Thread: VE-T people, what pistons?

Thanks for the info. I was trying to avoid having to buy the engine and then buy 5-600.00 worth of pistons again. Think I just burned #3 CP piston In my DE-T. So I'm looking to go 'VE. So without trying to be totally cheap ( I like to say budget build) I guess the det pistons would be an option huh? Also while I have your attention do I need the 'VE harness also?

Just saw the last post, I have a GT 3076, equal length mani, ID 1000 inj, nismotronic ecu

All I can say is you might want to figure out why you melted or damaged a CP piston before continuing on with the project. Because it doesnt take strong detonation on a VE to crack ring lands. CP pistons are pretty freakin tough, ive had my plug ground straps blow completely apart, break up and detonate to hell and the pistons didnt have any sign of detonation damage, then they really got hit hard when fuel pressure pretty much went to nothing on me and it broke the top rings and bent the and chewed up the top ring land.

CP's will take much much more abuse than a VE piston.

So basicly if you want to give yourself some cusion room as far as tuning goes, You might consider just swapping out pistons. If you know what happened with the current motor and think you have it taken care of then no need to swap pistons or if you can find a good tuner to tune the stock ve so that it wont blow ring lands apart.

Since your on that side of the country anyways and that close. You should really just take it to Jamie Marsh and have him tune it for you. You have a good turbo setup so no reason you should have to worry if everything is tuned right. BTW SR20GTi-R is Jamie if you didnt know.

I have said this time and time again (and as Jamie has pointed out), "high" (9~10.5 or so:1 region) compression is more than acceptable on 93 octane with the PROPER tuning tools!!

I refuse to go lower than 9.5:1 on any build, simple. The driveability (both in and out of boost) is outstanding in such cases

Get the tune spot on, control detonation and keep the exhaust side free flowing as VEs love to breathe and you will be set.

No need to reinvent the wheel

P.S to answer your question: stock compression and pistons are fine WITH the proper turbine housing size on the turbo (in conjunction with a recommended EL mani) as well as PROPER ecu tuning.

I agree I need to figure out what happened, just towed the car home from track and has been sitting ever since, I was thinking burned piston based on the oil smoke, misfire and how how white the other plugs were. I don't know if I lost fuel pressure or what. Been running this ecu for a while and I trust the tune was right. But I do appreciate all the input. Maybe I'm just using this as an excuse to upgrade!!

vet pistons ftw

nothing like good valve reliefs either, any other pistons unless if they are custom need to be flycut for reliefs

Anyone have any issues with the CP pistons being super noisy at cold-start? Buddy's STi has CPs, and they rattle LIKE CRAZY when the engine's cold. Not sure if it's a boxer-specific issue, or if it's related to the CP pistons' silicon content.

/h

piston slap?

its probably a bad wrist pin,