Engines from Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Hyundai and General Motors are now using BorgWarner's newly developed 6.35mm inverted-tooth silent engine timing chains, which were designed "to reduce friction, resulting in as much as 0.3% to 0.6% improvement in fuel economy based on customer testing."
"As automakers began downsizing engines to improve fuel economy, BorgWarner recognized opportunities to help further improve engine efficiency by reducing power-wasting friction in the engine timing system," said BorgWarner Morse TEC president and general manager Joe Fadool. "With our state-of-the-art testing and simulation capabilities, BorgWarner has developed a new, smaller-pitch engine timing chain that reduces friction while delivering lower noise and improved durability for these tough engine environments."
BorgWarner's low-friction engine timing chain reportedly combines inverted tooth silent chain technology with an optimized link back shape. Compared with conventional timing chains, BorgWarner's low-friction design supposedly reduces the contact area and friction as the chain slides along the arms and guides, where most friction losses occur.
According to the company, it will also produce low-friction engine timing chains "for a variety of 0.66- to 2.0-liter gasoline engines for vehicles in Japan, China and Korea."
