bml2200's Engine Build Thread

[quadracer37]

Greg at exergy was more then happy to go threw and rework stuff thay extrude hone had done for me so they will work his over :thumb: good luck with the build i hope to start one again soon

thats good to know then! i wasnt sure if they would want to mess with that or not

 

[custom8726]

The hard lines will bend for the A.C. I have had my motor out 3 times thus far and its about to come out again. I have never disconnected the lines or recharged my A.C. sytem to date.. Just be careful not to kink the lines and zip tie the whole assembly out of the way towards the P-side firewall.. I also melted a set of (De-lipped) stock pistons running a 366 / 480 twin set-up with dual fuelers I would suggest going with Aria's and just doing periodic compression tests to check for blow by (Ring wear).. I would much rather Re-ring the pistons every 30-40k then worry about cracking/melting my pistons, JMHO though,, Good luck on the build :thumb:

 

[custom8726]

Greg at exergy was more then happy to go threw and rework stuff thay extrude hone had done for me so they will work his over :thumb: good luck with the build i hope to start one again soon

Yes and no How big did you go? Were did they start % wise before Exergy got them? When I had my 45% injectors from Dipper,, Exergy said they would not enlarge/hone them to 100 overs due to previous attempts/complications. He did say he would take my stock (used set) to 100% or my already 45% injectors to a maximum of 60%.....

 

[gmduramax]

none of the aftermarket forged pistons are really "great" for daily driving because the ring lands wear, but ive "heard" of better luck with the arias vs the mahle. so take it how ya want it, either way they are both gonna wear faster than a cast.

I thought the Mahle forged use the keystone style ring design? How many people have had problems with the Mahle forged pistons?

 

[quadracer37]

I thought the Mahle forged use the keystone style ring design? How many people have had problems with the Mahle forged pistons?

couldnt tell you offhand, just read in a handful of threads that people are only getting 20,000 mi or so before they are wearing out. i should prolly do some more research myself because ill probably be needing some before long

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

I thought the Mahle forged use the keystone style ring design? How many people have had problems with the Mahle forged pistons?

Camomax melted his like a bad habit.

 

[cafryer]

this thread makes me want to stop driving on a 950hp tune with my stock pistons
im going arias when my stockers crack. i have heard of better luck in DD applications with them, and i beleive you can get them a bit cheaper than mahles.
i think 100 over is the biggest that exergy can go with stock nozzles after that you need the bosch performance ones, which might not be a bad idea because as of right now i think you will need to buy new ones anyways because not sure if exergy will want to mess with nozzles that have already been worked by someone esle, maybe im wrong though.

Are your pistons cut and coated?

 

[quadracer37]

Are your pistons cut and coated?

only cut. my machine shop cut mine for almost half of what socal charges. IMO the coating is a waste of money and time on a piston that is pretty much going to fail sooner or later so i didnt bother with it. so i just got new rings and delipped them. still have stock cam so didnt need to have valve reliefs cut.

 

[cafryer]

wow im suprised they have lasted at that level.

 

[schulte]

I had cut and coated pistons that cracked with GT55/GT4094 twins and 125% over injectors.

Currently there are no forged pistons with keystone rings.

 

[bml2200]

Camomax melted his like a bad habit.

Yes I've heard from others about forged Mahles failing as well. I would run Arias but am afraid that they won't be very drivable in the winter; I don't plug the truck in ever, am lucky if it warms up for ten minutes, and usually park outside where temps vary between -5 and mid 30's. Also, from my reading, the piston slap that occurs while the 2618 pistons expand *could* oval out the cylinder, not sure if this applies to the duramax though. I've read the hellfire ring on the Arias doesn't last as long as the rings used on Mahles, I would like to only have to rering every 20-30k miles. The price difference between Mahle and Arias makes Arias a nice choice. Who is a vendor for Arias?

On the injectors, they are 8 hole tips with a different spray angle already so going to 100 over should be easy.

 

[JD Dave]

this thread makes me want to stop driving on a 950hp tune with my stock pistons
im going arias when my stockers crack. i have heard of better luck in DD applications with them, and i beleive you can get them a bit cheaper than mahles.
i think 100 over is the biggest that exergy can go with stock nozzles after that you need the bosch performance ones, which might not be a bad idea because as of right now i think you will need to buy new ones anyways because not sure if exergy will want to mess with nozzles that have already been worked by someone esle, maybe im wrong though.

I called about getting 150-180 overs and they said they can do that to stock tips now. I also was told that the stock spray angle is better the Bosch Motorsport. I was surprised by this because I was ready to buy the 8 holes.

