Piston prices

[daren]

Just been quoted £1000 for five 0.50 oversized pistons, rings and a set of shells for my aby engine.
They tell me there are only four pistons in the country at the moment, Does anyone know of a supplier that's cheaper?

I'm hoping to get about 500bhp out of the motor so don't want a cheap and nasty set.

Many thanks Daren

[Error404]

sure you could get a set of JEs or similar quality ones for that money if you're prepared to wait a few weeks

[Acidburn]

for the under 1k you could get another bottom end that don't require pistons as stock pistons are good for 7-800bhp, its just the rods that need changing.

Is it just wear on the block that means you need new pistons?

[V6quattro]

This is a nice set.

http://www.intengineering.com/JE-815MM-Bore-22L-5CYL-p9457145-1-2.html

[Ross]

Wow, not sure what current exchange rates are for the US but that looks circa £750 plus shipping for pistons and rods! If you're looking at high HP then surely worth a look as rods will be a must.

I got a set of #2 overbore pistons new at 2 days notice from Tom Cockings (RCMR - forum sponsor for £525, that was a few years ago now though. Also Aelred was able to get them at the time for around £500.

--Edit to say, Euro rates were better at the time and they came from Germany... still £1k is a bit much I'd say if they are not a premium quality.

[terrybullwon]

Give Aelred Smith a call i am sure he can help you out

[AndyP]

Buying at set direct from JE will cost around £750, that includes pins, rings, delivery, VAT and customs charges. Although, as stated before std pistons will easily handle 500bhp.

[daren]

Is it just wear on the block that means you need new pistons?

The blocks fine had it checked, the pistons are scored around the skirts and as the motor is apart i thought i'd put new pistons in it.

Thanks for the advice, thought it was steep on the price.

[gnutz2]

If the block is fine you dont need 0.50 oversize pistons, you only neeed to re hone the block, very cheap at your local engine builders.

But if you pistons are scored you can pick up a set of second hand standard size pistons for probably under £100.

I would do as above but upgrade your rods and new rings, shells.

[twenty valve]

I'm in the exact same situation with the bottom end from my avant

The head cracked on cyl. 4 and caused a few light scores and didn't do the piston any favours. The other 4 pistons and cylinder walls are ok.

I've just bought a set of rods from Aronmatic.Don't want to buy JE, as in my experience they aren't very good. Certainly not as good as standard Audi Mahle pistons. The best option really is accralite, followed by wossner...

[turbofan]

Wery nice pistons. http://cgi.ebay.de/Audi-Wossner-Schm...#ht_1817wt_913

[JP]

@twenty valve it costs around £160 to fit a liner which would be your easiest option.

@ Darren I would need to see the pistons but depending on the level of scoring and their measured distortion you can refinish the sideskirts by superpolishing them using high pressure aquablasting with extra fine grit. Done the same to mine that have run 530hp @ 2 bar of boost for 20k miles now, using arp studs and stacked headgasket. Machined an extra accumulator groove in ringland 2 for less topring flutter. And fitted taper inlaid top rings instead if the horrible chromium coated ones that chip and they work fine with perfect compression across all 5 cylinders.

[JP]

Almost forgot £1000 gets me the most trick possible pistons that JE supply with every extra under sun.

[Acidburn]

Machined an extra accumulator groove in ringland 2 for less touring flutter. And fitted taper inlaid top rings instead if the horrible chromium coated ones that chip and they work fine with perfect compression across all 5 cylinders.

Can you explain the touring flutter please as i've never heard of it.

how much is it for a set of those rings as i'm looking to get some new rings for my engine rebuild very soon

[JP]

sorry auto correct on my mobile phone should say "topring" flutter. Basically as you get some exhaust gases bypassing the top ring they build up pressure around the second ringland. As the top rings seal by having pressure pushed behind them from above and now you also have a pressure below the ring you get a fluttering happening where it struggles to seal properly. The narrower the top ring is (like on performance pistons) the more significant the issue. By machining a groove into the second ringland you allow for a pressure drop to occur due to the larger volume. So any gases that have crept past wont effect the top ring seal as much as they would without the accumulator groove.

hth