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**Hasan Shaikh** · 06-11-2013, 11:19 AM

The best quote I have so far is from Auto Talent in California.

They will buy the OEM bearings, get them WPC treated and ship them to Dubai for USD 600.

**Bruno** · 06-11-2013, 11:31 AM

i still think it is not required

**Hasan Shaikh** · 06-11-2013, 11:33 AM

Which part, the replacement of bearings or the WPC treatment?

**Bruno** · 06-11-2013, 11:40 AM

the wpc treatment

**Hasan Shaikh** · 06-11-2013, 11:46 AM

This is why I like you :)

Why not?

Also, what do you think about using Mobil 1 5W-50? The 10W-60 just does not flow, especially when cold.

**Vanne** · 06-11-2013, 07:38 PM

If I may, the treating will only reduce the space for the oil to go through. There are many, many posts on this for the s54 where the better way to go would be to increase oil pressure/flow. That said, I am sure you've read up on the literature. ; -) and as always your milage may vary.

**Hasan Shaikh** · 06-11-2013, 07:48 PM

That's the thing my friend. The WPC treatment actually increases the clearance by a bit. Its not a layer above the metal. It changes the surface of the metal by micro shot penning.

This is supposed to reduce friction and allow the surface to hold oil in the pores.

**Vanne** · 07-11-2013, 05:57 AM

That will teach me on jumping in without reading all the info. I have one question though, it increases the durability of the metal, thus will reduce wear on the bearing, but will increase wear on where the bearing sits...

**Hasan Shaikh** · 07-11-2013, 06:56 AM

That's all right mate. I really appreciate your contribution here.

I had the same concern that the hardened bearing will cause wear on the crank journals. Below is the response I got on this. Have a read on the below and let me know if it makes sense to you. Appreciate your help.

Thanks
Hasan

There is some great info here:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticl....aspx#Comments

In a nutshell, the only hardening of the bearing shell that occurs is right at the surface. The micro shot preening process that WPC uses creates a dimpling effect which I believe helps retain the oil film. Additionally, pencilgeek measured a very, very slight reduction in the shell thickness which for our engines works in our favor and increases the journal to shell clearance. It doesn't bring the clearance to the ideal range, but any bit has to help.

Keep in mind, BMW already moved to harder bearings from the initial design when they confirmed to ROHC regulations and began producing bearings with no lead.

Hardness in a bearing shell isn't necessarily a bad thing per se, what we really care about is resistance to galling.

Check the Wikipedia entry for "Babbitt" an the third paragraph is the most telling:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbitt_(metal)

Quote:
Babbitt metal is characterized by its resistance to galling. Babbitt metal is soft and easily damaged, which suggests that it might be unsuitable for a bearing surface. However, its structure is made up of small hard crystals dispersed in a softer metal, which makes it a metal matrix composite. As the bearing wears, the softer metal erodes somewhat, which creates paths for lubricant between the hard high spots that provide the actual bearing surface.

The WPC process presumably creates additional pathways for the oil at the surface.

**Hasan Shaikh** · 07-11-2013, 06:58 AM

Also, the below.

Keeping in mind that the journals should be running on oil anyway, in a properly clearanced bearing, the only time the hardness would even make a difference is in a scenario where there is no oil film, such as startups, etc. The bearing shell may have been hardened a bit, but will still be significantly softer than the crank. Galling is the real issue and that occurs when there is too much friction during metal to metal contact causing actual deposition of metal from one surface to another.

It makes sense to me (can't back this up with anything) that the dimpled surface of a treated bearing would have less absolute surface area in contact with the journal than a non-treated bearing therefore lower friction in an oil starvation condition. Obviously not enough to allow continued use, but perhaps diminishing the wear just a bit. Again, absolutely nothing to back that up with.

**Bruno** · 07-11-2013, 08:49 AM

IMHO the WPC treatment is overrated and is a typical US mentality uncalled for modification.

the V10 m5 is currently all over sharjah will still be found in sharjah for atleast another 4 years. till then this WPC this is unnecessary.

Vanne said something very valid, you will have to find a way to treat whereever the bearings sit. which also leads us to conclude that the americanos are re-inventing the wheel lol

**Hasan Shaikh** · 07-11-2013, 01:35 PM

Thanks Bruno!

I dont understand what you mean by the below. I hope you didnt mean that I should wait for the engine to blow up and get a replacement from Sharjah. :)

Originally posted by Bruno View Post

the V10 m5 is currently all over sharjah will still be found in sharjah for atleast another 4 years. till then this WPC this is unnecessary.

What Vanne has said has always been on my mind. However, what I quoted in post # 11 here also makes sense. Also, BMW has also switched to harder bearings. So, going a bit harder should not be a problem. Also, the added clearance, no matter how small, should help improve the oil flow and keep the journals safe.

Even if it has no effect on anything, USD 4 is not a big price to pay for a misfire. :)

**Bruno** · 13-11-2013, 01:56 PM

hahaha...

yes that's exactly what i meant. a v10 should be not more than 10k...

**Hasan Shaikh** · 13-11-2013, 03:01 PM

Ouch

Are you sure? Because a new VANOS HP pump alone costs 10k. I hope the currency in your post is not GBP. :)

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