Ceramic coated pistons for a DD?

[dmention7]

I just recently learned that the local shop I purchased a set of forged internals from now offers ceramic coating services on their pistons for $35 each, which seems pretty reasonable based on what I've seen in the past. Does anyone have any experience with the realistic benefits of getting that work done on a daily driven MSP, given that I plan to run 12psi or so with moderate bolt-ons, a fairly conservative tune (and maybe a 28RS at some point in the future)? If it makes any difference, the motor has 120k on the clock, and I'll be getting the block bored .020" over to clean up any wear.

It seems like a fairly small price to pay if there are measurable benefits to power, longevity, and/or reliability, but I'm not looking to pay for a premium service that will only really benefit a track car.

 

[NocturnalSpeed]

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[powderider87]

Piston tops coated with CBC2, a Ceramic Barrier Coating, provides a layer of thermal protection to the piston tops. This highly polished coating greatly increases part longevity as it reduces heat transfer to pistons and reduces detonation.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

Did that on a set I had before, it was like a gold colored ceramic coating, not sure if it's the same, but once the motor blew, when I tore it down, the coating was nowhere to be seen. It had all burned off.

 

[dmention7]

That's the other thing I was kind of wondering about. It's supposed to be an incredibly thin coating so as not to affect tolerances. I know ceramics can be incredibly durable materials, but I have to wonder if 20k down the road, there's going to be anything left.

 

[dmention7]

Piston tops coated with CBC2, a Ceramic Barrier Coating, provides a layer of thermal protection to the piston tops. This highly polished coating greatly increases part longevity as it reduces heat transfer to pistons and reduces detonation.

I've read the product literature, marketing hyperbole and all, but I'm hoping to get some actual experienced opinions. I mean, yeah, it's not a whole lot of money in the grand scheme of a build, but something about it smells like the benefits may be greatly overstated.

 

[dmention7]

One more bump and then I'll assume nobody else has any more info... haha

 

[jeffmsp]

well aside from what is already posted, the other main benefit of reducing the thermal transfer to the piston would be that much the heat which would otherwise be absorbed by the piston is kept in the exhaust gases which helps spool the turbocharger faster as there is more available energy in the exhaust to drive the turbine.

seems like there are too many different companies selling different coatings to get a for sure answer as Im sure the product varies quite a bit between competitors. Best bet would be to ask someone who they performed the service for if the coating was still there after X thousand miles and if they were happy with it.

If you are hell bent on getting it done Ive heard good things about swain tec coatings.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

I'd get a piston skirt coating, but would stay away from the piston top coatings. There just isn't a coating yet that will withstand the intense heat inside the cylinder, even ceramic just burns off.