stock 1g piston limits

[B33FST3W]

So I'm rebuilding my engine and I want to know if I should go with forged pistons.

Goal HP: 400-500whp

Stuff I'm already planing is:
arp hardware (rod bolts, head bolts, main bolts)
clevite bearings
big 1g rods
felpro gaskets
ported 2g exhaust mani
new oil pump
new water pump
BSEK

If there is anything I am leaving out, let me know.

If I do need to go with forged pistons, would Mahle pistons be good (I like them because they are so light, and lightweight=faster rev=more fun )

Thanks for any help.

-Stew

 

[Vtec_Killer]

I'll start off by saying Mahle are great pistons. But you could save some money and go with the 2g 8.5:1 pistons. ALot of people have them and are making great numbers with them.

 

[BISHILVR]

If you want to go to 500 hp when you will definately want forged pistons. Mahle piston is a well known brand, alot of people have used wiseco or others also. The forged pistons will give you a nice cushion for mistakes, and a few of them have deeper valve reliefs in them to reduce chances of valve damage from valve timing error.

 

[nightspeed87]

2g pistons are a waste of money if you end up paying like 120 in maching the rods to make the wrist pin fit. Trust me Ive been there, done that...
It makes off boost feel stronger and the car appears torquier but your knock threshhold will definitly be lower. Also another problem is that your 1g timing maps will be too harsh to run even anything over 13lbs of boost with those pistons. Youd have to have control of your timing maps as well to run these successfully. Link would be best although I went the keydiver chipped eprom route. Up to you, If I did it over i wouldve gotten like some wisecos 8:3.1s or something.

 

[B33FST3W]

so if I go with the mahle pistons, do I need to have the rods machined to get them to work? Or do I need to get them to make me a custom piston that can work the the stock pins? Also, do I need to have the rods machined to work the the ARP bolts?

Thanks,

-Stew

 

[BISHILVR]

If you order pistons to fit whatever year engine your rods came from then you would'nt have to machine the rods to fit. Pistons come in different compression ratio's also, decide what you want for compression and order that ratio. The rods will have to have the big ends honed to use the arp rod bolts, take the rods and bolts to the machine shop (the best one that you know of) and let them install the bolts in the rods and then hone the big ends.

 

[Bmxr152]

I put the wiseco 8.3.1 standard bore pistons in and i still had to reduce timing with my DSM link because of knock, athough ive had no problems with them and you will not have to machine the rods if you choose them for your application.