Watts Shop Performance
Home
Contacts
About Us
Camshafts
heads
Valvetrain
Friends of the WSP
Vids/Pics
Links
Intake
Cranks
Exhaust
Classifieds
Metals
Transmissions
Cryogenics
Calculator
Rods
Camshafts Custom
Camshafts LT4 Hot
Camshafts LS1
Camshafts Chevy
Camshafts Ford
Camshafts Street
Camshafts Race
Camshafts Blower
Camshafts NOS
Camshafts Solid Roller
Camshafts Hydroulic
Camshafts
Pistons
Pistons
           Virtually all automotive pistons are aluminum, but the quality and
manufacturing processes vary. At the bottom of the pecking order is the
common cast piston. Performance HYPEREUTECTIC cast pistons are
strengthened with additional silicon content in the aluminum brew. This leads
to formation of aluminum-silicon particles as the alloy freezes.                             
                                                     
                                                       
      While more costly to manufacture, forged pistons have inherent
advantages over castings in terms of density, real-world strength and
durability. Forging eliminates metal porosity, improves ductility and generally
allows the piston to run cooler than a casting. Within reason, forgings can be
lightened without adversely affecting structural integrity. However, forged
pistons expand and contract more under changing tempertures, so they
traditionally require greater piston-to-wall clearance than cast pistons. In
recent years CNC manufacturing has permitted greater sophistication in skirt
design, reducing wear even as piston-to -wall clearances are tightened up.       
                                                                   

             One of most important advantages of forged pistons is what happens
at the point of piston failure. Under extreme conditions- like detonation-
forgings tend to "go plastic" and fail gradually. There's generally time to
replace them before the entire engine is toast. Hypereutetics, although
relatively strong in terms of ultimate tensile strength, have less ductility and
are prone to failure when theirs limits are exceeded. On the other hand,
custom forgings are generally more costly.                                  
         Forged pistons are generally made from one of several different
aluminum alloys, with each offering different benefits depending on the
application. The two most popular alloys are 4032 and 2618. Speed-Pro
typically uses VMS-75, which is fairly close to 4032- both contain about 11%
silicon, which helps ring groove and skirt durability. These are the best choice
for applications expected to have decent longevity, such as street vehicles
and entry- level bracket racing and oval track combos. Although 2618 has
better high- temperature charcteristics, it contanins virtually no silicon; 2618
expands and contracts more, so greater bore clearances are needed to
prevent scuffing. Pistons using 2618 are best suited to nitrous, blowers or
high- end race applications where frequent inspection and replacement are
not a problem.                                                                                 

          A recent innovation is "Ultralloy", A patented ceramic- aluminum alloy
presently available. Ultralloy's composite products have unprecedented
uniformity in terms of thier size, shape and dispersion in the aluminum martix.
The new alloy's strength is on par with titanium, but parts made from it cost
less and weigh less.                      
Heads
Ported Heads
LT1 Heads
LT4 Heads
LS1 Heads
Chevy Heads
Ford Heads
Custom Head Work
Valvetrain
Valve Spring Retainers
Titanium Retainers
Chrom Moly Retainers
7 Degree Retainers
10 Degree Retainers
Solid Roller Lifters
Pop Up Lifters
Vertical Bar Lifters
Chevy Lifters
Ford Lifters
Mopar Lifters
Pontiac Lifters
Olds Lifters
Intake
Ported Intake
Intake Machining
Intake Spacer
Carburetor Spacer
Intake Insert
Intake "Turtle"
EFI
ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

LT1 ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

LT4 ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

LS1 ECM/PCM
Reprogramming  

OBD II Reprogramming
Transmissions
GM Transmissions
200-R4
700-R4
TH 350
TH 375
TH 400
4L80E  

Ford Transmissions
AOD
AODE
4EOD
C4
C6
Torqushift  
Dodge Transmissions
47RH
47RE
48RE
Torquflit  

Transmission Parts
Classifieds
Parts For Sale
Clearance Items
Overstock Items
Used Parts
New Parts
Track Adhesive


EFI