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

Yes I've heard from others about forged Mahles failing as well. I would run Arias but am afraid that they won't be very drivable in the winter; I don't plug the truck in ever, am lucky if it warms up for ten minutes, and usually park outside where temps vary between -5 and mid 30's. Also, from my reading, the piston slap that occurs while the 2618 pistons expand *could* oval out the cylinder, not sure if this applies to the duramax though. I've read the hellfire ring on the Arias doesn't last as long as the rings used on Mahles, I would like to only have to rering every 20-30k miles. The price difference between Mahle and Arias makes Arias a nice choice. Who is a vendor for Arias?

On the injectors, they are 8 hole tips with a different spray angle already so going to 100 over should be easy.

I put 17:1 arias in josh (02bigstrokins) motor and it hasnt gotten terribly cold over here, maybe high 30's, but it doesnt smoke bad at all. Yes the pistons are loud but i doubt they will oval the cylinders. The duramax cylinders are very hard. The hellfire rings will be a waiting game, I know Jeff has some miles on his set and codyn had over 25k on his. To me I would rather plug the truck in and re-ring every 20k and have the piece of mind of having bomb proof pistons. Even if you have to re-ring it sooner, thats better than having to get your block bored out or get a new block and redo all the machine work when a piston lets loose.

 

[custom8726]

Yes I've heard from others about forged Mahles failing as well. I would run Arias but am afraid that they won't be very drivable in the winter; I don't plug the truck in ever, am lucky if it warms up for ten minutes, and usually park outside where temps vary between -5 and mid 30's. Also, from my reading, the piston slap that occurs while the 2618 pistons expand *could* oval out the cylinder, not sure if this applies to the duramax though. I've read the hellfire ring on the Arias doesn't last as long as the rings used on Mahles, I would like to only have to rering every 20-30k miles. The price difference between Mahle and Arias makes Arias a nice choice. Who is a vendor for Arias?

On the injectors, they are 8 hole tips with a different spray angle already so going to 100 over should be easy.

P.M. Simon in regards to the Aria pistons, If nothing else he can steer you in the right direction. I'm not sure anyone here is a vendor for them directly? Perhaps Trent ?

 

[SledMax]

The Arias Pistons will take a major ass kickin. I have had many many pulls over 2000 degrees and they look like new every time I take it apart. Putting new rings on is the only thing I have had to do to them so far.

 

[Stingpuller]

Pistons

There is no free lunch when making power! If you want to run 100k then stick with stock pistons and take your chances. If you want a motor that you don't have to worry about(piston wise) then I would go with something that is made for more power. Rings, They are a 1/16 1/16 and 3/16 ring package. You can get just about any rings you could ever want in that size. That is one of the most popular sizes for a small block chevy. Your options are endless. Mahle makes a very good product and under the correct condition can handle a lot of abuse. There is just a better option when big power is you choice. Jeff

 

[bml2200]

Well it ended up taking a little longer than I planned but the engine is out and will go to the machine shop on Tuesday. The number 4 piston was cracked and there was oil on the number six and eight injectors?? I wasnt surprised to find oil on number four injector. Also, a bolt on each side manifold fell out. Passenger manifold gasket blew out around number one.

I ended up taking off the passenger side fender and the hood to get access to everything. Still trying to decide on pistons but am now leaning towards Arias. I am also wondering if I really need bigger injectors or just have them checked and balanced? Currently, the big tune is using all the pressure the cp3s can provide so I doubt there would be any gain from going to bigger injectors.

 

[bml2200]

Well it ended up taking a little longer than I planned but the engine is out and will go to the machine shop on Tuesday. The number 4 piston was cracked and there was oil on the number six and eight injectors?? I wasnt surprised to find oil on number four injector. Also, a bolt on each side manifold fell out. Passenger manifold gasket blew out around number one.

I ended up taking off the passenger side fender and the hood to get access to everything. Still trying to decide on pistons but am now leaning towards Arias. I am also wondering if I really need bigger injectors or just have them checked and balanced? Currently, the big tune is using all the pressure the cp3s can provide so I doubt there would be any gain from going to bigger injectors.

 

[bml2200]

Decided on these parts and they should show up at the machine shop on Friday:
.020 Mahle Forged Pistons
Socal Drag Cam, valve reliefs req'd
Socal/ATI Dampener
Socal Flywheel

Heads are getting the exhaust side opened up. Injectors are being tested at Exergy right now. I highly doubt the engine and the injectors will be ready by next Thursday so truck probably won't be running til late January. Also am still contemplating upgrading from standard castflows to 2.25" extreme proflows, not sure if it will be worth it.

 

[BUST'EM 504]

No rods??