Can a Two Stroke run at 200:1 fuel/oil Mixture?
When someone says they can run their two stroke at 200:1 the first thing that happens is that people’s eyes go wide and they say “Huh?” It happens every time the Project Two 50 team mentions they are running a 200:1 mixture. Of course there are many that are skeptical.
How can anyone possibly use such a lean fuel/oil mixture?
The folks over at MicroBlue Racing have the answer. Ten years ago founder Craig LeClaire developed a coating process that virtually eliminates metal to metal friction and wear. When you eliminate friction the need for oil becomes less important.
This process begins with superfinishing all parts before the coating is applied. This removes the peaks created during the manufacturing process, therefore changing the surface profile of the metal. It’s easiest to equate this with a rock versus a skipping stone, a smooth stone skips best.
Once the parts are superfinished, the MicroBlue coating is applied. This process occurs at the molecular level which can be verified by a Stereo Scope.
Because of this interaction, there is now no such thing as a lubricant starved condition. Which is why so little lubricant is required.
Craig say, “MicroBlue actually changes the way lubricants work. You know how slippery you feel in the shower with soft water? Soft water changes the way soap wets your skin, making you feel slippery. When a lubricant comes into contact with any MicroBlue coated surface, it does exactly the same thing-by changing the way a lubricant works on the surface.”
Initial tests of this technology on a two stroke were performed on a Ryobi leaf blower. Once the coating was applied to the cylinder, piston, rings, crank and bearings the engine was assembled, then tested.
The testing consisted of connecting the Ryobi Leaf Blower to a pickle bucket filled with fuel mixed at 200:1 Craig started the leaf blower in the barn, wired the throttle wide open and left the machine to run. This test was an attempt to seize the motor. Craig went back to the barn and amazingly the leaf blower was still running!! Total run time? 60 hours – non-stop!
The leaf blower was sent to a third party for testing. Where an additional benefit of running the lean fuel mixture was discovered, particulate emissions were completely eliminated!!
Of course this piqued the interest of the EPA. Because of the initial tests the EPA has authorized a SBIR Phase 1 Project to study and evaluate particulate reduction in MicroBlue Racing coated two stroke engines.
Next up, a test on a full sized two-stroke motocross machine. When Craig was introduced to Project Two 50, he recognized an opportunity to showcase this process to a wider audience.
After much testing, the Project Two 50 team is now running their machine at 200:1 The bike will make it’s Pro race debut at the Red Bud AMA Pro Motocross race on Saturday July 3rd.
If you’re a fan of two strokes, make sure to tune in to the first moto on Allisport.com and to watch the second moto LIVE on NBC.
http://www.microblueracing.com
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Comments
By Chris2T on June 30th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
did anyone else wince as they read the “running a 200:1 ratio” part? LOL
i think the MicroBlue coating process makes total sense. I’m just wondering if the engine runs hotter than normal, since the oil has cooling as well as lubricating properties. Regardless, i think it’s awesome that a 2 stroke once again is being used for this new technology. I mean what HASN’T the 2 stroke given us? Snowmobiles, outboard engines, jet skis, leaf blowers, chainsaws. Ideas that would have been unworkable if a 4 stroke was the only available engine. Luckily we had the 2 stroke!
By jrhockey03 on June 30th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Imagine using this on suspension! The raw fuel gives some cooling properties as well before combustion.
By 2STROKEREVOLUTION on June 30th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
There is one thing that sounds sketchy. I just need to know more about it. What does “This process occurs at the molecular level” mean?
Will this technology ever be available to us average people or just racers? How much would it cost to have our engine superfinished and coated so it can run on 200:1?
Can this coating be used on suspension, axles, chains, etc?
Since the Project Two 50 has been superfinished and coated how often does it have to be re-coated? Every race? Once a season?
By JohnNicholas on June 30th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Actually the engine runs cooler than normal with the MicroBlue coating.
Yes the coating could be used on the valve bodies of the suspension, it would need to be tested on the fork legs, so that is an unknown. This will be tested in the future
To learn more about how the coatings work, I suggest that you read the information on the MicroBlue web site. http://www.microblueracing.com
As for the cost, it has not been determined yet.
Yes it can be used on chains, which of course increases horsepower. Yes the PT50 chain is coated. There is no reason to coat an axle as nothing spins on it.
How often do things have to be coated? Once! Another benefit… they do not wear out!
And to clarify, the coatings have been tested at leaner ratios… with no problem!
By 125mx.com on July 1st, 2010 at 12:09 am
I’m hoping this is a success, as any developement into 2sts is great news, good luck with it guys and keep us posted. As a life long 2st racer I’m having trouble understanding the 200:1 deal, are all parts treated as piston to cylinder surfaces would not like that ratio ? The bearings I see less troublesome.
By MicroBlueMan on July 1st, 2010 at 9:19 am
Let me (hopefully) clarify a few things. The molecular interaction of MicroBlue and lubricants comes from the makeup of the coating compound. There are two atoms of sulphur in it. Sulphur has an atomic affinity to any hydrocarbon. When an oil comes into contact with a MB surface, it reduces the surface tension of the oil. Which is exactly why you feel so slippery in the shower with soft water. It also reduces the surface tension of soap. So here’s the kicker. Since it’s applied at room temperature, has a thickness that’s less than 1micron thick (no size change possible), and cannot chip, flake or peel, we now have something that reduces friction and wear with everything that moves. Let’s remember one thing. Every other coating that’s out there (molybdenum, Teflon, DLC’s etc.) don’t actually do anything until things touch. For example, moly coated piston skirts do nothing until they touch the cylinders. A DLC wrist pin also does nothing until the pin touches the small end of the rod, right?
Once you get your arms around this, you realize that going faster (now) is all about “square inches”. The more you have, the faster you go. Or as we joke, ” if I have more than you, I win”. Which is why when it gets serious (as in now) you won’t find a “silver surface” anywhere in the 250 (or a steel ball for that matter). When it comes to racing, we look at it this way. You’re either there to win or there for a fashion show. It you’re there to win, and you can make something better, is there any reason why you wouldn’t?
By CR125PRO on July 1st, 2010 at 9:39 am
There would be ALOT less heat because of less friction. But do you lose compression because of less fo a seal from the rings? adn why do the crank and bearings have to be coated also?
By motoman465 on July 1st, 2010 at 1:24 pm
This just totally blows me away!!! It never ceases to amaze me what solutions brilliant minds can achieve!!! You can hear the difference in the exhaust note on the videos…Project 250 is just screaming power!!! I can’t wait to see Mike on the track…Good Times!!!
By burn1986 on July 1st, 2010 at 5:10 pm
“Once you get your arms around this, you realize that going faster (now) is all about “square inches”. The more you have, the faster you go. Or as we joke, ” if I have more than you, I win”. Which is why when it gets serious (as in now) you won’t find a “silver surface” anywhere in the 250 (or a steel ball for that matter).”
?
Are you saying this help a 250 or 125 2-stroke go faster, or compete better against a 450?
By Coop on July 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 am
Yeah that is awesome. Very interesting stuff!
By GlennCMcGovern on July 2nd, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Wow! I can’t wait to see him qualify. Kudos to the team who thought of this! Brilliant! That bike sounds mean!
I dream of a fuel injected two-stroke with this coating some day. Very exciting.