options for rebuilding bottom end

I have a b18a that I was planning on boosting. From everything that I’ve researched here on G2IC, I was planning on going with stock internals with low to mild boost in my daily driver. I originally planned on just having the block cleaned, honed and decked and what not, but the machine shop called today to tell me that the bores are out of round, which means 81.5mm pistons are in order. I’m wondering what choices should I go with for pistons. I’ve looked at the forged stuff from Wiseco, Arias, JE, CP and they look nice but are pricey. Being the dumbass that I am, I didn’t plan on this and the price will end up hurting the budget. I’ll get them if I have no other options, but I’m wondering if I can get OEM oversize (if available that big) and still be able to boost at my targeted levels. I’m only looking at this from price point since it seems that OEM pistons are about 1/2 the price of forged. Am I totally off target in this thinking?

ask them if they can go .25mm over, this will allow you to get some new oem pistons. if you have to go .50 over, youre stuck with aftermarket, although you will only be saving around $150 with the OEM’s, and the aftermarket will be much stronger.

I suggest you save some more $$ and buy some rods too, and install them as a combo.

well… u can buy those “Nippon” pistons that are all over E-bay. Dunno much about them but its an option. Supposedly it is an alternative to forged pistons. Stronger than stock but not as strong as forged.

I am cautious on buying anything from ebay unless it’s a reputable brand/seller. I gather that no one has had any experience with the Nippons? I’m not going to race my car, so I don’t need any really high end components, but rather something that is boostable (light to moderate) on a daily driver.

IMHO, CP pistons are the best you can buy. mate them with some manley, crower, or pauter rods.

IMHO, CP pistons are the best you can buy. mate them with some manley, crower, or pauter rods.

:iagree:

I personally would suggest doing it correct once instead of doing it again later.

what do i do to hone my engine??? please respond

If you have a haynes manual it shows you how to do it. Personally I’d rather have the machine shop do it and do it properly.

BTW, here’s an update. I followed TurboG2teg311’s advice and ended up getting some SRP (JE) pistons, just shopping for some rods now. I originally was going to get them shot peened but for the price of shot peening, I figured I might as well spend the few extra bucks and upgrade the rods, that way I’d have something brand new.