If I'm going to use a liquid-air intercooler on my splayed 355, D-1 blown, LT4 headed application, are there still benefits of coating the piston tops. I know I'm coating the skirts for sure, but am unsure of the tops since its a liquid-air intercooler. Opinions?

 

Every little bit will help. Since boosted engines are all about managing combustion heat I think it's a good idea. Allows the piston to cool faster between each combustion cycle.... good for the ring-life and helps prevent detonation.

I've used Calico and Swain on piston tops.... all looked like new on teardown with no signs of chipping/peal etc..

-Mindgame

 

Intercooling has little effect on combustion chamber temps, so I am not sure why you think it's relevant. And yes, ceramic coating piston crowns is a good idea. I have used Swain with good results and service.

Rich Krause

 

Just the info. I needed. Thanks guys.

 

Slightly off topic here, but would there be any benefits in coating pistons like this in a high compression nitrous application?

 

I've used Swain numerous times and Calico once. Used Swain for my pistons in the LT build but would have been just as happy with Calico. Swain gave the promise of a quick turnaround so I sent the pistons to them (Goldcoat and DFL skirts). Calico is a bit less expensive though. Obviously can't comment on Polydyne.

On a nitrous motor I think it's well worth the extra money. One you have the cylinder pressure and any extra help you can get at the skirt/cylinder-bore interface is a plus. Also you get a cooler piston and less chance for detonation. However you put more heat into the combustion process so you'd better compensate in the timing. That's a good thing.... less timing means more torque but I think alot of people just think the thing will never detonate because of the coatings... that's just not true.

-Mindgame

 

My pistons have Polydyne coatings. Dry film lubricant on the skirts and "gold" ceramic barrier coatings on the crown. I'd have to look up my invoice when I get home to find out what I was charged, though. I don't believe it was unreasonable, since it doesn't stand out in my mind.

I think coatings are well worth the cost and effort regardless of the intended use of the engine. All types of engines can benefit; nitrous injected, supercharged, turbocharged, or as in my case, naturally aspirated.

 

Very good information guys, thank you.

I'm also curious about the average cost of piston coating, for the crowns as well as the skirts.

 

I can't remember how much I paid, somewhere around $500. I had Polydyne here in Houston coat them. The pistons were had the ceramic gold crowns, the slicks coatings for the skirts, the combustion chambers in the heads, and the exhaust runners. If you're going to coat the pistons it makes enough sense to coat the heads. I also had them do all the engine bearings.

 

Swain was in the $350 range for crowns and skirts.

Rich Krause

 

One other question on this topic... What is the typical turn around time for something like this? I'd just kind of assumed it would take around 3 weeks or so including shipping, but since some of you have already been through this, I guess you would know for sure.

Thanks again!

 

Swain took less than a week with mine.

Rich Krause