Aftermarket pistons

[Benno]

so I've had a bit of a search around and couldn't find anything so here goes.

I'm looking for a set of forged slugs for my ae71, now it is a CA18(i don't need any flak about it, I've heard it all before) but I'd like to start a general discussion on aftermarket pistons. Brands, experience(good or bad), failures, success stories what ever.
I'd prefer personal experience (try to steer away from the "friend of a friend of mine had....)

now I've never built and engine with forgies before so here's a few brands I've been looking at to start off

Venolia
CP
JE
Arias
Wiseco
ACL

fire away.

[gunbz-r]

well is it a cheap build or a dear one, and what are u chasin in terms of durbility and power, and what will your setup consist of.

now a set of arias are cheap but wont like alot of power, where as acl(mahle) or venolias will cost a bit more but also last

[Benno]

I've heard the the arias are a bit on the weak side. but i didn't know Mahle made ACL.
I'm after a strong engine, not to much power, around the 200-220KW and the fly would be good. but would cop a bit of a floggin
I'm not too worried on price yet, haven't even got the get bores measured/checked yet so I've got time to save the extra bickies for better gear.
but upto and around the $1K mark for pistons

[gunbz-r]

no theres a difference between mahle and acl, but acl have mahle. for what u want i'd spend the money and go venolia or majle and go for somethin a bit higher in comp, if the pistons are strong enough why not. be a bit sharper in response and make more power. but then u have to spend more on better tuning to be safe.

[Benno]

I'd rather not bump the CR any higher. I'm chasing strong not powerful. id rather have it able to rev to 8500 safely but only make peak power at 7000, a motor capable of 300kw but only making 200kw.
I'm not one for trying to squeaze every last kw out of a build, I'd rather pick a target level and have a large "buffer"
that way i can work on getting a broader power band rather than a huge peak(you know the whole area under the graph idea)

but cheers for the fast info Gun

[gunbz-r]

no worries dude, but the difference with more comp is the fact that u can run lower boost, make the same power and have a very responsive engine, even off boost, and as long as u dont go silly with boost ur cylinder pressure would work out similar as low comp with a fair bit of boost