Building the engine

[fightinsk8ers]

Ok so what kind of improvements would i see from new pistons and rods? I was looking at them from www.dezod.com (http://www.dezod.com) Also would like to know what else would need to be done with these being replaced? I dont know anything about this but i know that it would be good for the long run especially with a turbo in the future.

[Krdshrk]

No real power improvements until you up the boost and retune... they just strengthen the engine so you can run higher boost.

[Binder86]

I would also recomend connecting rods, and main bearings. as for power gains could end up in a longer powerband, and top end power. internals are a big key in large power gains. There are all motor civics maiking up to 500+ whp on a motor that originally started with 180whp. so you tell me that stroger and lower compression pistons combined with forged connecting rods aren't going to gain power. Plus you will be able to turn up the boost and not worry as much that you're going to blow up the motor.

[JoshCrane1]

I would also recomend connecting rods, and main bearings. as for power gains could end up in a longer powerband, and top end power. internals are a big key in large power gains. There are all motor civics maiking up to 500+ whp on a motor that originally started with 180whp. so you tell me that stroger and lower compression pistons combined with forged connecting rods aren't going to gain power. Plus you will be able to turn up the boost and not worry as much that you're going to blow up the motor.
stronger and lower comp. pistons would lower your power unless your turbo or s/c'd. but if he is boosted, he can crank up the power. that was his point.
same size forged pistons will do nothing but strenghthen. but higher comp. pistons on the other hand will give more power on any car.

[Binder86]

Thats exactly what im saying.

[THansenite]

but higher comp. pistons on the other hand will give more power on any car.

Just don't boost with high compression pistons. :up:

Unless you are planning on running over 8-10psi of boost, building your engine for F/I isn't essential (though it helps).

If you are staying N/A, the best way to get more power is to completely rebuild the engine by increasing compression and possibly increasing displacement, replacing internals, porting, polishing, etc.

[JDub86]

There is power to be gained when you are N/A but its requires more money and work.

[Binder86]

not really. high comp. pistons are the same price as low comp. pistons. prices may vary according to the company name. Plus there is only really a certain amount of power to be made by building the tc N/A due to the fact they only make cams for the supercharged version and no cam gears are made for it. This power mod is crucial due to the fact how the affect the breathing of the car.

[fightinsk8ers]

so higher compression pistons, connecting rods, and main bearings would give me more N/A power for now and also help when i put a turbo on. (i know its not essential to build the motor) I want to build it becuase i have an autos and i want to run high boost. What else would need to be done to the internals? port and polish?

[Binder86]

High comp. pistons do not go well with boosted engines. Port and polish will help improve the breathing however ive never seen it done on a tc and wouldnt waste the time or money to do it on the oem cylinder head. Thats pretty much it for the internals on the tc. But be patient there will be more to come in the future.

[2dot4]

Now that I'm heading back down the N/A path, I'm going to be looking into these options too.

As far as power, high compression pistons are a good mod for N/A, and forged rods are a good back up. However, if you're staying N/A, it's gonna be difficult to reach huge numbers, so you don't have to completely rebuild the engine. I'd say Pistons, rods (for strength), new valves, new cams, pulleys, flywheel, pnp head, pnp intake manifold, oversized (or individual) throttle body....there's plenty of options.

I dunno where to start lol.

[Binder86]

a larger throttle body is a good mod, however there are modifications needed to b done to the intake, which isnt a big deal. making the internals stronger is good as well so you can tune and extend the powerband without worrying that your going to grenade the engine.

[tc4life]

quik question for you engine gurus...... if i put in high compression pistons is there any tuning that needs to be done... or......

[2dot4]

what do you mean? like do you need to sleeve the block or overbore the cylinder walls? No - if you buy OE bore high compression pistons, they'll slide in and bolt down like stock. I would recommend a stronger head gasket and even ARP studs for the head. That will keep you from blowing out your head gasket, which is an annoying fix.

High compression pistons produce higher compression constantly - throughout the entire powerband. A turbo only increases compression through approx. half the powerband, so a new gasket and studs are a great idea for high comp pistons.

[Binder86]

what do you mean? like do you need to sleeve the block or overbore the cylinder walls? No - if you buy OE bore high compression pistons, they'll slide in and bolt down like stock. I would recommend a stronger head gasket and even ARP studs for the head. That will keep you from blowing out your head gasket, which is an annoying fix.

High compression pistons produce higher compression constantly - throughout the entire powerband. A turbo only increases compression through approx. half the powerband, so a new gasket and studs are a great idea for high comp pistons.

couldnt have said it better.

[tc4life]

no i know all that but as far as the computer is concerned is it needed to retune it so it runs better.... or can i just swap in the high compression pistons and have more power

[fightinsk8ers]

nothing needs to be done to your ecu...you can just swap the pistons....


so since high compression pistons arent good for boost then what kind of pistons can you get?

[Binder86]

A standalone will help big time with ignition timing, powerband extensions, valve timing...etc... It is very important that when you are swapping oem parts with aftermarket parts that it is done carefully, and a standalone system is a good way of keeping everything in check while operating under extreme stress and high performance.

[Krazylowgsx]

i'm building my motor and putting together a turbo kit, and i'm using CP 9.5:1 pistons, and Manely I beam rods, along with other shit.

if you plan on building your block for boost, you need to buy pistons, rods, and bearings. that alone will be enough to hold 500whp. you wont have to buy cams, or a throttle body until you get way up there in power. that has been 2 500+WHP tc's that are using the stock TB. one hit 542whp, and the other hit 511whp.

basically man... if you plan on boosting later down the road... build your motor for that.

[Binder86]

they dont make cams for a turbo tc, only for the supercharger. With a turbo you dont want any valve overlap aka scavenging. This is the duration that the exhaust and intake valve are open at the same time. This is so a new fuel mixture can be pushed in with engine vacuum. With a turbo this can be harmful (blow by) and its not neccessary.