Performance Coated Porsche Connecting Rod and Main Bearings for Porsche Engines

LN Engineering offers bothCalico CT-1 dry film lubricant coatings andWPC surface treatments for Genuine Porsche and OEM bearings. These advanced friction-reducing technologies enhance wear resistance, improve lubrication, and extend the service life of connecting rod and main bearings in all Porsche engines, including those used for high-performance street and track applications.

TheCalico CT-1 coating provides a dry film lubricant layer engineered to reduce friction and abrasive wear, delivering protection under boundary lubrication conditions. TheWPC treatment, by contrast, is not a coating but a micro-shot-peening process that modifies the metal surface itself. It creates a denser, stronger surface texture that improves oil retention and reduces friction without adding measurable thickness to the part. Combined, these treatments provide an exceptional balance of reduced friction, increased load capacity, and enhanced bearing durability.

Benefits of WPC and Calico Coated Bearings

Whether used individually or together, Calico coatings and WPC treatments deliver tangible benefits for Porsche engines that demand maximum reliability and performance:

• Reduced friction: Calico’s dry film coating provides sacrificial lubrication, while WPC creates a micro‐dimpled surface that improves oil film stability and minimizes metal-to-metal contact.
• Enhanced strength: WPC treatment increases the fatigue strength of the bearing surface by introducing beneficial compressive stress and refining the metal’s crystalline structure.
• Improved durability: Both treatments resist scuffing, galling, and seizure under extreme loads and temperatures, extending component life in demanding environments.
• Lower operating temperatures: Reduced friction results in lower oil and bearing surface temperatures for improved long-term performance and consistency.

LN Engineering recommends coated and/or WPC-treated main and connecting rod bearings for every Porsche engine rebuild. These treatments improve lubrication, reduce wear, and extend bearing life—making them ideal for engines that see both street and competition use.

How long does Calico’s CT-1 coating last?

Calico’s CT-1 dry film lubricant is designed to be sacrificial in nature—it will gradually wear during normal operation. This is beneficial because the coating absorbs frictional contact and wear instead of the underlying bearing material. This additional layer of protection is especially valuable during startup, where oil pressure may not yet have fully developed.

About WPC Treatment

WPC treatment is a proprietary surface-enhancement process developed in Japan that uses ultra-fine metallic media accelerated at high velocity to impact the surface of a part. This process permanently alters the surface metallurgy without adding thickness or changing the part’s dimensions.

The result is a metal surface with improved density, strength, and microscopic oil-retaining dimples that promote superior lubrication. WPC-treated bearings exhibit lower friction, reduced operating temperatures, and increased fatigue strength, making them particularly well-suited for high-RPM or endurance racing engines where oil film integrity is critical.

Because WPC is not a coating, it cannot flake, peel, or wear off like a traditional surface layer. The treatment becomes an integral part of the metal itself, enhancing both performance and longevity of the bearing surface.

Do I need to adjust running clearances when using coated or treated bearings?

The CT-1 coating applied by Calico adds approximately 0.00025″ thickness per side (0.0005″ on diameter). Since the WPC process does not add any measurable thickness, it does not alter bearing dimensions. For most street applications, adjustments for coating thickness are minimal, but for track or high-performance engines, slightly increased running clearances may be beneficial to promote greater oil flow for cooling and lubrication.

For Porsche Boxster, Cayman, and 911 models with M96 or M97 engines, LN Engineering recommends polishing crankshaft journals and resizing the big-end housing bores of K1 or Carrillo connecting rods to LN specifications. This ensures that final bearing clearances fall within the optimal range for both performance and longevity. Always verify final clearances during assembly.

About Calico Coatings

Calico Coatings was founded by racers to solve real-world problems of friction, wear, and heat in high-performance engines. Their CT-1 dry film lubricant is engineered to perform under extreme pressure and temperature, providing consistent, reliable performance across automotive, aerospace, and defense applications. With decades of experience and in-house research and development, Calico continues to set the standard for precision-applied performance coatings.

Mahle Clevite 77 Tri-Metal Coated Porsche Connecting Rod Bearings

Clevite rod bearings are engineered for durability, load capacity, and resistance to wear. Their tri-metal construction—featuring a copper-lead alloy layer, precision steel backing, and electroplated white metal (babbitt) surface—provides excellent strength and conformability under extreme conditions. These bearings are proven in motorsport and professional racing environments where reliability and performance are paramount.

• Increased durability: Tri-metal design withstands high stress and temperature while maintaining strength and structural integrity.
• Reduced engine wear: Advanced metallurgy minimizes friction and protects crankshaft surfaces from scoring and micro-welding.
• Improved performance: Maintains oil film stability for consistent lubrication and efficiency under load.

Mahle Clevite 77 TriMetal engine bearings have long been the standard for professional race engine builders. With the addition of dry film lubricant coatings, they provide increased protection, reduced drag, and improved service life for both air-cooled and water-cooled Porsche Mezger engines.