VonK :: Retired

Just talked to Turbonetics. Asked them for tech info, spec sheet, cross section drawings and/or anything that describes just what is ceramic about their turbos. Their tech said that information is not releasable, and then immediately spooled off all the claims made on their website about 50% faster spool up, X% more thrust load, etc. etc. Eventually he admitted that the thrust bearing races were made of steel but the ***** were ceramic. So I asked: "are the ***** the only ting that's ceramic on the whole turbo?". He replied "I believe so."

The whole encounter reminded me of cryogenically treated brake rotors. BEWARE OF SNAKE OIL!!!

DrewT

Beware of snake oil !!! yeap but cyro treating steel is a proven process for certain applications

Phil Usher

Hi Von,

Some months ago when you were awaiting delivery of your car we discussed possible options for the heat problems with S4's brakes and track use.

Have you made any changes in brake setup or related cooling adjustments?

Cheers ... Phil Usher

DrSmile

All this ball bearing turbo crap is rediculous anyways. Once the turbo shaft rides on a layer of oil (read as ALL THE FREAKING TIME) the bearings don't matter anyways. The difference in spool between shifts MAY be noticable (I could never tell) but there is definitely no difference in initial spool.

Just my opinion of course.

Another Drew

What applications? just curious.

rao

Getting any meaningful specs from turbo sellers is virtually impossible - at least you tried :-]

DrewT

oh boy, there are several websites on the subject, I'll find em soon.

DrewT

Here is some info pasted from www.cryoforce.com - there are a ton of people out there with webpages doing this for all kinds of stuff but it looks like these guys are a leader.


Anything That Wears Out Can Benefit

BENEFITS Decreases abrasive wear
Decreases erosive wear
Decreases corrosive wear
Reduces distortion
Relieves stress
Improves machinability
Reduces sharpening time
Reduces materials lost during sharpening or grinding
More sharpenings/grindings before parts are replaced
Withstands higher temperatures
Allows tighter machining tolerances in metal an plastic parts
Will not damage parts
Environmentally clean process
Treats entire part, not just surface
Yields better performance with sports equipment
Smoother action and cleaner sounds from musical instruments
One-time process

APPLICATIONS Gears
Crankshafts
Aircraft parts
Molds
Lathe inserts
Engines
Bearings
Cutters
Hobs
Press dies
Drill bits
Saw blades
Shear blades
Most metal tooling
Golf clubs / *****
Aluminum bats
Musical Instruments
Fish Hooks
Tennis Racket strings
Propellers
Piano strings

http://members.aol.com/~davemedlyn/how.htm

http://www.onecryo.com/

http://cryowwwebber.gsfc.nasa.gov/A...DR/adv_ADR.html<ul><li><a href="http://www.cryoforce.com">http://www.cryoforce.com</a</li></ul>

BenM@University Audi

But, you can get turbonetic turbos ceramic COATED...for heat properties I think. A guy I know in this area has a 20v 5000 with a ceramic turbonetics turbo, it's faaaast. 450+hp

RangeR BoB

Von K:

What is your problem?

The description they give states clearly that the bearing cartridge in these turbos uses ceramic ball bearings. Then you call them up on the phone and ask them, and they tell you that they use ceramic ball bearings in the turbo. Now you are angry, and slagging Turbonetics. WHY?

Snake oil is reserved for misleading advertising, which I just don't see here.

To Dr. Smile:

Roller and ball bearings have always had a higher load bearing capacity for the same cross section with reduced friction compared to a similar plain journal bearing. There is a measurable reduction in bearing friction in ball bearing cartridges, but the contribution of friction by the bearings is small. There is more parasitic drag in the oil seals. The inertia of the rotating assembly is the key to spool up lag. But if you can reduce the rolling friction contribution 50% then so be it.