Used pistons and cylinders value Options

[jmargush]

Is there a value/ market for used pistons and cylinders?
Particularly 1.8

Or is it just as good to scrap them for aluminum and steel $?

[friethmiller]

Is there a value/ market for used pistons and cylinders?
Particularly 1.8

Or is it just as good to scrap them for aluminum and steel $?

Original German cylinders are valuable and should NOT be scrapped. My old 1.8 cylinders are currently being bored to 96mm. Can’t help you on price though, sorry.

[sixnotfour]

$$$

[jmargush]

$$$

$$$ ?

Did that mean scrap for money?

As far as boring then it when i did my 2056 i couldn't find anyone willing to bore out cylinders. Everybody was saying it wasn't cost effective.

Any markings on cylinders to show they are German ones

[porschetub]

Scrap sorry ...thats the way it is ,cheers.

[Jamie]

Scrap sorry ...thats the way it is ,cheers.

I've seen pistons converted into P-car collector ashtrays! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[friethmiller]

$$$

$$$ ?

Did that mean scrap for money?

As far as boring then it when i did my 2056 i couldn't find anyone willing to bore out cylinders. Everybody was saying it wasn't cost effective.

Any markings on cylinders to show they are German ones

Cost effective? Compared to what? The cheap/inferior cylinders made today? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) @Ninja ... anyone... back me up here, please.

[Ninja]

If I was going to build a T4 and didn't have the $$$ for real Nickies I would ONLY use original German jugs, and I'd HAVE to find a machine shop that could bore 94 stockers out to 96.

I've seen too much recent crap in the aftermarket to truly trust ANYTHING anymore.

I'm running 95% OEM manufacture (when available) or just buying from the freaking dealer now...
I run an automotive AC specialist shop and I'm referring to normal "appliance" car parts in the previous statement.

Parts have sky-rocketed in price in the last 12 months.

Look to motorcycle machine shops for machining jugs.

I have a set of decent original 94s now. They need to be bored but their basic condition is excellent. I'm planning on converting my teener to something water cooled but I will not sell these jugs UNTIL I'm 100% sure I won't use them...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

[didenpx]

I'm so glad this topic came up!

I'm looking at re-commissioning a stroker engine with 103mm cylinders that I acquired along with some parts cars and miscellaneous stuff. I've been mulling cylinder options (recondition the ones that came with the engine, buy new cast iron cylinders from one of the usual suspects, or open the wallet for Nickies).

I'm assuming that the cast iron cylinders that are available now are likely all coming from the same source somewhere in the PRC. Aside from the usual considerations of the longevity of large displacement cast iron cylinders, what is the consensus on quality of manufacture, etc.?

[Ninja]

The original poster's question...

If you NEED cast iron cylinders, I'd value a decent set of 4 that could be machined at $100 max.

If you don't need them, they are worth NOTHING!

Iron is .03 to .08 per pound...

It will cost more to take them to the scrappers than they are worth!

Now, if you are like me and have a shell that you are going to send across the scales throwing your scrap iron into it make sense.

I recycle almost everything except iron...

@didenpx
You are between a rock and a hard place...
You've got exotic stuff right now.

I'd hope to salvage what you have first. Running loose clearances on forged parts is not a deal killer in my book. I would have to inspect what you have to make a determination.

2nd (and best option) is Nickies. Just too freaking expensive!

Past that point I'd want to know what LN would use for iron 103MM jugs...

[Superhawk996]

Cost effective? Compared to what? The cheap/inferior cylinders made today? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) @Ninja ... anyone... back me up here, please.

Although neither you nor ninja are wrong I’ll offer a different perspective.

Let’s say core cylinders are worth $100.

Bore and hone of a cylinder is now pushing $100 PER cylinder and the finish quality is highly dependent on the skill of the machinist and the rigidity of the equipment used to do the boring.

So now we are approaching $500 for the cylinders but still need a set of pistons, rings and wrist pins.

So what’s the final cost? Maybe approaching $900?

The reality is that If you’re building something close to stock or a 2056, a set of AA pistons and cylinders at $500 is going to get the job done for those folks.

Sure you’ll need to verify the quality of the AA cylinders both for casting flaws as well as roundness, taper, and surface finish. However, you’ll need do that too for anything that you have bored by a machine shop. Anyone that is building engines without verifying the quality, fit and finish of parts prior to assembly is just asking for trouble.

Competent machine shops are about as hard to find as quality aftermarket parts now.

Your results may vary depending on access to dependable machine shops and their costs.

[930cabman]

I have been running AA pistons/cylinders for several years, rings seated quickly, runs like a top, for me they are a great value.

I'd like to think the original cast iron cylinders could be opened up, but adding all the costs, it seems like a bust

[Shivers]

I have been known to carve pistons from time to time. Maybe put them on Facebook for a few bucks and mention carving.

