We have been running some tests on coated bearings.  NASCAR, Bonneville and drag racers have increasingly been using coated bearings.  The results we have seen from dyno testing supports the trend toward using these bearings, and the oil temperatures were about 15 degrees cooler too.  I used coated bearing on my last two KB motors to help compensate for the extra expansion of the aluminum.  They worked quite well.

I have also recently tore down a race engine to "freshen it up".  This engine used Calico coated main and rod bearings.  They looked BRAND NEW! Barely a scuff mark. I almost put them back in.  My racing contacts are telling me that where they used to roll in a new set of bearings every 50 passes or so on their 1000 HP+ motors ... they are getting a full season from the coated bearings.

I am suggesting that you consider coated bearing for any high HP motor.  They are a little more expensive, but insignificant overall when you consider the benefits.  I will soon update this page with pictures showing you what they look like, and pictures from a set that ran high 9 second ETs for more than a year.

 

You can check them out at www.calicocoatings.com