Hey Everyone,
My name is Daniele DeFranceschi, and I work for Federal-Mogul who makes many engine products like pistons, cams, bearings, lifters... I spacifically work in Seals and Gaskets.
I'm trying to get a feel if there is interest out their to manufacture low torque, teflon crankshaft seals for honda's, similar to the ones using in racing applications like F1, Champ cars, and even the low tech Nascar series. The idea is that by lowering the friction between the crank seals and the crank more power will go to the wheels where we want it. I'm a car junkie (That's why I belong to H-T, PreludeOnline, jeep board...) so I'm pushing to get Federal Mogul into more high performance aftermarket import applications. These teflon seals are primarily used on Heavy Duty, light truck and European anutomotive applications because of their increased life (3X) and reduced torque/Drag on the crank. All other OE's arn't willing to pay the increased cost yet. We actully already have all the tooling to make all the front and rear honda seals so cost wouldn't be very low. The cost would be around $15 for a front and $25 for a rear seal. Not much more than an OEM seal. As you know teflon is very expensive, and thus the price increase over a elastomeric seal.
It's a small upgrade, but it would be worth it if your building your engine. I can't supply dyno data, but i can get tourque test data if you guys would like and that will directly translate to the extra (saved) torque going to the wheels. You might be surprised how much drag an elastomeric seal has!

What's your opinions???



Modified by Paluce at 3:46 PM 10/21/2003

 

i don't see any reason not to. i'd buy the better one, no second thoughts w/ a price that low.

 

ok, I'll gather some data and post the differance. You guys will probably be amazed at how little friction the Teflon has over a rubber seal.

 

BY the way, seals would take about 4 weeks for the first batch to be produced.

 

sounds intresting

 

I understand these teflon seals last longer but they also wear the crank. let me know. Give me some proof. I prefer to change cranks seals often vs. one that last long and cuts the crank.

 

interesting