I just had to ask this question since 9 out of 10 motor builds i come across all talk about using ITR/CTR cast pistons. I just don't really understand the logic. The Honda ITR pistons are roughly $300 a set with rings. They are still a cast bean counter cheap piston with cast rings. For roughly $100 more you can get Supertech and Mahle's far better 4032 forged piston which you can set up with just as tight of piston to wall clearance. i don't know what rings supertechs use but the mahle stuff is nitraded steel. thin, strong and a hell of a lot better than OE stuff. both of the pistons i mention are substantially lighter as well. 270g VS 310g of the type r. i mean, i can understand the cheap nippon replicas since they are...well...cheap in cost for those doing budget builds. i just can't quite figure why anyone would spend $300 on cast pistons when better choices are bairly more money.

 

I understand what your saying and thats true but most people wouldn't want to spend more money for the same thing. And in fact you could get ITR/CTR pistons and rings for cheaper if you search around. I found some for under $200 with rods that has about 35k miles and all it needed was some little cleaning. Til this day it stil runs fine to me, in fact it funs better than fine! That extra money you save could go into some other parts.

 

and also if you were to replace some parts in the future, say rings, i would say the ITR/CTR rings would be alot cheaper than those from supertech and mahles.

 

the reason we run p30s is that you can find a used set cheap, and they are easy to get a hold of

 

some of the reason for the OEM pistons is the really really high silicon content of the pistons, tight tolerances (great for emissions) and extremely tight piston to wall clearance especially with the moly coated skirts, forged pistons have that initial start piston slap and a lil smoke too until warmed up, but for a factory motor to handle this kind of abuse and still live to 100,000 miles, decent stuff, but my first choice for non-pistons are mahle's for sure

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by swgateg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the reason we run p30s is that you can find a used set cheap, and they are easy to get a hold of</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL i so totally believe this.


also, high silicon forged pistons like mahle's can be set with .0025 piston to wall clearance. that means no slap, no smoke, no emissions problems. the cheap and easy to set up part of some of the low mile factory stuff and RS pretty much gave me the idea. especially if you don't overbore. the cast ones drop in and work with factory clearances. good points guys

 

the history behind using the CTR and ITR pistons was cause there were not that many companies out there fabricating aftermarket pistons for the b-block or if they were it was custom made and that meant $$$$$.. so best option was to find the OEM part #### and order it from local stealership.
So this is old school and it comes way back from the 3tc era (hope u understand 3tc)

 

3tc sounds like toyota from waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the day. my very first car was a 1976 celica with the 18rc engine. bringing back memories

 

duh - two syllables:

TYPE R.

having that label allows the said item to have a ridiculous price and the shunting of those people who question of it.

i'm with you idrivesideways, but any time you question the validity of why someone does something here, you're labeled as a hater.

but the previous answers hold true, OE build quality, reliability, and R&D are rather important. so thats probably why they're still sought after.


Modified by Spec R at 11:46 PM 9/28/2008

 

OE and availability

 

because most people don't see the worthiness of forged pistons in a daily driver.

 

sense of security i guess?... actually I know someone that put a hole through their forged piston...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vietnamezerice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sense of security i guess?... actually I know someone that put a hole through their forged piston... </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL if they put a hole in a forged piston a cast one would have shattered