So, we all know the limits of the stock rods but i keep seeing where the pistons are fine. What i dont see is any kind of power limit on the stock pistons. I know that number all depends on the quality of tune but does anyone know an average hp where the pistons are at the limit? sorry if this has already been covered but i searched several times and found no answer.

 

300hp ish or something but I'm just guessing. What is more true is how healthy the tune is determines the health or usage out of the piston.

I would think in most cases where pistons are being replaced are due to mechanic failure and the bore is all scuffed so you have to rebore & hone to a larger size. Thus, larger pistons are required.

 

Also messing with compression ratios. Most people swap pistons to get more CR for naturally aspirated builds or less CR for turbo builds.

 

if you're not on e85 or race gas and want to go past 300 you need pistons.
that's about it

though you should probably do pistons over 300 no matter what

 

Thanks guys, i knew it would be a matter of the tune primarily, but i wanted to see if there was a particular torque or hp people have seen pistons die at. I would be shooting for 300whp max eventually. I am building a spare 1.6 for that goal but wanted to keep the budget reasonable on the rebuild.

 

I'd say 300whp on pump gas with perfec tune, no knock, big turbo. 330-350whp same setup on E85. A breathe of knock at those power levels will crack a stock piston in half. I've done it twice.

 

Every time you build a 1.6L, a kitten dies

 

Hah, good thing im a dog person! i would just like to say that im not fully building anything. I am just rebuilding the engine i have with a little less suck.

 

 

This is why you're a dog person.

 

1.6 is a better engine. It revs faster.

 

Yeah, that's probably because it has 200 mL less rotating mass.

 

Revs faster means better spool

 

https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-pe...se-help-87270/

Here's a data point. 14 psi with shitty tune.

 

1.6 master race.

1.6 is master race because it is cheap. If you spend money on it, you aren't 1.6 master race, you're just stupid. Get another 1.6 for $200 should be the only option you consider.

 

I have literally had people give me 1.6s for free.
I declined because I'm the dumbass building a 1.8.

 

i heard that the stock 1.6 would make 400hp at 9krpm on a T-25. Thats why i am sticking with the almighty 1.6.

 

Can't tell if troll.

 

He's trolling his own thread. What a trooper.

 

You have to put your big boy pants on before making a thread on this forum. Ive got no problem with that. Just to show that im not completely dumb, here is a 1.8 turbo that i did for a friend including a partial wire tuck. Cant find the finished pics but here is one from when it was getting close.