Mike Heaps wrote: >I am new to the list and have a question that has been asked probably a = Dear Mike: Well, since you asked: Having used both the "Shasta/JE" pistons andseveral hundred sets of the NPR's, (and a buncha stock sets) here's theStory so far: Ifin you guys have any moreDetails, please butt in. BB KIT TYPE PISTON CHARAC. CYLINDER CHARAC RINGS==========================================================================1. Newest Type: Near-exact copy of Painted Black RIKEN 86mm BIG BORE NPR Piston. Has on Fins. RINGS Slot under 3rd Top 1-piece Jury Still out Compression Ring oil control Has steel reinforcement with expander Has stamped-in "arrow" Rumored that "Wayne" is involved in these 2. "USA" Type Different Design Painted Cylinders GRANT 86 mm BIG BORE Has slot under 3rd Top Ring Two Initials RINGS Jury Still Out (Some have drilled holes too) inside diamond First batch had many no steel reinforcement on outside 3-piece "100 mile" seizures "USA" cast inside of cylinder oil control piston skirt. Has stamped-in "arrow" 3. "SHASTA/JE" Type Uses "USA" Type Cylinders Black PaintedSealed Power 86mm Big Bore Or: you Supply & Bore & Hone 3-piece O/C Uses Black Cylinders Cylinders. (3rings tot) I prefer to bore Forged Piston Industrial Engine Only 2 Top Compression Rings, 3 rings total. Cylinders. No offset in Wrist Pin. Last batch of No Oil Control ring below wrist pin. Pistons has 0.001+" No "arrow" on piston top. variation Only 1 Exhaust Valve Cut-out. Have run at 9.5:1 CR successfully 3. ORIGINAL NPR BIG BORE Has steel-reinforcement Not Painted. NPR RINGS 86mm P&C Kit in Piston Top. Some sets have 1-piece Has slot under 3rd Top an "HJ" inside oilcontrol Compression Ring. a "diamond" on Has one-piece Outside of cylinder. Oil Control Ring Has RAISED "arrow" on top of Piston. Best if kept below 9.0:1 CR Keep the 356 Faith!The Maestro Got a Porsche 356 or 912 Problem? Especially an Engine Problem? Give the Maestro a shout at: 356talk@356registry.org Or call: (408) 727-1864 (phone) (408) 727-0951 (fax) E-mail: maestro@well.com WEBSITE: http://www.hcpresearch.com (As in HCP Research, but withoutthe spacebetween "HCP" and "Research".) And: KEEP THE 356/912 FAITH!
Harry, Here is what I have seen and asked to evaluate by the distributors,these are all the aftermarket stuff, and all of the 1720 cc type.1. Original NPR, high quality, C/R with a stock C head (if there is such athing) about 8.5:1 but NLA. Blue and White checkerboard box. Maybe a fewsets out there rat-holed away by the usual suspects.2.NPR "clone" with a piston cast obviously from an original NPR piston butof very poor quality. Porosity in the metal (old beer cans) and can beidentified by the crown being fresh from the sand cast. Cylinderssurprisingly of decent quality, obviously not from the piston maker. Weightssomehow within OE factory specs of 5gm. but still "loose" by today'sstandards. I see these retail about $400-500.3. Another NPR clone but this time a good and respectable piston, CNC crown,weights within 3gm and excellent cylinders. Retail $750-850.4. Shasta Design. Here is the real deal, forged pistons, great cylinders andthe last set I used had the biggest weight variance, 1.2gm. These aredesigned to be 9.5:1 in a stock 356C head. They are only 30% more thanchoice 3 but they will out live all the rest. Retail about $1250.Sincerely,Alan,The Stable, San Francisco
another option is to obtain a set of cast iron cylinders if your car doesn'talready have them and punch out .030 over and install J&E forged pistonswith Deves rings. These are about as good as you can get, lightest of alloptions, virtually C/R of choice. We can supply J&E's for about $875 byorder.----- Original Message -----From: "The Stable" To: "Harry Pellow" Cc: "356 Registry" <356talk@356registry.org>Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 8:30 PMSubject: Re: Japanese Big Bore kit > Harry,Weightscrown,and
Why would you partake of aftermarket pistons and cylinders when for$795.00 we can sell you new C mahle or Klobenschmidt piston cylinders andrings. Give us a call we have them in stock, Zim's Autotechnik 800.356.2964ask for Kirk, thanks al zim