AM
#26
If you care about that extra 2-5% of power then ceramic bearings are worth it. Ceramic bearings are barely noticeable on my dyno. On the racetrack, there is a noticeable increase in engine spool up. It is noticeable visually, and audibly. I will say that my ceramic bearings are not your average bearings. We have tested for years with our custom ceramic bearings. We have found what we believe to be the proper clearances radial, and axial after pressed into the block. The ceramic balls are purchased in large quantities, and then measured to be the exact same size before the bearing is built.
I will say that I don't think any engine manufacturer is spending this much time on bearings. I will not say any names, but some of the more expensive bearings on the market are not what I consider great. Some of the engine manufacturer bearings are good, and some bad from the same manufacturer. Unfortunately it's hit, or miss. The bearings will all work, but you will know it when you get a good one. As for the low cost ceramic engine bearings out there... It's usually miss.
On another note. A good quality steel bearing will perform better than a poor quality ceramic bearing. Both bearings being of equal quality, and clearances. The ceramic bearing seems to be faster.
I will say that I don't think any engine manufacturer is spending this much time on bearings. I will not say any names, but some of the more expensive bearings on the market are not what I consider great. Some of the engine manufacturer bearings are good, and some bad from the same manufacturer. Unfortunately it's hit, or miss. The bearings will all work, but you will know it when you get a good one. As for the low cost ceramic engine bearings out there... It's usually miss.
On another note. A good quality steel bearing will perform better than a poor quality ceramic bearing. Both bearings being of equal quality, and clearances. The ceramic bearing seems to be faster.
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