Over the years, Randy Winberg has seen it all in the crankshaft business, and sometimes the best design is one that’s been around as long as crankshafts themselves.

“It seems like we’ve tried every type of drilling possible for oiling, and nothing works as well as straight-shot oiling,” the boss at Winberg Crankshafts says. “It’s gone full circle and back to basics. We’re finding out the latest isn’t always the greatest.”

Winberg didn’t offer any new products to display at PRI as most of the work at his Colorado shop is custom ordered. Rather he emphasized the current technology that is available.

“We know what works because that’s when the customers reorders it,” he says, noting that numerous engine builders have custom ordered 180-degree or flat-plane crankshafts. “We’ve never gotten a re-order, so they must not work.”

Winberg handles all the machine work, robotic heat treating and finishing in house. Custom designs are computer modeled with FEA analysis software before the billet stock is cut. The cranks are machined with the latest aerodynamically profiled counterweights and lightened as ordered by the engine builder. All Winberg cranks are nitrided, and the WINfinish polishing is optional on all cranks. WINfinish is an 8-step micro-polishing process that leaves all the surfaces with an incredibly fine finish that is less than 1Ra.

Winberg also offers forgings in popular applications.

WINfinish, which doesn’t involve any chemical etching, was originally developed to strengthen critical areas around the fillets.

“But then the counterweights came along for the ride,” adds Winberg.

The smooth finish not only helps reduce metal fatigue but also works to shed oil more effectively, decreasing oil foaming and parasitic losses.

“All the NASCAR and Pro Stock teams order it,” sums up Winberg. “That’s why we know it works.”