Is there any benefits of polishing the tops of the factory cast pistons to a mirror finish?

 

I can understand removing rough or abnormal high spots but I dont see the benifit of actually polishing the piston tops although some shops do polish the head combustion chamber but that is usually to prevent predetionation. They will look pretty... Untill the first time you start the car.

 

Polishing removes material to uptain that "mirror" finish. Any amount of material removed could lower compression even in the most minor of numbers. Another concern might be that one piston may have lost more top material then another which would create different compression numbers throughout the cylinders. That out come would not be desirable. Either way the effects would be THAT drastic. I would suggest to not waste your time. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions. -HIT

 

only benifits is that it makes it harder for carbon build up to stick on the pistons. Well, that's what I read in a magazine-i forgot which one(SS,SCC,Turbo)

 

Talk to Larry at Endyn....He does an nice finishing job on his wiseco/endyn pistons...I have a set and theres no sharp edges...just nice smooth finish!

 

I'm not sure what to think about it. Micropolishing will prevent detonation. On the other hand, it could ensure a smoother flow in the chamber which is not too good for a complete burn. You have to have turbulence for a good burn. I know it but I can't quite explain it since I don't fully understant the dynamics of it. But then again we are talking of very minor details. You'd be barely scratching tenths of hps, if you were to make any gains.

 

The main reason I would do it would be to try and prevent any detonation. I wander if this would do more harm than good?

 

Yeah, you can go through less of a hassle by just putting higher octane gas in the engine, or you could also work with the timing, if not on the cams directly, by your distributor box.

 

it all has to do with hot spots on the pistons dome.. if you are using a high compression piston the dome will usually come to a point. sometimes there is more material there then needed, so some people use steel wool to remove this excess material. it really just has to do with preference. i suggest just tune your car right and you won't have any problems...

 

Polishing doesn't help much. The only thing that should be done (if it hasn't allready been done) is to lightly sand down sharp edges or real square corners or edges. (usually the pistons top edge)

 

I did it on my b2 y8 mini build with no problems
http://www.theoldone.com/articles/en...ppistons1.html

 

9 year old thread resurrection!

 

polishing i would stay away from. smoothing and reworking sharp edges on the pistons are were its at