I'm rebuilding my engine (1.8 with 167KMiles), the head gasket blew due to a slow coolant leak in the radiator and I ended up with a bit of water in cyl 3.

Looking for piston rings, I ended up buying pistons with rings because they were cheaper than just the rings (isn't ebay wonderful..).
I was planning to re-use the stock pistons since they shgould be good enough for ~300HP and I'm not planing on making more than that.
I did buy some forged rods (there's a thread about these, $225 inlcuding ARP bolts).

The pistons I got with the rings are marked ACL, the question is, should I install the ACL pistons or the stock pistons (they're in good shape)?

I'm currently runing a GT2554R @ 13 PSI, FM manifold, 2.5" down pipe and catback, big CXRacing IC, MS1, 460cc injectors.
I got a 2-row radiator to replace the laking one and also found a 6-speed at a reasonable price (I'm on the 2nd 5-speed).
With all the upgrades, I might go with a bigger turbo, 2560 or bigger.

 

Mind posting some pics or some info on where these ACL Pistons came from?

-Sam

 

Got them on ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...m=190590799447).
$36 for 4 pistons, 4 sets of rings, 4 wrist pins and 4 sets of c-clips, can't beat that price..

 

There may be a reason they are at that price mark. I would personally not risk putting them in. Taking into consideration the damage they can do to the cylinder walls and head when they decide to blow up, they wouldn't touch my engine.

-Sam

 

Lol @ "can't beat the price." They are some generic OEM replacement **** cast piston. Sure they may be OK, bit why bother all that work without getting a piston you know will hold up. My supertech pistons were under $300 for a set of 4. With pins and rings.

 

Seriously? $36 for pistons and rings. that's cheaper than a set of rotors. Does that make any sense to you?

 

The valve cut outs aren't even machined. R U Serious?!

 

The 13th chromosome is strong in this one.

 

To answer your original question. Use your stockers. And I would have rather bought 36$ rings cause you know they're good at least. My sealed power rings were more than that IIRC.

 

The "GL" on the top must mean Good Luck.

 

You bought 'em - hell, throw them in, boost it, then give us a range report - because them babies are gonna blow up, be sure to post pics/video. On the up side, they were only $36 so you can get another set and do it all over again!

Seriously - 59 posts on MT and you thought these would be OK?

 

Where did you get yours?

 

Under $300 would be a pretty crazy low price if the Supertechs were new. I paid $380 shipped from Adam at No Limit Motorsports and that was the mt.net "bro price" at the time.

 

Would these be just as bad as anything off ebay? I'm looking for lower compression OEM pistons for a budget build.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1808976

 

Normal people cannot buy supertechs for under 300.

 

Hehe... uh, yeah I made a boo boo. Under "400" not 300. Don't know what I was smoking when I posted that. I think I was thinking "under 400" and thinking of the number with was $360-$380 or something and then wrote 300 instead of 400.