MicroBlue Racing

[turboprop]

Anyone ever used MicroBlue?

I know of several winning AHDRA, NHRA and NASCAR race teams that use MicroBlue extensively. I am in the process of putting together the Taj-Mah-Engine and looking to leverage new technology into the old Evo design. MB appears to be the real deal and after talking with the GM of a well established harley race shop today, they recommended MB. Said they would put it into their personal motors.

I called Craig at MB today. Had a good conversation about this stuff. Aside from reducing friction, MB on cylinders, pistons and rings is claimed to increase airflow, typically 10-15%, but have seen it as high as 20%. Craig also said that because of the increased airflow (from reduced ring flutter), about 4* of timing would have to be taken out and jets increased in size.

This all sounds really interesting, especially when you consider frictional losses in piston based engines.

Would like to hear from people that have first hand experience with this technology.

FYI - To have a set of pistons, rings and cylinders finished by MicroBlue Racing is about $450.00 retail.

http://microblueracing.com/index.html

[Dennis The Menace]

What kind of results did they see after 75,000 miles on the motor?  Or did they test it that long?  Sounds cool, but I wonder how long its effective given normal year-in, year-out riding conditions.

[PC_Hater]

Hmmm.
Are you sure that reducing ring flutter increases air flow?
That sounds well dodgy to me. And do the rings on Hardleys suffer from flutter that bad? The thinner the rings the better for high rpm but I thought in this day and age even the MoCo had got that about right for normal road riding.
Reducing frictional losses is good.
Now, what a racer considers to be a nice reliable motor that needs little work and what you and I consider to be a nice reliable motor that needs little work are DIFFERENT!
$450 isn't funny money - we can spend that on beer and wine and a few expensive evenings out with the S.O. if we are so inclined.
Feel free to try it and tell us how you get on. We want an update every year please! With mileage.

[turboprop]

Have either of you that responded looked at the website in any detail? They are also doing tractors and other machinery. I am not advocating for this company, just asking questions. $450 is not going to break my bank and am willing to try it.

Again, asking if anyone has any first hand knowledge of this stuff.

[Dennis The Menace]

Yes, as a matter of fact I did go thru the website.  Couldnt find anything that indicated their coating holds up on a motor/trans for 75,000 miles.  I am sceptical of any coating or process that wouldnt last at least that long in a daily rider.

I can see the benefit in a racing motor, however.  Since most of those are rebuilt completely after only a few hundred miles, or maybe a few thousand miles at most.

No first hand knowledge tho, to answer your question.  If you want to try it, I dont think you have anything to lose.  I would be interested to know how it performs long term if you do.

[TXChop]

Ran across that site over the winter. Very interested in it. I may try it this winter if i freshen up.

Wonder what Axtell thinks about this?
Doesnt R+D trans use this process or is it something else?

Keep us posted if you go for it.

[Kansas]

I about fell over when I saw this thread.  Craig LeClaire that is Micro Blue used to be my roommate back in the day.  Although we have lost touch I understand he has moved from Rockford Ill to Charlotte NC.  He is a second generation metal treater and knows his stuff plus he is an honest good guy.  If he says something works  -  it works just like he says it will.  Book it. 

[turboprop]

Chaz at Axtell gave it a strong recommendation and yes, R&D does use this in their transmissions.

During the two conversations I had with Craig he did come across as very switched on and very honest.

I think I am going to do it.

My little 106 evo made 119h/121t on it's last build before hurting itself. This time around there are a few changes. Baisley opened up the chamber some, did some work on the valve pocket and some other port work. This was done on the STD heads that Dan had already worked over. I also changed the XXX Super G w/t-jet out for a Mik48 with a t-man back on a Super D intake. Not that it wil make a huge difference, but I am also replacing the S&S oil pump with a ProFlow geroter pump.

Obviously it will not be an exact comparison. I could put the previous carb system on  and make a few dyno pulls but there is no going back with the heads.

Will take some pics and post up a dyno sheet when it is finished.