The Fastest Chevy 292 Straight 6 in the United States

Since our inception in 2002, we have cryo treated auto parts for our recreational customers. Many of our customers need their engines and transmissions to withstand the strains of more horsepower and torque. Our customers, who cryo treat their auto parts range from weekend racers to Nascar teams. In recent years, we have seen many customers use cryogenic treatment on components for drag racing vehicles.

One of our customers, Leo, has used cryogenic treatment on many of the auto parts in his 1954 Studebaker. Leo has had his entire Chevy 292 Straight 6 engine cryo treated just a few years ago. Since then he has raced two seasons without issue. He has the fastest Chevy 292 Straight 6 engine in the entire United States thanks to the use of a turbocharger; which allows his Studebaker to make over 1,000 horsepower. Today, we continue to treat performance auto parts for Leo and his Studebaker.

Our drag racing customers have been able to realize the full potential of cryogenic treatment. Cryogenic treatment allows drag racing engines to deal with the extra stresses and heat related to higher levels of horsepower and torque. Three transformations will occur in cryo treated auto parts. First, cryogenic treatment will promote residual stress relief in metal auto parts. Any stresses created from casting, forging, or machining will be relieved, allowing the metal to gain higher levels of endurance. Second, cryogenic treatment will create a more uniform molecular structure within the metal that is treated. This will remove any imperfections or voids from the metal that could eventually cause part failure. Third, in steel engine parts a transformation will occur named the precipitation of eta-carbides. This will increase the auto part’s level of wear resistance. As a result, parts subject to movement will last significantly longer. Another additional benefit is that cryo treated parts will have better thermal properties. This means that the parts will dissipate heat better, which will reduce failures caused by heat.

For more information about cryogenic treatment for racing applications take a look at our cryogenic treatment for racing page.

Most importantly, I wanted to share a video of Leo’s Studebaker. This video captures his vehicle with its cryo treated engine completing a quarter mile in less than ten seconds.

How To Keep That Crankshaft From Breaking, Period

This year we cryo treated many crankshafts to help our customers. These customers had recently purchased crankshafts to help assure that they would not fail like their original ones did. After seeing so many crankshafts, it makes you wonder why they fail. After a little research, it became apparent why they fail. The two main reasons can be found below.

1. The Wrong Crankshaft: A stock crankshaft is made for a car that is left in its stock state. When a racer decides to add more torque and horsepower to their application, they put more stress on the stock crankshaft. Some stock crankshafts can handle some added power, but most cannot. There are many ways to solve this problem. One is to purchase a stronger crankshaft that is made to deal with the extra stress of higher horsepower and torque. Another is to take the stock or aftermarket crankshaft and cryo treat it to remove residual internal stresses that can contribute to crank failure. Other alternatives include the application of surface coatings.
   
2. Flawed Vibration Dampers: Stock dampers tend to have moving parts. For example, some crankshaft dampers have hydraulic oil in them. As the crankshaft rotates the fluid in the damper causes inertia. The end result is more stress on the crankshaft, which in time will lead to crank failure. Many aftermarket crankshaft manufacturers have found that lighter and smaller vibration dampers are better for racing applications. A small solid piece of rubber as a vibration damper is much better than one filled with hydraulic oil, because it will not cause inertia.

The bottom line is if you are going to add a ton of power to your engine, then you should expect a failure of your original stock crankshaft at some point. The way to ensure that a failure does not happen is to purchase a stronger crank or have your OEM or aftermarket crankshaft cryogenically treated. At the same time, if you are increasing power you should look for an aftermarket vibration damper that does not cause extra stress on the crankshaft. For more information about cryogenic treatment for racing components, take a look at http://www.nitrofreeze.com/racing.html.