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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: hamradio on January 03, 2010, 09:28:34 am

Title: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: hamradio on January 03, 2010, 09:28:34 am
So,

Has anyone had any experience with the prothe pistons?  $189/set is enticing, but I worry about quality. 


Thanks.

-Devan
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on January 03, 2010, 09:31:27 am
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.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Powered by Spearco on January 03, 2010, 09:42:34 am
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.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Dakotakid on January 03, 2010, 10:20:03 am
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.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on January 03, 2010, 10:32:18 am
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.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Powered by Spearco on January 03, 2010, 10:35:45 am
Whats the brand name of the pistons? Something like "Quality" right.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on January 03, 2010, 10:41:22 am
crap, i cant find the page where i saw it, but it had the suppliers name, and certifications once upon a time.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: burn_your_money on January 03, 2010, 11:16:23 am
Why support a guy that continues to rip people off with his garbage pumps? There must be other cheap sources for pistons?
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: maxfax on January 03, 2010, 11:35:55 am
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...
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: 410 on January 03, 2010, 04:27:03 pm
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.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: deathhare on January 04, 2010, 06:22:12 am
A little more money but made in germany.....Kolbenschmidt ftw.
 http://www.thedubdoctor.com/parts_site/idiparts.html (http://www.thedubdoctor.com/parts_site/idiparts.html)
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on January 04, 2010, 07:02:47 am
A little more money but made in germany.....Kolbenschmidt ftw.
 http://www.thedubdoctor.com/parts_site/idiparts.html (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.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: 8v-of-fury on January 04, 2010, 10:13:52 am
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.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: rabbitman on January 04, 2010, 11:14:55 am
Thedubdoctor and Myke are one and the same ;D
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: deathhare on January 05, 2010, 08:16:39 am
A little more money but made in germany.....Kolbenschmidt ftw.
 http://www.thedubdoctor.com/parts_site/idiparts.html (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!  ???
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on January 05, 2010, 08:50:42 am
yea, actually 400 bucks is pretty cheap for some great pistons like those. especially when we are working with engines that are in such low demand. thats why SBC parts are cheap, everyone wants some.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: maxfax on February 17, 2011, 08:05:11 pm
For the sake of someone searching for this answer at a later date I figured I'd dredge up an old topic.. 

Just curious about those who have used the Prothe (or is is Hans now?)  pistons how they are still holding up...  At the moment what I'm most curious about is, how are the supplied rings doing? 
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: Dakotakid on February 17, 2011, 08:28:41 pm
Slight oil consumption in my hydro engine. Nothing to worry abooot. Seems to flat get down the road with the K 24 blowing down their  necks! If I did it again....would probably step up to Goetz rings on these pistons. Just really like the Goetz.
The KS pistons I bought are still sitting in the box in my 2nd bedroom. Sooner or later the last engine will get built.
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: maxfax on February 17, 2011, 10:28:49 pm
Thanks Dakota..  I was debating about going with better rings..  It's just an NA but I really don;t wanna deal with this thing for a long time....
Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: zukgod1 on February 18, 2011, 08:43:10 am
I've bought a couple sets from him the latest being got my 2000 tdi holding up great.


The pistons are fine but I would recommend OE rings..



Title: Re: Prothe pistons...what's the verdict?
Post by: rodpaslow on February 19, 2011, 11:24:26 am
I used a set of Prothe pistons as well, I have about 10000km's on the without issue so far.  I did buy some grant rings as I didn't like the looks of the ones they came with.  So far okay.

1.6 td 92, running arount 20 psi and giles pump.