Choosing 1.6TD pistons for rebuild. - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Choosing 1.6TD pistons for rebuild. by malone on 10 Jun, 2005 14:01
• Currently, there are two different brands of 1.6TD pistons I need to choose from for a 1.6TD rebuild.
  
  As far as I know, Kolbenschmidt are factory OEM pistons. An aftermarket option is Gotze.
  
  Does anyone know the weight/metal/strength/etc. differences between them? Until Gotze is proven to be superior, I'll default with OEM.
  
  I have not yet consulted an engine shop who might know something about different brand 1.6TD pistons, but I figure a handful of experts here might know something...
  
  Thanks,
  Mark
• #1 by vwmike on 10 Jun, 2005 14:17
• How much are the kolbenschmidt pistons? The cheapest I've found pistons at all was vwdieselparts.com at $350 US per set with rings.
• #2 by malone on 10 Jun, 2005 14:29
• My first quote was $110 CAD per piston with ring, but I haven't asked which brand.
  
  According to shox75's post, he paid $80 CAD per piston & ring. He doesn't remember which brand piston he got though.
  
  Anyway, price is not an object in this thread.
• #3 by greggearhead on 10 Jun, 2005 15:51
• kolbenschmidts are the bomb (for gasser stuff) if you are sticking with cast pistons.  Goetze can be great, also can be Brazilian manufacture, which doesn't make them bad, but for  a full-tilt motor, I would go with the Kolbenschmidts.
• #4 by malone on 10 Jun, 2005 17:23
• Thanks for your input Greg.
  
  I'm curious; why are Gotze pistons at least 20% more expensive than Kolbenschmidts?
  
  Anyway, Kolbenschmidt 0.040" overbored pistons are coming tonight. I feel that OEM pistons are strong enough
  
  Cheers,
  Mark
• #5 by 935racer on 10 Jun, 2005 20:12
• Mark I got the pistons and they are sitting in my garage. Get your car over here and I will start the rebuild.
• #6 by malone on 10 Jun, 2005 20:34
• Quote from: "935racer"

  Mark I got the pistons and they are sitting in my garage. Get your car over here and I will start the rebuild.

  
  
  Hey Dave, Brett seemed too busy to help with the tow tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
• #7 by greggearhead on 11 Jun, 2005 09:06
• Damn, wish you guys were in Colorado.  I have a towbar setup I use all the time, plus it would be nice to have the Diesel crazies close by.
• #8 by TDIMeister on 12 Jun, 2005 10:49
• I wasn't aware that Goetze is a supplier of pistons.  I have only known Kolbenschmidt, Mahle and another Brazillian company (can't remember the name off-hand) that supplies VW pistons.
  
  Goetze is a supplier of gaskets, AFAIK...
• #9 by malone on 12 Jun, 2005 15:13
• Thanks for willing to help out, Greg
  
  Yep, I have a Goetze 1.9L headgasket.