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Thu Apr 27, 2006 3:51 pm

I posted this in Vanagon Forum, but I think there may be more knowledge on the subject over here.. :)

Looking for new P&C set for 80 westy, stock 2.0 FI. I see a Kolbenschmidt set avail for $480, and a Mahle set avail for $230. If I spend the extra 250 (more than 2X the price) for the Kolbenschmidts, am I really going to realize the potential of my investment in this engine application (ie, Vanagon Westy over-taxing the engine into an earlier rebuild anyways?). From what I understand currently, the KS ones have a smaller Cc dish in the piston, and are made to more exacting standards, and will possibly lead to a cooler running engine. What more do I need to know?

Thanks.

Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:19 pm

I think if it were me I would be more interested in having a really well balanced set of pistons myself http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=EPS0001&cartid=0425200667612296

and would save my dough for some really well built heads http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/store/product.php?productid=16231&cat=283&page=1

Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:26 pm

Randy in Maine wrote: I think if it were me I would be more interested in having a really well balanced set of pistons myself http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=EPS0001&cartid=0425200667612296

and would save my dough for some really well built heads http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/store/product.php?productid=16231&cat=283&page=1

All the Mahle sets I have seen are within 1/2 a gram ea, you also need to weigh the rods .

Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:37 pm

yes, yes thank you... I know already about weighing the pistons and the rods. much-appreciated, nonetheless.

I am glad the Cima/Mahles are recommended, as it is easier on my pocket. :roll:

What I was hoping to find out, is from what I understand (correct me, please, if I am wrong) is that Kolbenschmidt is one of the original equipment manufacturers for VW. Aren't these (KS) supposed to be a superior product?

:!: new revelation! I suppose I'm going to be glad I cheaped out on the Mahles when a valve bounces around in the combustion chamber :shock: (note to self: don't forget to install the head temp guage) :lol:

Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:51 pm

jberger wrote: All the Mahle sets I have seen are within 1/2 a gram ea, you also need to weigh the rods .
You must have horseshoes coming out your tailpipe. :)
The one set of Mahles I purchased for my rebuild had three pistons within a gram, and one piston 6 grams lighter.
Rather than lighten the other three, my balancer matched the light piston to the heaviest conrod small end and then matched the rest of the small ends with that difference in mind.
All of the pin weights were the same, but I understand that sometimes you can swap pistons and pins around to get the closest weight match between the four.

Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:41 pm

KS and Mahle Pistons as you probably know have ben fierce rivals ever since the Versailles Treaty in 1919. Germans (not that I am partial to them since they produced some of the greatest man made technology and worst man made social distaster of the 20th Century) were the first to manufacture the modern internal combustion engine, a Daimler-Benz product. It's not surprising that piston manufactures were Germans too.
KS and Mahle are the two largest piston manufacturers in the WORLD and not surprising since they have been in the business since the turn of the 20th Century. In fact after WWII, the companies briefly merged after KS lost 80% of its tooling to American B23's. Who do you think made all those tak pistons? Mahle or KS?? Doesn't matter. The difference both theoretically and technically between Mahle and KS is nominal to nill. It's like asking which microprocessor in 1974 was the fastest. hey were all slow. Unless you have a super-duper high performance application, in which case use JE pistons, save your money and buy the best deal.