[VB] Piston/Liner quality? (was Re: 1600 sp …)

[John Anderson]

This brings up something related.  Any current informed (more than rumor) opinions here on the quality of various piston and liner sets.  Back in the day I would have always paid for remaining German over the ghastly quality of SA Mahle or KS.  Now the same (well maybe or maybe not improved) SA Mahle (which may or may not have Chinese liners made at the same plant as the Chinese AA) is considered gold compared to the AA or other branded Chinese sets.  I want to know if it's true, because more than double the $$ for something made south of the border vs something made in China isn't in my mind really worth it unless someone knows convincingly that it is.  I'll take my chances with Chinese for the money unless someone really knows different.
 
I know the initial gripes 8-10 years ago with the AA were that they were not well seasoned and changed (for the worse, going out of round) over time.  But does anyone have an opinion today if a set that measures nice and round, and within barrel to piston spec will stay that way any worse, same, or better than the Mahle that goes twice as much?
 
Enquiring minds (who are about to build a 1776, sorry I'll take the other choice to make the volume) want to know.  Though I do see the benefit (if there is one) of stroking to do it in that at least the Mahle 85.5's are a damn bit cheaper than the bigger sets, but then I'd just have to make a wide engine or cut the top off those nice new pistons.
 
John
 

________________________________
 From: "claralw at aol.com" <claralw at aol.com>
To: veewee111 at aol.com; Vintagebus at type2.com 
Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2013 7:03 AM
Subject: Re: [VB] 1600 sp …
  


Is that 125,000 miles without doing anything to the motor? 



-----Original Message-----
From: veewee111 veewee111 at aol.com


Hi JDD,
Depends on how you drive it.  Have now over 125,000 miles on our SP 1641 (slip 
in cylinders) SP engine, and it still runs like new.
.........
Personally next engine will be trying stock 85 mm P&C with 78 mm stroker 
crankshaft.


E&B

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