I'm having my block overbored - STi V. I've got conflicting reports about the treatment of STi bores. Nickel plated? I can't see why and no-one has given me an indication of why. If had a load of help and advice from some kind soul (Cheers, you know who youe are ).
But I would like a definitive answer on the treatment to the bores and why it is done.
Cos I'm a little sad.

Cheers

 

Well, this is what I know from bike experience, but an engine is an engine....

Basically, the bore of your (aluminium)engine needs to be HARD, or the piston rings will eat it double-quick.

The old-fashioned way was to use cast-iron liners, the modern way is to use an aluminium bore coated with a ceramic composite - same hardness, but no weighty cast-iron and, even more importantly, the bore and the piston are both materials with similar expansion rates = tighter tolerances = more efficiency, less pollution, no piston slap when cold....

The preffered compund for bikes is a silicon ceramic called Nickasil, whcih I think is what you mean.

The use in a big-bore is to bore out the block to slightly over the required size, coat with Nickasil, and then hone (very fine milling) the bore back to the exact tolerance, which also textures the surface so it holds oil better. Running-in is about 150-200 miles.

Right. I'll now go and hide in case any car tuning experts reveal uses for nickel beyond making chrome look dull.....

 

Like the high nickel content in turbo core shafts?

 

..exactly

 

Craig

Is that your car up at Lavendar Hill, if so I have just been told about the goodies you have purchased swwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttt.

Hope it goes ok for you.

 

Yes it is, doesn't it look sad?
But the bits
If the wife finds out I'm history!!

 

he he he

I think most of our wives would kill us if they found out what we spent on our cars

But Ooooohhh the bits

 

I haven't even seen them
But I dream about them

 

I have, he he he

They are Gargeous.

PS don't worry I was across the otherside of the counter and the Steve would only show me them in the box. Otherwise I would have probable done a reebok with them.

So what is it you are actually having done, stronger pistons? and?

 

Pistons, rod, crank etc etc
Oh and Link, bigger turbo etc etc
Baffled sump
And new suspension
And AP clutch
Waiting for a certain someone to be able to supply water injection etc.

And you know what - after this, bet it's slower!

This is what access was made for!!

 

I live about 500 yards from Lavender Hill. I'll have to pop up and have a peek. Sounds very serious stuff.


AllanB