Quote:
Originally Posted by Davo53209@yahoo.com
When it comes to improving fuel economy, my overall goal has been to increase the efficiency of an engine. Recently, I came across a process known as WPC engine treatment which in summary, is micro-shot peening. Much like conventional shot peening, it makes the metal part stronger, while adding micro-dimples that act as oil reserves to the piece. This inherently makes the part slicker, whereby reducing friction.
My question to everyone is this; would increased friction add to fuel economy?
WPC - Metal Surface Treatment
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1) Kinematic viscosity of the oil dictates 'fuel economy.'
2) The engine designer chooses the lowest possible viscosity, of which the friction-modifer ( FM ) package can satisfy film strengths tough enough to prevent 'high-point' ( asperity contact ) during the highest demands within boundary lubrication regions of operation.
3) Since 1986 ( Ford Motor Company ) engine designers have gone towards roller-tappet camshafts which have no 'sliding friction' boundary lubrication requirement.
4) They've also gone to thinner, lower tension piston rings, and piston-ring metallurgical changes and selective coatings to reduce parasitic friction in the piston-ring / cylinder wall interface, which also reduce the degree of 'boundary lubrication region' for the engine.
5) Since 1993, engine designers have also adopted ' chemically accelerated vibratory finishing' ( superfinishing ) of the engines machined surfaces which have removed the asperities boundary lubrication fought to prevent contact with, while producing the 'micro-textured isotropic surface' which facilitates holding the lubricant 'plating' onto the metal surfaces.
6) So, in effect, automotive engines basically already possess all the technologies that the 'WPC Metal Treatment' is offering.
7) Today, motor oils are down to SAE 0W-8, made for 'Hybrid' engines, which have the highest brake thermal efficiencies ( BTE ) known, lowest brake specific fuel consumption ( BSFC ), and highest mpgs.
8) WPC's 'product' might have had relevance thirty-two ( 32 ) years ago. I'd look elsewhere for mpg improvement.