Forged or Cast Pistons - What's the verdict?

[dswalterwi at gmail.com (Don Walter)]

Ron you are right.  Several reasons that I am looking at Forged are:
Listed in the order of importance:
Price - WiseCo's Forged pistons can be had for less than Cast. 
Cheapest I found was Adirondack at $479 and that was after alot of
haggling.
Oil Scraper - Oil ring is 2.8mm vs the skinny 2mm on a 2L 16V (the
1.8L is 3mm) and a higher tension scapper
Weight - WiseCo's weigh only 272 grams (377 with pin and clips)
Coated - Moly coated and helps maintain tolerances.

I did consider going with Total Seal gapless rings but heard nothing
good about them.  Everyone I talked to that used them had some kind of
problems.  TT didn't have any thing good to say either and said they
had heard of or had bad experiences.  So I'm just going with the rings
the pistons come with.

Thanks for your valuable input.


On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 08:28:03 -0700 (PDT), Ron Pieper <rapieper@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Don:
> 
> When is the last time you have heard of a cast piston failing in a NA VW street engine?  Or any VW
> engine?  Or producing less horsepower than a forged piston in a like-for-like comparison?
> 
> My point is that cast pistons are perfectly suited for your intended use.  If they are to be found
> cheaper, go for it.  If there are *no* downsides to a forged piston and the price is comparable,
> then I'd be comfortable with those too.
> 
> I'd also find a way to use no-gap rings if possible.
> 
> JMO
> 
> Ron
> 
> --- Don Walter <dswalterwi@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > So far No one has answered the question but you have managed to evade
> 
> 
> > it.  Please let's talk about the subject.
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 11:58:54 -0700 (PDT), Anson Clement
> > <ansonivan@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > Have you put any thought into building an ABF? If you need to buy pistons
> > > anyway you might as well have JE make up a set of ABF spec pieces, pick up
> > > an ABA block, and build a real monster.
> > >
> > > Have a look at Shannon Fenton's site for more info on the motor.
> > >
> > > I just can't bear the thought of buying new pistons and not going this
> > > route.
> > >
> > > Anson
> > >
> > > Don Walter <dswalterwi@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Had my 2L 16V block inspected by the machine shop. The cylinder walls
> > > are good and only have .001 taper but my pistons are worn beyond what
> > > spec allows. They are worn .004" and the spec only allows around
> > > .0028"
> > >
> > > So now comes the choice Forged or Cast (stock). Both are in the same
> > > price range so that is not an issue. And I will most likely be going
> > > with 83mm over sized pistons. Mainly because the machine shop wants
> > > to straighten out the cylinders instead of just putting new stock
> > > sized pistons.
> > >
> > > Public talk seems to favor WiseCo or JE pistons. Both are forged
> > > type. WiseCo seems to be regarded as a better piston and actually
> > > costs less. I talked to the manufacturer of WiseCo and they reassured
> > > me that the type of problems/noise were eleiminated by newer
> > > technology capabilities. My machinst favored forged pistons as well
> > > and said that the tolerances for a street machine would be tigher that
> > > a race engine which allowed the extra slop for expansion that caused
> > > the noisey slap heard on cold engines.
> > >
> > > So has anyone actually used forged pistons and what has been your
> > > experience? Any other good suggestions?
> > >
> > > --
> > > Don Walter - Waukesha, WI
> > > 1986 1.8 16V Black Scirocco
> > > 1986 2L 16V Toronado Red Scirocco (under repair)
> > > 1988 1.8 16V Toronado Red Scirocco (sold on 3/29/04)
> > > 1984 1.8 8V Pewter Scirocco (sold years ago)
> > > 1971 Karman Ghia (sold)
> > > 1969 Karman Ghia (sold)
> > > 1969 Beetle (sold)
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Scirocco-l mailing list
> > > Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > > http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> > >
> > >
> > > ________________________________
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> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Don Walter - Waukesha, WI
> > 1986 1.8 16V Black Scirocco
> > 1986 2L 16V Toronado Red Scirocco (under repair)
> > 1988 1.8 16V Toronado Red Scirocco (sold on 3/29/04)
> > 1984 1.8 8V Pewter Scirocco (sold years ago)
> > 1971 Karman Ghia (sold)
> > 1969 Karman Ghia (sold)
> > 1969 Beetle (sold)
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Scirocco-l mailing list
> > Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> >
> 
> 
> =====
> Cheapass Ron
> "Victor Jr." - '81 Scirocco S 7SM
> 2.0L 16V w/ Megasquirt, Quaifed GL 4-speed
> It's Alive!!!
> 
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-- 
Don Walter - Waukesha, WI
1986 1.8 16V Black Scirocco
1986 2L 16V Toronado Red Scirocco (under repair)
1988 1.8 16V Toronado Red Scirocco (sold on 3/29/04)
1984 1.8 8V Pewter Scirocco (sold years ago)
1971 Karman Ghia (sold)
1969 Karman Ghia (sold)
1969 Beetle (sold)