Prothe pistons...what's the verdict? - page 1 - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Prothe pistons...what's the verdict? by hamradio on 03 Jan, 2010 09:28
• So,
  
  Has anyone had any experience with the prothe pistons?  $189/set is enticing, but I worry about quality. 
  
  
  Thanks.
  
  -Devan
• #1 by Rabbit on Roids on 03 Jan, 2010 09:31
• i know someone, maybe smokey eddy is running a set of his pistons. im going to be inclined to buy a set also for my 1.6 build. im gonna opt for total seal rings tho, rather than whatever they come with.
• #2 by Powered by Spearco on 03 Jan, 2010 09:42
• I'm running a set of TD pistons from Prothe. The rings that came with them are junk, only because one was broken upon opening for inspection. I'm using a set of Goutze rings with no problems so far, and thats running lots of fuel and boost.
  Others might say different due to their experience.
• #3 by Dakotakid on 03 Jan, 2010 10:20
• Two sets put to work with their original rings last year. Both engines are N/A application. Each engine now has roughly 10,000 miles. The machinist said the pistons spec'ed out very well. Both engines had their rings seat quickly and any oil usage is (for practical purposes) non-existant at this time. Can't complain at this point.
• #4 by Rabbit on Roids on 03 Jan, 2010 10:32
• and the fact that a company with a good reputation builds these pistons. they supply oem pistons for ford and isuzu if i remember right. prothe just has the connection to the company is all. i think the pistons are probably the best product he sells honestly.
• #5 by Powered by Spearco on 03 Jan, 2010 10:35
• Whats the brand name of the pistons? Something like "Quality" right.
• #6 by Rabbit on Roids on 03 Jan, 2010 10:41
• crap, i cant find the page where i saw it, but it had the suppliers name, and certifications once upon a time.
• #7 by burn_your_money on 03 Jan, 2010 11:16
• Why support a guy that continues to rip people off with his garbage pumps? There must be other cheap sources for pistons?
• #8 by maxfax on 03 Jan, 2010 11:35
• Prothe get's the pistons from Right Way Industrial...   I did some checking up on the company and the do indeed supply alot of OEM stuff.. I bought a set, have yet to get the engine installed and try them out, but they guys at the machine shop seemed pleased with them, and they be some picky mo-fo's..
  
  I have to side with Burn on this though..  I did buy a set from Prothe It'll probably be the last thing I ever buy from him. He's screwed too many people over with his pumps.. If he'd get out of the pump "rebuilding" he could quite possibly be a somewhat reputable seller.. 
  
  There has to be someone out there that also has the same connection to source these..  Yeah they may not be OEM but I just can;t see putting $400 bucks worth of pistons in a car worth $800... Bang for the buck they seem alright...
• #9 by 410 on 03 Jan, 2010 16:27
• I bought a set of his pistons for my m-tdi project and so far so good.  I do wish I had used better rings though.  I do burn a little bit of oil still.  I  have about 5000 km on these pistons now running 20 psi and a heavily modded pump.
  
  I also noticed that the oil ring is not completely supported close to the wrist pin.  I wonder if this could my oil consumption issue.  This is noticeable in the pics on his web page.  I haven't had a close look if the 1.6 pistons are the same.
• #10 by deathhare on 04 Jan, 2010 06:22
• A little more money but made in germany.....Kolbenschmidt ftw.
   http://www.thedubdoctor.com/parts_site/idiparts.html
• #11 by Rabbit on Roids on 04 Jan, 2010 07:02
• Quote from: deathhare on 04 Jan, 2010 06:22

  A little more money but made in germany.....Kolbenschmidt ftw.
   http://www.thedubdoctor.com/parts_site/idiparts.html
  

  
  that gets us right back to the 400 dollar problem. we were looking for cheap pistons. we can get mahles from Myke on here for like 85 bucks a piece.
• #12 by 8v-of-fury on 04 Jan, 2010 10:13
• I think Smokey Eddy is running a prothe 1.9 head on his 1.6td. I'm fairly certain that thing gets abused (30 psi regularly lol), and its still goin.
• #13 by rabbitman on 04 Jan, 2010 11:14
• Thedubdoctor and Myke are one and the same
• #14 by deathhare on 05 Jan, 2010 08:16
• Quote from: Rabbit on Roids on 04 Jan, 2010 07:02

  Quote from: deathhare on 04 Jan, 2010 06:22

  A little more money but made in germany.....Kolbenschmidt ftw.
   http://www.thedubdoctor.com/parts_site/idiparts.html
  

  
  that gets us right back to the 400 dollar problem. we were looking for cheap pistons. we can get mahles from Myke on here for like 85 bucks a piece.
  

  
  400 dollars is CHEAP!