Whether you're rebuilding a muscle car or tuning a turbocharged engine, engine bearings might not be the first thing on your mind. Still, 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, and the bearing technology behind each option.

That’s why we’re highlighting King Racing. This US-based manufacturer is trusted in performance circles across Europe and North America. As proud distributors, Wilmink Engine Parts works closely with King to ensure every customer gets a quality product backed by technical expertise.

The Technology Behind your Favorite Bearings

Behind every King bearing 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:

pMax Black™

When you’re building for peak horsepower and hard launches, King’s XP Series with pMax Black™ is the top pick. This nano-hardened tri-metal coating boosts surface hardness by 24%, withstands up to 17,000 psi of load, and resists fatigue from high cylinder pressures and RPMs. Great for race applications that primarily focus on speed and fast launches.

pMaxKote™

Most engine damage doesn’t come from all-out failure. It comes from brief moments of oil starvation during cold starts or peak torque pulls. That’s where pMaxKote™ steps in. This polymer nano-coating adds 25% more wear resistance and 8% more fatigue tolerance without increasing thickness. Great for harsh, shock-heavy applications.

GPC Silver Series

Endurance racing, diesel performance, and heavy duty builds need more than strength—they need longevity. King’s GPC Silver series bearings use a silver-enhanced overlay and lead-free copper for ultimate thermal and mechanical load resistance. They also endure the 17,000 psi capacity, but with a smoother, long-duration performance. Great for high-compression environments.

All this is supported by King’s supporting design features that are present on all their bearings, like:

• ElliptiX™ oil slots that improve flow during high-G acceleration,
• U-Groove™ design for consistent lube spread,
• Bull’s Eye™ tolerance control for wall thickness uniformity.

Curious Clients of King

King’s technology isn’t just theoretical, it’s proven under the toughest conditions. When it comes to tough conditions, few vehicles push bearings harder than super-cars 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 truck 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 super car brand Koenigsegg uses King’s bearings in its high-performance ‘Jesko’ line, which demand fast acceleration and maximum seizure resistance. Kings’ pMax Black coating ensures the bearings maintain structural integrity under extreme temperatures. Need to make sure your bearings handle incredible speeds? Ask for the pMax Black coating, or shop all bearings right here in our webshop. You can also watch more on the Koenigsegg-King collaboration in the video below.

Five of our Favorite Bearings

Naturally, we usually don’t supply to supercars and monster trucks. We do however sell to a great range of performance applications. Here are a few of our most popular performance bearings:

Chevrolet Small Block (305-327, 350-400 CID)

These engines power both hot rods and street racers. With builds ranging from medium to extreme pressure, King’s bearings are chosen for their consistent wall thickness, crush characteristics, and oil clearance control. These bearings are available in standard or polymer coating.

Chevrolet Big Block (427–454 CID)

These large engines generate a lot of power and need bearings that can handle intense loads. King Racing bearings are built for strength and stability, even under extreme circumstances. These bearings are available in standard and flange variations.

Chrysler Small Block (318–360 CID) 

King Bearings can adapt to the conditions of older engines, making them a perfect choice for rebuilds. The bearings are available in either a standard or polymer coating.

Chrysler Big Block (440 CID)

These classic engines are often rebuilt for high performance. They need bearings that can handle tough conditions without damaging other engine parts, ensuring a steady fit. They come with a lubrication hole.

Nissan RB25DET

The RB25DET runs at high speeds and temperatures. In these cases, precision matters most. King bearings are made with tight measurements and oil control to keep the engine safe and performing. These bearings come in both standard and polymer coatings.

How to use bearings?

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 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!

Where to Buy King Bearings?

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 performance@wilminkgroup.com.