Pistons

[jbm2k6]

I'm looking for first oversize pistons and rings for a 1.6 NA. Does anyone recommend a particular vendor for these? I haven't had much luck searching on my own. AutohausAZ only sells them individually.

Thanks!

[dankcorey22]

How much over? .020 (.5MM) or .040 (1.0MM)? Prothe has got some pistons they are pretty good quality... BUT REPLACE THE RINGS WITH SOME TOTAL SEAL RINGS! The rings that are on it SUCKS!

[mmitocky]

I needed to buy pistons for my Audi 5-cyl diesel, and wanted the Kolbenschmidt pistons from Autohaus, but they only sold them in sets of 4.  After asking if they could sell me 5, someone there said they would check with their supplier -- they did, and they suddenly allowed you to buy them individually.  You say "you can only buy them individually", but I am pretty sure the price per piston is just one-fourth of what the 4 piston set was....so the total price isn't really affected.  FWIW, the Kolbenschmidt pistons are EXCELLENT quality; the price is indicative of that...

[jbm2k6]

Decided to combine this into one post, instead of having two.

I need .20 over. I had read that a few folks had relatively good luck with prothe's pistons, but I just wasn't sure about taking a chance on something like that, myself. When I got the car, I got a box of new parts from him with it, and I wasn't too impressed with the quality.

This raises the question, at least to me, should I consider total seal rings if I do go forward with, say, Kolbenschmidt pistons?

I needed to buy pistons for my Audi 5-cyl diesel, and wanted the Kolbenschmidt pistons from Autohaus, but they only sold them in sets of 4.  After asking if they could sell me 5, someone there said they would check with their supplier -- they did, and they suddenly allowed you to buy them individually.  You say "you can only buy them individually", but I am pretty sure the price per piston is just one-fourth of what the 4 piston set was....so the total price isn't really affected.  FWIW, the Kolbenschmidt pistons are EXCELLENT quality; the price is indicative of that...

I didn't think about it that way. I know that particular brand is known for quality, too. Thanks for putting it into perspective. :-)

[monomer]

I needed to buy pistons for my Audi 5-cyl diesel, and wanted the Kolbenschmidt pistons from Autohaus, but they only sold them in sets of 4.  After asking if they could sell me 5, someone there said they would check with their supplier -- they did, and they suddenly allowed you to buy them individually.  You say "you can only buy them individually", but I am pretty sure the price per piston is just one-fourth of what the 4 piston set was....so the total price isn't really affected.  FWIW, the Kolbenschmidt pistons are EXCELLENT quality; the price is indicative of that...

Thats where I got my TD (cut skirt) pistons, same brand. Great quality, and the price reflects that.

[R.O.R-2.0]

I needed to buy pistons for my Audi 5-cyl diesel, and wanted the Kolbenschmidt pistons from Autohaus, but they only sold them in sets of 4.  After asking if they could sell me 5, someone there said they would check with their supplier -- they did, and they suddenly allowed you to buy them individually.  You say "you can only buy them individually", but I am pretty sure the price per piston is just one-fourth of what the 4 piston set was....so the total price isn't really affected.  FWIW, the Kolbenschmidt pistons are EXCELLENT quality; the price is indicative of that...

Thats where I got my TD (cut skirt) pistons, same brand. Great quality, and the price reflects that.

there around $100 a piston arent they?

[camboscams]

I've got King brand from partsplace and they're still running strong i've had it to 1400 degrees a few times too and have the piston oiler notch already cut out. about 100$ a piston too. FWIW

[jbm2k6]

It makes me feel a bit better spending the money on that knowing I'll get the good stuff.  I've ordered a few parts which said "German" in the description, but arrived to say "engineered in Germany, made in China". I'm just hesitant to put out a lot of money for something that may not have the level of quality control or attention to detail that I'm looking for, as I'm on a strict budget and really can't afford to replace a motor due to poor quality parts falling to pieces on me. Maybe I'm being a little over the top, though?

[BigVWman]

If i had the money to shell out i would go german! There is a definite quality difference, whether you'll ever see any benefit from that difference is a question but the piece of mind is worth it if you can afford it. The only genuine german parts i have had prematurely fail is one batch of meistersatz cv boots about 18 yrs ago!

[monomer]

I needed to buy pistons for my Audi 5-cyl diesel, and wanted the Kolbenschmidt pistons from Autohaus, but they only sold them in sets of 4.  After asking if they could sell me 5, someone there said they would check with their supplier -- they did, and they suddenly allowed you to buy them individually.  You say "you can only buy them individually", but I am pretty sure the price per piston is just one-fourth of what the 4 piston set was....so the total price isn't really affected.  FWIW, the Kolbenschmidt pistons are EXCELLENT quality; the price is indicative of that...

Thats where I got my TD (cut skirt) pistons, same brand. Great quality, and the price reflects that.

there around $100 a piston arent they?

can't find the invoice, I think it was around $430 on that order, I may have ordered some other goodies also.



Figure, if you build it: why not spend the extra $$ to do it proper. Next parts (besides a TD pump) on the list is the new con rods that are out now. The parts for this build have taken three years to acquire.; Take your time & do it right! You can never go wrong with german parts. Nicest OE piston's I've ever seen! Skirts are coated from factory!