[Ninja]

Cost effective? Compared to what? The cheap/inferior cylinders made today? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) @Ninja ... anyone... back me up here, please.

Although neither you nor ninja are wrong I’ll offer a different perspective.

Let’s say core cylinders are worth $100.

Bore and hone of a cylinder is now pushing $100 PER cylinder and the finish quality is highly dependent on the skill of the machinist and the rigidity of the equipment used to do the boring.

So now we are approaching $500 for the cylinders but still need a set of pistons, rings and wrist pins.

So what’s the final cost? Maybe approaching $900?

The reality is that If you’re building something close to stock or a 2056, a set of AA pistons and cylinders at $500 is going to get the job done for those folks.

Sure you’ll need to verify the quality of the AA cylinders both for casting flaws as well as roundness, taper, and surface finish. However, you’ll need do that too for anything that you have bored by a machine shop. Anyone that is building engines without verifying the quality, fit and finish of parts prior to assembly is just asking for trouble.

Competent machine shops are about as hard to find as quality aftermarket parts now.

Your results may vary depending on access to dependable machine shops and their costs.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
He's right!
I am an ASE Master machinist (doesn't mean shit!) and I am PICKY about my machine shop. Most machine shops don't make the grade...

The machine shop HAS to be owned by a machinist who is actually doing the work!

And even then the posts on here show a trend. Iann Karr had an engine machined by a well known and respected shop and they BOTCHED the line bore! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Now, the owner didn't do that, one of his flunkies did (and it didn't get caught in time).

Even the best machine shops all send tags that say "check your stuff before assembly" and they mean it.
You catch something during assembly, and they will fix it up fine.

Bolt that puppy together and suffer a complete loss...
You're BORKED, you trashed it and they will tell you to take a hike (and they SHOULD IMO).

I can see higher quality and accuracy in the German jugs over Chinese.
I no longer warranty Chinese parts at all.

This type of BS and the lack of affordable high-quality parts played heavily on my decision to "embrace the water" and convert.

[Ninja]

I have been known to carve pistons from time to time. Maybe put them on Facebook for a few bucks and mention carving.

Too COOL!

I want that!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

[Jack Standz]

Is there a value/ market for used pistons and cylinders?
Particularly 1.8

Or is it just as good to scrap them for aluminum and steel $?

Original German cylinders are valuable and should NOT be scrapped. My old 1.8 cylinders are currently being bored to 96mm. Can’t help you on price though, sorry.

Please let us know how it works out when you get them back and you measure them. Who is doing the work and the cost too please.

Started assembling parts for a 2.3 liter and have been toying with the idea of boring the cylinders myself, not so much to save $$, but to control the process and (hopefully) end up with good cylinders. Not sure how feasible boring them myself will be.

The metallurgy and quality of original cylinders is supposed to be far superior to currently available new cylinders.

[mepstein]

My opinion, unless you have a use for them now, they are scrap.

[Superhawk996]

The metallurgy and quality of original cylinders is supposed to be far superior to currently available new cylinders.

Don’t take this the wrong way.

Where’s the data? We’ve all seen the internet claims but has anyone actually done a metallurgical analysis. I surely haven’t seen it but would love to see it if it exists.

Don’t get me wrong there is plenty of crap out there and it’s getting worse but I’ve also seen plenty of crap quality come out of Porsche within recent memory too.

Not trying to pick on AA pistons, Porsche or anyone else. There is some insanely high quality metal that comes out of China. It just isn’t cheap and I certainly don’t want to imply that it is in cheap aftermarket parts. In much the same manner, it’s a disservice to say it’s all crap (not what you did - not accusing here).

I’m consistently disappointed that the aftermarket doesn’t do a better job of actually specifying what standards their parts meet. It’s usually some generic crap like meets or exceeds OEM standards which is often not quite true.

[Ninja]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Yes, the Chinese HAVE the technology to produce top shelf parts!

They just don't do it...

If it says "Made in China" it needs to be blueprinted (and maybe x-rayed!).

If it says "Made in Germany" it doesn't.

If it says "Made in Japan" you can use that as a "standard" to verify the accuracy of your measuring devices!

Most of the parts on new Japanese cars here are no longer made in Japan and I can tell the difference!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)

[Aayala]

I was also going to ask this question, but in my case my question was are these basically scrap now? The outside fins are somewhat rusty, the #1 cylinder was seized in the engine because the piston rings rusted to the cylinder. I felt bad throwing them straight in the trash but if that is basically scrap or if anyone had a use for them then I would give them up. I already got a set of AA Pistons and cylinders for a big bore 96mm. this is also in my 1.8L engine. Is there any benefit of scrapping and getting any cash for it or just trash?