June 10, 2025
Whether you're rebuilding a muscle car or tuning an engine, bearings might not be the first thing on your mind. However, they play a critical role. Bearings support the crankshaft, reduce friction, and maintain the oil film under intense pressure and heat.
Choosing the right bearing isn’t just about grabbing the first one that fits. You need to consider your engine type, performance goals, bearing material that fits the intended usage of the engine, and the bearing technology behind each option.
That’s why we’re highlighting the King Racing series by King Engine Bearings. King's products are trusted by performance professionals across Europe and North America. As proud distributors, Wilmink Engine Parts works closely with King to ensure every customer gets a quality product.
Behind every King Racing bearing series, there is a level of engineering that reflects years of research, racing experience, and testing. Some coatings may be better suited for your applications than others, so let’s break down three of their most iconic variants that you will encounter at King:
When you’re building for peak horsepower and hard launches, King’s XP Series with pMaxBlack™ is the top pick. Its advanced tri-metal structure and nano-scaled overlay hardening boost surface durability by 29%, withstanding loads up to 10,200 psi. Engineered for superior fatigue resistance, it’s ideal for high-RPM, high-load race applications.
Most engine damage doesn’t come from all-out failure. It comes from moments of marginal lubrication during cold starts or peak torque pulls. That’s where pMaxKote™ steps in. This nano-composite polymer coating delivers 25% more wear resistance and 8% greater fatigue tolerance—plus it’s non-sacrificial and built to withstand up to 200C°. Ideal for Circle Track, Drag, Offshore, and other steel crankshaft race applications.
Endurance racing, diesel performance, and heavy-duty builds need longevity. King’s GPC Series bearings use a silver-based tri-metal structure with a polymer coating for superior protection against oil starvation and metal-to-metal contact. Rated for 17,000 psi, they deliver smooth, extended performance under extreme load. Meant for high-compression, high-demand race and performance engines.
King Racing bearings series also include design features, like:
King’s technology isn’t just good on paper, it’s proven under the toughest conditions. When it comes to these situations, few vehicles push bearings harder than supercars and monster trucks. King Racing is familiar with both.
They supply bearings for the legendary ‘Grave Digger’, a massive purple and green monster truck known for brutal impacts and high-RPM punishment. Because of King’s HP BI-metal aluminum bearings, the vehicle can withstand intense shock loads and fatigue without a problem. Need to make sure your engine can take a beating? Ask for the HP BI-metal aluminum line, or see all bearings on our webshop.
The famous supercar brand Koenigsegg uses King bearings in its high-performance ‘Jesko’ line, which demands fast acceleration and maximum seizure resistance. Kings’ pMax Black overlay ensures the bearings maintain structural integrity under extreme temperatures. Need to make sure your bearings handle incredible speeds? Ask for the pMax Black race bearings, or shop all bearings right here in our webshop. You can also watch more on the Koenigsegg-King collaboration in the video below.
