Ceramic Stuff

I managed to find another 11 RWHP that the previous owner had managed to lose when he did the Jota "upgrade" to what was then a stock 3CL.
He'd somehow convinced himself that the Jota bits he bolted on had made the bike into a rip-snorter, but I reckon he actually lost horsepower in the conversion through bad tuning.

I found the following errors in his "tuning"
    a.  4C cams with A11 sprockets
    b.  main jets way too big
    c.  Witt ignition seriously mis-timed
All fairly typical mistakes by an un-skilled owner.

Even though it's running a lot better now, it's still only making 70 RWHP (I guess maybe 80 at the engine). Which is probably about right for a Jota spec 180 on Dellorto carbs.

The next thing to try is a set of Mikunis, but that little project got sidelied by spending too much time fixing up other people's bikes. I'll get back to it soon.

Cheers,
Cam
 
Cam,

you won't believe what difference a proper collector can make... My 1200cc 4/C SFC head Jota only put out something like 95HP (Engine) with 94 Nm. Changing the collector got me roughly 15HP and equal Nm. Not saying you find the same on your bike though, as I guess it has standard pistons and 80HP sounds about right with a 4/C cam then and standard head with Dell'Ortos.

Don't expect to much top end from the Mikis, but tons of torque... ;)
 
So, Back on topic!  :D

Nice stuff Red,
I like the ceramics! 
If done correctly they are fantastic aids to performance and reliability! 

There are always "Nay sayers" with anything but to be honest the "only" drawback is expense.
However these coatings are not just for fun, or to be treated like a fancy exhaust etc.
These coatings are aimed at people trying to get the last ounce of power from a racing engine, or trying to get BIG increases in power with reliability!  Or both!!
This does not come cheap!  if it's cheap you are looking for, then just bolt on a set of flat sides and a twisty exhaust thingy and chat the crap in the pub!  ;) 
In Racing, unless you are a magician, Cheap is usually the expensive option!  To do it well, to do it in top level competition, and to do it better than others, needs time ($) good quality parts ($) more time ($) and a lot of knowhow ($$$$$$$ from past experience)
And NO BULSHIT,  that only works in the pub  ;)

Ceramics are a Godsend to be honest!  especially in these old engines now being asked to produce almost modern levels of power!

Julian
 
Even though it's running a lot better now, it's still only making 70 RWHP (I guess maybe 80 at the engine). Which is probably about right for a Jota spec 180 on Dellorto carbs.
Click to expand...

Agree with Lothar- my 180 made 80 RWHP (was restricted in the breathing at the top end I reckon) and the Miks gave a bit more at the top but a decent bulge in the midrange.  What I liked most was the smooth fuelling and light pull...
 
Hi Andy
I used one in the North about 2008, be careful as something abrasive was left on the pistons, (perhaps they shot blasted them as 2 were not new) wore out the gudgeon pins (can elaborate if you wish).

The ceramic coatings were/are good but the heat dispersant applied to the underside was rubbish, This particular brand had all but washed off by the next strip down! The anti friction on the Skirt of pistons wears through pretty quickly too !

The ceramic coating on the tops of the pistons is brilliant, but there's only one of the original 3 pistons left.  :D :D  I personally love the concept but it doesnt love my bike... !

Rob

Used these guys  http://www.camcoat.u-net.com/

I havent used these guys but did speak to them back then : http://www.zircotec.com/
 
Totally agree with that Rob,

I personally specify that my engine parts do not even "Sit in the same Room" as a Sand or Grit blaster!
Am a fanatic about it here at work also!  Absolutely NO sand or grit blasting even Near Engine parts!
Makes me shiver.

Have used Zircotec and they seem to be screwed on.

Years ago  (see 30+) I used the only company then doing pistons etc, Called Heaney Industries in America,  great results but a long way to go.
Google them, they are an extremely big company though now!

Julian
 
Grit near engines eh?

I once had an engineering professor suggest to me that a little bit of fine valve grinding paste in the engine oil will assist running-in. I thought he was joking, but he was quite serious. He was a career academic who had never actually done any spannering on engines himself, or anything practical at all for that matter. That idiot was the supervisor for my engineering thesis at university. He taught me a valuable lesson - that book learning is no substitute for practical experience.

Cheers,
Cam
 
Yep Cam agreed,  Theory is fantastic and very important, but unless you test it completely it stays as "Just a Theory"  :D

Just like all this Quantum space shit they keep sprouting on TV!  Total guesswork that may or may not be absolute bollocks!  But they are all haled as Genii even when they get it all wrong. (which they do regularly) What would they do if they had to prove it for real "Before" they got paid  :D

Julian
 
Back to Ceramics again.
When I get round to doing a "Restoration" on my Ariel Square Four, Ceramics will play a very major part in the reliability of this engine!!
I need to remove (or more correctly keep away) as much heat from the Pistons, barrel and cylinder head as possible, I want to make this engine's swept volume as big as physically possible, and "Maybe" even supercharge it. So I will have some serious problems to overcome which would be practically impossible without the use of Ceramics on almost every component near the combustion chambers, cylinders and ports.
Should be a giggle though!

Julian.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top