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.

New Cryogenic Treatment Service for Racing Components Improves Performance

This press release was released to the internet today. I wanted to add it here too, so that all our customers could see it.

New Cryogenic Treatment Service for Racing Components Improves Performance

Worcester, MA – January 8, 2009 – The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. announces a new cryogenic treatment service that is specially tailored for racing and other high performance enthusiasts. The latest developments are the result of the company’s continuing commitment to meet the needs of the competitive motorsports market.

“We believe that our new treatment profile for motor sports customers provides the greatest control and longest duration of any cryogenic treatment process available”, stated Robin Rhodes, President of the Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. As the company’s founder, he has worked closely with several race teams that have become world-record holders in their performance classes for motorcycles and modified stock cars. Others, including boat, ski mobile and kart racers, have been victorious in national, regional and local contests. “Cryogenic treatment of engines, drivetrains, and brake systems results in better performance, increased output and longer part life that helps race teams win more races”, added Rhodes.

The process of cryogenically treating auto parts has become widely adopted in professional racing circuits. Racing teams that compete in NASCAR, Formula 1 and other international racing circuits have been using this technology for years, usually behind closed doors in their very private - and pricey – professional motor shops. “Our Nitrofreeze® cryogenic treatment service modifies the metallurgical microstructure of critical racing components so that recreational racers can have the same competitive edge as the World’s leading professional race teams.”, Rhodes stated.

In practice, stock, modified or custom components are sent to the company’s processing lab in Worcester, Massachusetts, where they are subject to the proprietary Nitrofreeze® cryogenic treatment process. After treatment, the parts are returned to the racer or mechanic for any additional modifications and final assembly. Common parts for cryogenic treatment include all engine components, such as cam and crank shafts, pistons and rings, connecting rods and engine blocks. Drivetrain components, including clutches, gears and shafts, and brake rotors are also widely treated.

Cryogenic treatment of racing parts benefits the components in several ways. First, residual stresses from part fabrication are removed, greatly reducing distortion, warping and fatigue failures that are caused by crack propagation of stress lines. Second, steel components adopt a uniform grain structure, eliminating imperfections that improve thermal properties such as heat dissipation. This also reduces the coefficient of friction to produce less drag. Lastly, modifications to the microstructure improve toughness, increase part stability, and greatly enhance wear resistance. “By using our Nitrofreeze® cryogenic treatment service, racers can get increased horsepower and extend the high performance life of critical components, ensuring that they can finish the race, despite the grueling demands that race conditions create”, according to Ryan M. Taylor, Product Marketing Specialist at Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc.

More information about cryogenic treatment for auto and racing parts is available on the company’s web site at, http://www.nitrofreeze.com/services/conventional-cryogenic-treatment/motor-sports-fleet/.

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., located at 90 Ellsworth St. Worcester, MA, is dedicated to the commercial application of cryogenic technologies to serve the needs of industry, government and scientists. The firm offers a full range of cryogenic services, including cryogenic treatment, heat & freeze thermal cycling, cryogenic deflashing & deburring services, shrink fitting services, and dry ice (CO2) blast cleaning. It also offers engineering services, cryogenic lab work in support of R & D, and custom equipment design for new and unique cryogenic applications. It is a corporate sustaining member of the Cryogenic Society of America. To learn more visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com.

The Cryogenic Institute of New England Inc. was founded by Robin Rhodes and he first documented the widespread use of cryogenic treatment in motor sports applications in a paper he presented at the 23rd Heat Treat Conference of the ASM Heat Treat Society, the world’s preeminent technical body on thermal processing of metals. Both Rhodes and the company have been featured in numerous stories and technical articles about cryogenic treatment. Most recently, this has included being featured in the racing industry’s leading technical journal, Race Engine Technology, for its Nitrofreeze® cryogenic processing service.