ok so i'm slowly making progress..

[UncleBen]

I picked up a longblock KA along with a few other various pieces of the motor, and my plan is as follows: sending the rods off to get shotpeened, buying low compression 8.5:1 oversized pistons, getting the block machined and bored .020 over to account for the biggers pistons. I am going to try and concentrate on just the bottom end right now anyway, my budget is seriously limited for now. I'm not sure but from what I have heard rings dont come w/ the pistons, and I want to buy some good rings for them. I've heard good things from zero gap rings, total seal, etc. What are everyones recomendations? I'm curious of everyones thoughts, let me know what you think.

[Structure240sx]

most pistons come with rings. go to ka24de.com

[MarkEmark]

most pistons come with rings. go to ka24de.com

True, but that brings up a good question: are the rings that come with forged pistons (eg, Wiseco, Ross, Arias, JE Racing, CP, etc etc) "good" and "durable" enough for boost? If the first thing that goes on the OEM pistons are the rings, I want to make sure the rings I'm using with forged pistons are durable and capable of high boost and plenty of abuse.

[fiznat]

the Ross pistons I bought from KA24DE.com came with total seal rings. My machine shop guy (who I trust totally due to his experience and reputation) said that they are excellent rings.

[Structure240sx]

its not the stock rings on stock pistons that are really what is the weak point.

its that the ring lands are so small. if you compare them to an aftermarket piston you will see that they are much much thicker

[Structure240sx]

btw i beleive my rings are total seal on my ross pistons

[DRIFTEADOR]

its not the stock rings on stock pistons that are really what is the weak point.

its that the ring lands are so small. if you compare them to an aftermarket piston you will see that they are much much thicker

any rings will work as long as theyrefiled correctly

[UncleBen]

Fiznat, thats exactly what I was planning on doing, is buying the ROSS pistons from ka24de.com, and since they come w/ total seal rings, I'll definately be picking those up in the hopefully near future, thanks guys.

[N.O. Accorderz]

i'm in the same boat as your are...building a block for a kat but on a tight budget...i found that the "cheapest priced" forged pistons were from Wiseco...i think they were 419 at importperformanceparts.com/net...but i've talked to alot of engine builders and they strongly recommend wiseco

[Structure240sx]

wiseco is what rick (95 240sx) is using on his 533rwhp kat

[MarkEmark]

i'm in the same boat as your are...building a block for a kat but on a tight budget...i found that the "cheapest priced" forged pistons were from Wiseco...i think they were 419 at importperformanceparts.com/net...but i've talked to alot of engine builders and they strongly recommend wiseco

That's what I'm planning on using...the 9:1 Wiseco's. I'd rather run 9:1 than 8.5:1 especially if I'm only looking for "modest" amounts of power (around 330 rwhp). But yeah, i hear good things about total seal piston rings...my dad runs them with his JE racing pistons in his 11.2:1 N/A alfa romeo engine and has no complaints. I wonder if Rick is using just the rings that came with the wiseco's or if he's using some "better" brand rings...

[UncleBen]

wow, those wiseco's seem like a good deal...I'm also curious as to the rings used w/ the pistons to make that kind of power.