Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 00:28:05 -0400
From: EIPTUNING@aol.com
Subject: Re: RMR Autosport and EIP's 3.1

In a message dated 96-06-19 17:26:25 EDT, you write:

>  Now correct me if I am wrong, but forged pistons suck oil, and do 
>not last as long as a cast piston (all things being equal, of 
>course).   Forged pistons require the extra clearance between the 
>piston and the block due to the expansion/contraction of the engine's 
>heat cycles.  Therefore, a forged piston engine will eat about a 
>quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so, and it simply will wear out 
>faster.  The only advantage of a forge piston is its light weight, 
>making it ideal for racing ONLY.  
>
>

Tom,

I must disagree with you on mostly all points except the fact that forged
pistons do require additional piston / bore clearence as opposed to a cast
piston.

First point : Forged pistons do not suck oil. The rate of oil consumption
varies as much between forged piston engines as they do between cast piston
engines. It completely depends on how the engine is designed and built.

Second : As for the longevity of forged pistons, this again greatly depends
on the design and building of the engine in question.

Third : As for the advantages of forged pistons, there are many besides
weight. In fact weight is a fairly minor advantage of forged pistons. Fact is
forged pistons are MUCH MUCH stronger than their cast counter parts, the
endure MUCH greater temperatures and pressures without compromising their
structural integrity. Their ability to transfer heat "shrug it off" is also
superior to cast pistons, the advantage here is reduced detonation even at
high compression or boost. 

The main thing to keep in mind is that we choose not to simply drop in any
old set of forged pistons that replicate cast ones as many have done and
continue to do. We design each set of pistons to work with each engine
design. We utilize many different high performance coatings and processes to
ensure the best possible piston design, to GREATLY reduce the necessary
clearances, to reduce noise, reduce oil consumption, and to eliminate the
"diesel" sound that has in the past been synonymous with forged pistons. 

Most auto manufacturers, including VW consider 1 quart of oil to be consumed
in 1K miles as permissible. We on the other hand do not. We are working each
day to make better VW engines and designs. Our VR6 pistons were redesigned
three times before release to the public. Our in house 3.0L VR6 C uses less
than 1 quart of oil in 3000 miles. Even under Extreme use these figures don▓t
change much. The latest design forged pistons that we have used have even
more "bells & whistles" to further reduce oil consumption and detonation. BTW
even on 87 octane fuel our 11:1 compression 3.0 & 3.1L engines do not
detonate !!  

Well gotta go. Thanks for the questions, I definitely prefer the opportunity
to explain our products design  rather than always reading the ramblings of
many whom have never even seen a set of forged pistons yet claim to know how
they work. Better still are those who can explain the function and design of
our Big Valve VR6 cylinder head and VR6 High Flow intake without ever having
seen them. Hope this didn▓t sound bitter, just some observations.

C YA Tom,

-----> RICH !! <------