The Cerakote acts as a thermal barrier/insulator. When the engine is running, it'll protect the piston from high combustion temperatures, reduce oil temperature due to lower piston temperature (Squirters are piston crown coolers), allow that (normally) lost heat to dump into the exhaust improving turbo response, etc.....
During a cold start, the aluminum alloy piston robs an enormous amount of heat during the compression stroke. Cerakote performs the same role as an insulator allowing greater retention of heat generated during compression compared to bare aluminum.
Remember, Aluminum's thermal conductivity is five times better than cast iron.
We have done many experiments over the years at work and have determined there is a difference in cold start performance (among other benefits) with coated pistons. The Cost benefit analyses however never could justify piston face coatings from the factory.
Compression is dynamic in nature. If you slowly rotate the engine, say barring the engine over, you'll never achieve "listed" compression.
The gaps in standard rings are just fixed orifices. As piston speed increases the effects of this fixed orifice become more negligible.
Cylinder pressures determine the leak rate, so theoretically with higher boost (Queso was NA originally if we all remember) there will be more blow-by.
The same could be said about adding fuel. Any increase in power is just an increase in cylinder pressure.
Realistically, I cannot fathom, at highway operating speeds, there being any difference at all in compression. Blow-by, absolutely, but not compression.
At cranking speeds, perhaps there is a net "gain" over standard rings. Frankly, I don't know.
With both the Cerakote (be it piston crowns or the whole darn engine for that matter) and the gapless rings, as well as any other unique mods (fans, fuel system etc..) my goals have been clear from the beginning. Make the most reliable truck I can while experimenting and having fun along the way. If anything I have done creates a good natured discourse I couldn't be happier. I aim to provide ongoing feedback about the behavior, reliability, economy, etc... of Queso for as long as there is interest.
I welcome any question, anytime, regarding the project or even my sanity.
