B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

I'm in a bit of a dilema right now. Planning for my new build~ I've been a dedicated fan of the D16z6, but i've cracked two blocks. Eagle H beams and JE / SRP pistons hold up STRONG! (was pushing close to 400hp)

But now... I really dont know many details to the strenghts of the B series parts.
This new build, i'm deffinately getting some TT rods, but what about the pistons??? Vitara doesn't make pistons for the B18 does it??? Stock rods hold up to 300hp~ But what about the pistons? Can i push the stock pistons? HOw much?

With TT rods, Stock pistons, and new OEM piston rings, what HP can i push?

What are the cheapest aftermarket pistons for the B? I dont want to spend more than $200.




On a side note: I've heard nothing but bad reliability from the B18 LS / vtec convertion... WHY? what goes wrong???

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

first off...vitara is a model of a suzuki, not a piston manufacturer. second, from my experience the pistons are the first thing to go on a B, if youre bothering to do rods just do pistons (but if your budget is 200 that wont happen without buying used)

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

Vitara pistons come in 75 and 76mm for sure. I had a set for my D16z6 build.. until the machine shop discovered a crack, and i had to junk the block.

There are many Honda's using Vitara SUV pistons~ Check it out, there's quite a few using the pistons on turbod16.com because the Suzuki vitara is a 1.6L engine also.


But what happens to the stock pistons? they crack and break up? the intake relief area's melt down? They melt holes right through the middle???

How much power CAN they take? (stock b18 pistons)
What are my options for aftermarket pistons?

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

The pistons will do 300whp properly tuned. Just like any stock cast piston, you run lean, and that bitch will pwn you. But really if your making 400whp+ the rods will go first.

And dont get me started on the ls/vtec. But to make it simple, the d-seies rod bolts and b18b rod bolts are the same, yet people try and rev there stock b18b bottom end 8.5k and wonder why ---- falls appart.

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

I revved my D to 8,500 rpms without a problem... ever... i had a cracked sleeve due to lack of a block guard at 350hp , nothing wrong w/ the bottom end.


So the pistons do 300hp easily... I know the bottom end of an LS block is good for 300hp stock... I'm looking for around 450. Will stock pistons handle this with Eagle H beam rods??? YES ON A PROPERLY tuned engine. I will not be revving over 7400rpm
but Eagle rods go for 600+hp... my limit will be the pistons. This will be tuned properly... no doubt about that... (i tune my own motors)


Cliff notes: without revving the B18a1 past 7400rpm, and Eagle H beam rods, how much power will the stock pistons take? 450 safe?

My setup is 750cc injectors, full 3" exhaust, t3/to4e turbo, p28 on crome, and XXX amount of psi to push the limits of the stock pistons... unless i find a good set for less than 200$

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

If you cant afford to pay the $420ish for forged pistons mabey u shouldnt be building a 400+whp honda :l

ur not going to make 450whp on pump gas on Stock cast pistons :3 with racegas anythings possible :6

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

Hmmm I have standard bore srp forged pistons for sale. I never used them but the guy i got them from said he only used them for 1 dyno pull (in pretty minty shape so i believe him). They are 10:1 comp for the b16, but that gives about a 9.4:1 in a b18a/b (just right in my opinion). I bought them for $200 so thats what I'll sell them for. $250 and I'll throw in the je pro seal rings (unused, bought from summit for $80 and never did the build). I also have arp rod standard size rod bolts for a b18 too, and a mr.gasket 3 layer head gasket, and clevite rod bearings. PM me if interested

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

Edit: Meant for PM not post reply :1

and in reply to other guy above... nope, i have no idea what i'm doing with 400whp... i have no idea how to tune either? (Sarcasm) i just taught the guy who owned the dyno and "rebuilds" hondas.


Just want to know the limits of the stock pistons, because the Vitara cast pistons in the D series have pushed over 400hp... and i'm ignorant to the B pistons tolerances.

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

I should be going home for a while on wednesday, if not then, this weekend, and i'll get some good pics for ya.

Re: B18a1 pistons STOCK vs. FoRGED
 

power kills rods
a bad tune melts pistons