What are good, lightweight forged pistons for a 340

[PettyBlue72]

I am at the point where I need to start thinking about pistons for my 340 build for my RR.

I want a healthy street motor with HP somewhere around the 400 range. I want the CR to be around 10 to 1 with a 30 overbore. I will also be using a 340 forged steel crank and ported 69 340 X heads with stainless valves and springs.

Who makes good, lightweight forged pistons for my 340 that won't cost me an arm and a leg? I have seen Mahle pistons on Ebay. Are mahle pistons any good? What about weisco, diamond other brands?

Any advice and info is much appreciated.

Joe

 

[Garys1969RR]

I have used the Ross dome pistons in my 451, and they work great! At 550 grams, one of the lightest I could find.

 

[mr. b]

I have j e pistons in my 446 work great

 

[PettyBlue72]

Can you get a flat top piston in the Ross and je brands?

 

[BeastlyBirdie]

Yes, and another second for JE pistons, and there is also SRP....

 

[PettyBlue72]

I see Mahle power packs on Ebay. They include the pistons, rings, clips and pins. Has anyone used these pistons and if so are they good. I looked at the SRP to and they are definitely an option.

 

[lewtot184]

take a look at Icon's. i've used venolia, ross, je, wiseco and never had an issue with any of them.

 

[PoppaSmurf]

Ross or Venolia

 

[Meep-Meep]

I have experience with WISECO and they are excellent. I built my old Porsche 911 using them and no issues at all. MAHLE pistons have been around for quite some time and are the OEM supplier for Porsche and now Harley Davidson. In the 80's I built a few type I, II and III VW engines using those, and again, no issues. One thing you want to decide is if you want to use a 2618 or a 4032 alloy. The 2618 is stronger but requires more wall clearance, so it's best suited for racing. The 4032 has a higher silicon content and can be run closer to the wall for quieter operation and longer life. If you are building a street motor then go with the 4032.

 

[Supershafts]

I have used malhe in many builds, also Ross, JE, Arias, Venolia, Diamond, Probe and a couple others that escape me at the moment.

 

[theman440]

Add Arias to the list...

 

[Supershafts]

Are you expecting to be hanging at 7000 or more rpm ? do you expect to be using more than 200 additional hp by way of n2o

 

[PettyBlue72]

I don't plan on running at 7000 rpm's constantly and I will not be running nitrous.

 

[Supershafts]

Then your choices are far easier and less expensive, any of the 3 you mentioned are more than enough without having any worries

 

[PettyBlue72]

Thanks guys for all the good suggestions. I picked up a good steel crank and balancer today and now I just have to talk to the engine builder to get an estimate on the build and go from there. I am most likely going to have Bob George Racing build the motor. A friend recommended them and I have heard good things about them on here and other forums. Have any of you guys used them and if so how was the quality of the work, performance gains cost etc? Any info on them will be great.

Joe