engine and drivetrain Mahle vs JE Pistons

[Stuart]

Did a search and did not find anything.  The plan is a street motor with 10:1, 40s, Shrick 292, Stahl header and MSD 6A.  Have not decided on the distributor yet.  Not a DD.  Weekend drives only.

 

So my question:  Mahle vs JE forged pistons?   

 

Thanks,

 

Stuart

[Thevilla]

Subscribed

I'm about to embark on a similar build and trying to decide myself. Street engine 9.5:1 cr, 38/38 or 40s, Schrick 292, header, IE distributor

[Chamonix72]

Nothing at all wrong with Mahle pistons. I have them in my motor which is similar to yours (300 cam, headers, Megasquirt). Supposedly they are the 10:1 Euro blah, blah pistons everyone is on about, but I have not measured the actual compression ratio.

If you were going forced induction or racing, I would say forged might be worth it. But for a street car, cast is fine.

[simonr]

I have used both . They are both very good pistons. JE will do custom stuff and do it well.

[markmac]

There are a number here more qualified than I to comment on specific details.  It isn't an accident that BmW, Porsche, AlpinA, Mercedes (? not sure about them), have been using Mahle pistons in their cars for a long (long) time.   I had to replace a nearly brand new set of Mahle race pistons in my AlpinA/Schnitzer twin cam engine that someone had "modified", my engine guy told me that in his opinion that Mahle is still the best (based on a whole bunch of criteria I don't recall now) but that some of the others were a very close 2nd.....and significantly less expensive.  CP pistons are his piston of choice and what we are putting back into my motor.  This is one of them - which is now finished.  You can't go wrong with either I don't think, Mahle, JE, CP.....they are all very good.

 

 

http://www.alpinabmw2002.com/2013/12/alpina-gr-2-engine-piston-set.html

 

 

[visionaut]

I've run Mahle piano-tops in my last 3 motors -- very happy with them.  I also wouldn't hesitate to run a custom piston from one of the aforementioned mfgrs - but I've never had the need since I could find the Mahles I wanted.  Currently running the Mahle 9.5:1s in 1mm oversize with 304 Schrick, DCOEs (36 chokes), vintage 4:2:1 headers, tii dizzy w/PerTronix, and MSD6A/MSD Blaster2, etc.  It's kinda fun 

 

Tom

[TobyB]

If a stock piston is available in the compression ratio you want, use that if it's cheaper.

 

If not, then it's time for custom.

 

t

[kbmb02]

When considering (custom forged), research 2618 vs 4032 alloy (in my opinion, not enough folks understand / specify the difference when making decisions / offering opinions). -KB

[Conserv]

Stuart,

What fuel will you run with the 10:1? Lots of us use 9.3 and 9.5 as a CR so we can use premium gas, straight from the pump, without pre-detonation concerns.

Regards,

Steve

[Stuart]

Thank you for all the feedback. Mahles come forged and cast. The cast versions I understand to be the OE pistons in a stock 02, correct? 

 

Every indication I have so far is that all are good choices.  So at this point it comes down to price and availability.  Sticking with 10:1.

 

Mahle Cast/OE - Looks like $900ish and hard to get

Mahle Forged - Not hard to find - Not sure on price

JE Forged - Available, about $650

CP Forged - Have not looked into yet

 

Any price input for Mahle & CP forged would be great.

 

Its a journey.

 

Stuart

[AustrianVespaGuy]

I'm going to put in a plug for Ireland's pistons here.  Probably not the right choice for really high-end builds, but for your average street rebuild it's really hard to beat the price.  I run them with a 284 cam (cause I like getting good passing torque down in the 3k range and rarely run the car all the way up to the 6k area) and they've been performing wonderfully, and <$500!

 

-Carl

[mac]

sent a couple of PMs to you guys.

mac.

[Thevilla]

sent a couple of PMs to you guys.mac.

Thanks Mac...pm sent

[Thevilla]

I'm going to put in a plug for Ireland's pistons here. Probably not the right choice for really high-end builds, but for your average street rebuild it's really hard to beat the price. I run them with a 284 cam (cause I like getting good passing torque down in the 3k range and rarely run the car all the way up to the 6k area) and they've been performing wonderfully, and <$500!

-Carl

I am between the 284 and 292 Schrick and welcome any input. I'm also leaning more towards a Weber 38 at this point. Any more thoughts on the IE cast pistons? My target will be 9.5:1 cr and use 93 octane pump gas. I will be using this car as a daily driver for a 30 mile round trip commute mostly at 65mph cruising with some city driving. I will be pulling the head off next weekend to inspect and perform some basic measurements.

My other 02 is basically stock with a Weber 32/36 and IE distributor. It is tuned and dialed in. I'm looking for a bit more performance with this one, but stiil want something tame and with acceptable fuel economy. Thank you for any input gentlemen!

Edited May 31, 2015 by thevilla

[kaptanoglu]

First, the disclaimer - I have never built a motor, though I did a great deal of digging as part of Sputter's build.  Sputter's motor (a tii) was built by Top End Performance.  For the build, Steve used custom JE forged pistons with a 9.8 compression.

 

Next, the thoughts:

• Depending on how many times your motor has been rebuilt, and the block decked/head shaved, you may not know exactly what compression a "9.5' piston will give you.  I asked Steve about that, and he indicated that he measures the actual head volume.
• Also, there are a number of designs that get the extra compression, and based on the research on ignition I did, some are better than others at propagating ignition.

I would buy bits from Steve again if I were to do a build.