Wilmink Engine Parts sells to a great range of performance applications. Highlighted below are a few of our most popular performance bearings:
The BMW B58 (often seen in applications like the Toyota Supra GR) is meant for high loads at low RPM. This results in more stress on bearings due to higher pressure over longer crank angles. The best fit for the engine is a bearing that can withstand high bearing loads under (relative) low speed, with high torque. The GPC silver series from King is specifically designed for applications like this. With load capacity of up to 17,000 psi, these bearings should be able to face any and all challenges with the BMW B58. See the full bearing information down below:
| BMW B58 | Connecting rod bearings | Main bearings |
| External number | CR6887GPC | MB7779XPC |
| Amount in set | 12 (6 pairs) | 14 (7 pairs) |
| Engine code | B58 B30 A | B58 B30 A |
| WG number | WG2197856 |
The EJ engines from Subaru are heavily used in the tuning world, and for good reason. With high piston speeds and high cylinder pressures, these engines are popular for rally applications. With long stages, the main challenge for these engines is heat management and oil starvation. These King bearings have a pMax black overlay, resulting in better heat management and fatigue resistance. The main bearings also make use of King’s proprietary elliptical slot/hole combo that improves oil flow. See the full bearing information down below:
| Subaru EJ Engines | Connecting rod bearings | Main bearings |
| External number | CR4125XPGC | MB5382XPGC |
| Amount in set | 4 | 5 |
| Engine Code | EJ16, EJ161, EJ18, EJ20, EJ201, EJ202, EJ204, EJ205, EJ206, EJ207, EJ208, EJ22, EJ25, EJ250, EJ251, EJ253, EJ255, EJ257 | EJ16, EJ161, EJ18, EJ20, EJ201, EJ202, EJ204, EJ205, EJ206, EJ207, EJ208, EJ22, EJ25, EJ250, EJ251, EJ253, EJ255, EJ257 |
| WG number | WG1825819 | WG1832868 |
With a lower-than-average weight, the Audi turbo v10 engine delivers surprisingly high horsepower. With their iconic sound, these engines are most often found in track driving applications. Due to the high rpm loads and temperature spikes, these engines need bearings that are able to withstand pressure and tolerate hot spots. These King bearings are designed with thermal conductivity and high fatigue strength in mind. See the full bearing information down below:
| Audi / Lamborghini V10 | Connecting rod bearings | Main bearings |
| External number | CR 227XPC | MB1322XPC |
| Amount in set | 4 (2 pairs) | 2 |
| Engine code | BAR, BUJ, BVJ, BYH, CAUA, CDRA, CEUA, CEUC, CFSA, CGTA, CMPA, CNDA, CRDB, CSPA, CSPB, CTGE, CTPA, CTPB, CTYA, CWUB, CWUC, DKAA, DKAB, DKAC, DMWA. | BAR, BUJ, BVJ, BYH, CAUA, CDRA, CEUA, CEUC, CFSA, CGTA, CMPA, CNDA, CRDB, CSPA, CSPB, CTGE, CTPA, CTPB, CTYA, CWUB, CWUC, DKAA, DKAB, DKAC, DMWA. |
| WG number |
Once you have acquired your perfect bearing match, it is time for the installation. Installing bearings is a precise process that demands attention to detail from start to finish. Before you think about power, RPM, or oil pressure, you need a solid foundation. This starts with preparation.
Start by identifying and labeling each main and connecting rod bearing cap by its position. This ensures proper reinstallation and maintains original clearances. After torquing the caps to the right specifications, measure the housing bores with an inside micrometer. Check size, roundness, taper, and surface condition. For accuracy, measure bores both with and without the bearing shells.
Inspect crankshaft journals using an outside micrometer to assess size, roundness, and surface finish. Resurface or polish any undersized or damaged surfaces. Don’t forget the thrust bearing surfaces.
Clean all engine components using hot water. Scrub oil passages with a component-safe brush and dry thoroughly with compressed air.
Install each bearing half into its correct bore until a slight ‘snap’ is heard. Ensure oil holes align with engine block passages. Apply an even coat of assembly lube to bearing surfaces, excluding the seating and rear of the bearing.
Lower the crankshaft gently into the upper bearings. Install and torque main caps in sequence from center outward. Verify that the crankshaft rotates freely. Measure radial and axial endplay with a dial indicator.
Finally, install connecting rods, torque to specifications, check crankshaft rotation, and (after inspecting your engine manual) prime the oiling system to ensure pressure before startup.
With the installation done, it is time to race!
At Wilmink Engine Parts, we take King’s quality one step further with expert support and a smooth ordering experience tailored to your needs. Our team includes specialized performance experts who understand what your engine demands. We offer personalized advice to help you select the right bearings for your application, ensuring a perfect fit and maximum reliability.
Choose King Racing at Wilmink, where expert support, premium performance parts, and full delivery transparency come standard. See the full selection of more than 20.000 bearings in our webshop, or contact us at sales@wilminkgroup.com.
