Ceramic Hybrid Bearings??

[theMelvster6]

Ceramic Hybrid bearings are basically bearings that still use steel races but have ceramic balls or rollers...I'm wondering if anyone has used Ceramic bearings in the bottom end of their engine. I'm curious for a few reasons 1) Ceramic balls can be made to a truer roundness and smoothness than steel 2) ceramic can handle a lot of heat 3) they spin with a lot less friction than steel. This idea really sparked my interest and I'm wondering what folks thought about it. Does the ceramic hold up under load? Etc. Let's discuss this...

[konarider94]

con - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I think some high end race engines use them.

[snrusnak]

What bearings specifically are you talking about? I've never dug into an xb engine but I'd assume all of the "bearings" in the bottom end are actually bushings like on every typical auto engine.

[EricZ]

Our XB motors along with most HD motors use roller bearings instead of plain bearings for the crank.

[anrkizm95]

not in the engine but i run ceramic wheel bearings.

[snrusnak]

Ok thanks Eric, I wasn't aware of that. That's actually pretty cool.

[theMelvster6]

yeah...the price tag kills it. you'd be about a $1000 or better just in the ceramic bottom end bearings, but man I bet it would run smooth.