http://autoenginelube.com/

Just wondering if anyone runs a similar unit as Im thinking
of running one myself to reduce bearing wear at startup.

Sounds like a bit of a wank to me.

If you are concerned, connect a relay & switch to your ignition trigger so that it cranks without starting. That way you can build oil pressure off the starter at 250rpm not at 1000-2000rpm as per a cold startup. IMHO existing oil residue is sufficient protection during the cranking period given low rpm, no load and cold tolerances. It also costs $10 not however much that kit is, and is much simpler. If you're running an A-series the beauty is simplicity & relatively light weight.. don't mess that up.

Personally I've never bothered doing that except where an engine is started with a dry head or hasn't been run for an extremely long time. If I had a weekend-only car with a big dollar motor then I'd probably do it but taht would eb more to make myself feel good rather than actually protecting anything.

The protective coating on Bearing shells is contradictory as
it provides no protection at all so at minimal oil pressure
even at 250rpm there will be contact of metals before the
correct pressure is reached. This is what concerns me as the shell
just has an uneven coating of oil residue and 250rpm is plenty.

The noise alone at startup is usually a tell tale sign of engine wear
before full oil pressure is reached and that is not always audiable or
easily perceived as it takes a few micro seconds for this wear to occur.
The senses cant detect this wear and as many know this constant minimal
contact is what mostly wears engines the most over time.

I definitely dont want clutter in my bay but this might be worth
if regardless if the rebuild is a stocky, mild or mega hp.

Startup noise is most likely valvetrain not bottom end.
250rpm is what, 2% of the engine's available RPM?

Higher cold tolerances, low rpm, absolutely no load and the fact that even high-end cars are sold with 3-5 years warranties without these devices suggests they're a waste.

You're welcome to get one, just know that we'll all laugh at you.

I suppose your cupboards at home are filled with ab-curlers, steak knives, sham-wows and a sniggi :)e?

Spinning a bottom end by hand is a little different to 250rpm.
The fact that bearings wear at start up its a no brainer
its just not enough to worry for at least 250,000kms.
However most dedicated nostalgic enthusiasts prefer taxi miles
of 1000,000 km+ however we have to turn our engines off for
we dont use them 24/7. In Egypt some Peugeots reach 1.5million
kms this way where here dreaded falcons do 600.000-1million kms

Like I said start up noise from the bearing is not audible by
the human senses or would even make any noise!, The noise is an
indication that oil pressure is not there and is causing some wear.
The question is still out there has anyone used such a unit?

At 250 RPM we are talking about ~ 4.2 revs per second. Surely residual oil would be sufficient although not perfect.

sufficient for 200-250k engine life

I have seen them used, in old group A, wet sump race cars.
The ones I have seen were a cannister with an inline tap on the hose, the cannister had a pressure gauge. They would close the tap with the engine running and reopen it before start up. Moroso make one also.
You could easily make your own.

What would you use for the canister? A old soda cylinder?
I like the idea of it connected to an aftermarket pressure
gauge next to my ignition switch and priming switch.
edit: yes it was discussed earlier the accusump much
cheaper than overpriced morosso.
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/product/328/Accusumps

I wouldn't think you would need a lot of volume, what about a discharged 1kg fire extinguisher.