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3L Pistons - Can U Recommend?
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:46 pm
by sfyamr1
Well, it's time for a rebuild! A swap, actually. I've located a clean 3L to put into my GTV6, and although a lot of re-build work has already been performed on it, the pistons are suspect, so I need to replace them while it's out of the car.
I already have S cams, filter, CSC exhaust, MSD E-coil, etc., so I want to drop higher comp pistons in. Nothing crazy, just a little boost to take better advantage of the other upgrades. I would use 10:1 S pistons,which would be perfect, but apparently they have slightly different wristpin offset than the stock 3L and won't work.
Can anyone recommend great aftermarket pistons? Where you obtained them? How reliable / easy to work with they are? How much they cost?
My first thought is to look to Mahle, JE or Wiseco, but any suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks,
Douglas
LA, CA
'84 GTV6
Re: 3L Pistons - Can U Recommend?
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:52 am
by Hamishm00
sfyamr1 wrote:Well, it's time for a rebuild! A swap, actually. I've located a clean 3L to put into my GTV6, and although a lot of re-build work has already been performed on it, the pistons are suspect, so I need to replace them while it's out of the car.
I already have S cams, filter, CSC exhaust, MSD E-coil, etc., so I want to drop higher comp pistons in. Nothing crazy, just a little boost to take better advantage of the other upgrades. I would use 10:1 S pistons,which would be perfect, but apparently they have slightly different wristpin offset than the stock 3L and won't work.
Can anyone recommend great aftermarket pistons? Where you obtained them? How reliable / easy to work with they are? How much they cost?
My first thought is to look to Mahle, JE or Wiseco, but any suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks,
Douglas
LA, CA
'84 GTV6
Howzit.
My 3.76 engine is getting JE forged pistons (102.4mm bore though). Running 11:1 compression (realistic max for our fuel here).
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:05 pm
by twinspark6
I'm actually thinking of using JE's also. Who would be the best person to buy them from?
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:19 am
by Hamishm00
twinspark6 wrote:I'm actually thinking of using JE's also. Who would be the best person to buy them from?
Since you're in the states, perhaps
www.jepistons.com
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:42 pm
by twinspark6
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:19 pm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since you're in the states, perhaps
www.jepistons.com
I'll call them. Sometimes certain companies will not sell to individuals. Just dealers or a shop.
J&E
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 11:30 pm
by Zamani
Get J&E from Paulspruell.com . Get it with the Total Seal rings.
I changed the oil in May (Castrol Syntec 5w50) went to Buttonwillow raceway (close to Bakersfield) for a weekend event and since then, almost no oil consumption.
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:13 am
by Hamishm00
Yeah, will also be running total seal rings with the JE jobs.
The JE pistons are actually chevy v8 pistons that we picked up cheap (they probably did a few laps, when one of the 8 pistons blew up, and they replaced the whole set (ie 7 good pistons remaining) that have been remachined for the alfa valves and the 11:1 compression.
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 11:24 pm
by zambon
Hammish
I just looked on ebay and it seems used forged v8 pistons are dirt cheap here in the US. Does anyone know which pistons could be machined for use in 12v V6 Alfas? I am guessing the 3.76l engine used pistons from a small block V8. Was it a 4.6l, 5.0l, or a 5.7l? What did you use for liners?
I want to get some non interference pistons like the SuperVerde, so I doubt this would be an option for me. That said, I would still like to find out
Thanks
James
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 11:35 pm
by zambon
My uneducated guess is the 5 liter
.
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:17 am
by Zamani
Do you think it is worth the time and effort for to machine down pistons? Unless you need are doing a big bore conversion and know exactly what to do I suggest you just get something which has been tried and tested. Get the J&Es from Paul Spruell, it's worth it. Or ask Greg for 3.0 specs for Venolias.
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:22 am
by zambon
I will buy somthing that has been tested. I would like to get some pistons like greg's father, in fact.
I am just interested in any possibility of using cheap easy to get stuff to make our cars go. This inquiry is an academic exercise because it does not fit my application well.
Do you know if paul spruell can get low comp pistons? I didnt see any on his site.
I could just call, I guess
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:55 am
by Micke
Hamish,
which sleeves are you using witht the pistons?
I guess they are 350 cid? Pistons are dead cheap but sleeves are more difficult to find.
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:38 am
by Hamishm00
Micke wrote:Hamish,
which sleeves are you using witht the pistons?
I guess they are 350 cid? Pistons are dead cheap but sleeves are more difficult to find.
Volvo truck liners 102.4mm bore. Not sure exactly what the specs are, better ask barry!
the pistons were from chevy v8 racers, as I said - cutouts were machined for the multivalve v6 head.
That's pretty much all I know about what's going on in Barry's laboratory.
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:51 pm
by twinspark6
Pistons for american cars are very cheap. Let me give you guys an example. I bought forged pistons 4.030 for my v6 gm I used trw pistons. Good for 600 hp and cost me $300 a set. I was thinking of using srp's which are cheaper than JE but are made by JE. They were $385 a set but are only good for about 15psi of boost. Anything higher than that and they crack. I even Inquired with CP piston and was quoted about $600. Getting the parts made in the US is really cheap. Ross and other company's would do them for $500 to $600. Has anyone inquired with Eagle to make rods for the alfa engine? Here are some pics of srp's and JE's. NOTE- both pistons are forged. sorry not alfa specific but it's regarding the manufacturer. JE's are GOOD.
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:01 am
by junglejustice
Got a job card open with Ross on about 4 varying sizes (1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and big-bore V6 pistons...) They cost a GREAT deal more for a single run-one set job of a custom piston. (try 200 to 250 dollars per piston by the time you ship to South Africa...)
Multiple sets of a custom piston bring the prices down some. (Maybe 130-150 USD per piston...) That's what I have been doing for the past year...
A single set of an EXISTING piston gets even cheaper... (One lucky set that we needed, fit an existing forging they had and the price came down to something like 130 dollars per piston)
Multiple sets of an existing piston are the MOST economical (but you're still looking at 100 dollars plus per piston including wrist-pin, rings, retainers etc...)
For the guy in SA; Sorry. Import duties adds 40% to 100% if you get taxed....
Same pricing mind-set holds true with connecting rods... (Again here; I have multiple jobs open with Don Pauter on the Pauter rods...) I have also purchased from Carrillo, but not direct. Through Spruell...