are trw pistons any good

David Lee · 10-20-2007, 09:05 PM

for a stocker motor or are they just for a standard rebuild?

Thanks

Dave

Speedracer · 10-20-2007, 10:56 PM

Probably too heavy.

Jim Cimarolli · 10-21-2007, 04:31 PM

David,

What kind of engine?

David Lee · 10-21-2007, 05:07 PM

Thanks for the reply Jim, its going to be a 1975 350 chevy nova in I/SA. The long term goal is to hand it over to my nephew who is now 14 and I will return to racing my Duster. I want to keep him on the straight and narrow and the drag strip and the people there are the perfect examples for him

I think we met long ago in Houston. I was with Jeff Ferguson and Mike Maryonne.

LouisJeffery · 10-21-2007, 05:44 PM

TRW pistons work great for LEGAL stocker engines.

Bruce Witherspoon · 10-21-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Lee

for a stocker motor or are they just for a standard rebuild?

Thanks

Dave

Dave,

I ran one of those motors for years and I will just say there are better choices. I used the TRW pistons for a while, and they used to be much nicer to the wallet but they have some issues.

David Lee · 10-21-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Witherspoon

Dave,

I ran one of those motors for years and I will just say there are better choices. I used the TRW pistons for a while, and they used to be much nicer to the wallet but they have some issues.

Can you expain what the issues are. I am not planning on a killer motor, that will come later. In the beginning it will be a bracket car and got to 3 or four div a year if I am lucky.

Bruce Witherspoon · 10-21-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Lee

Can you expain what the issues are. I am not planning on a killer motor, that will come later. In the beginning it will be a bracket car and got to 3 or four div a year if I am lucky.

Dave,

I sent you a PM.

Jim Cimarolli · 10-22-2007, 09:56 AM

Hey David,

Sorry it took me so long to get back on here. Like some of the other guys have already said, there are a lot better choices out there than the TRW stuff. The machine work in the ring land area is not that good and they are tough on the cylinder walls IMO.

Good Luck, and I do remember meeting you at Houston or Baton Rouge. Jim

Jeff Lee · 10-22-2007, 10:23 AM

There was a time when TRW pistons were affordable and there was little else to offer. Considering the cost of a new set today, those offered by CP, Ross, etc. are not only vastly superior in technology and quality, but the cost difference is negligible. Remember, ring seal and reducing friction is key to a fast engine. Both are difficult (but not impossible) with a inferior piston.
But if you have an old set laying around and just need to get it running on a tight budget, then go ahead. Have somebody prepare a high quality set of rings that are gapped, thinner with spacers and back-cut. Vertical clearance is important and can be adjusted with spacers. But you will not obtain the machining tolerance on the lands as offered by the other race piston manufacturers. Not out of the box anyways.

10-20-2007, 09:05 PM	#1
David Lee VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,168 Likes: 487 Liked 346 Times in 126 Posts	are trw pistons any good for a stocker motor or are they just for a standard rebuild? Thanks Dave

10-20-2007, 10:56 PM	#2
Speedracer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 59 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: are trw pistons any good Probably too heavy.

10-21-2007, 04:31 PM	#3
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 743 Likes: 146 Liked 166 Times in 46 Posts	Re: are trw pistons any good David, What kind of engine?

10-21-2007, 05:07 PM	#4
David Lee VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,168 Likes: 487 Liked 346 Times in 126 Posts	Re: are trw pistons any good Thanks for the reply Jim, its going to be a 1975 350 chevy nova in I/SA. The long term goal is to hand it over to my nephew who is now 14 and I will return to racing my Duster. I want to keep him on the straight and narrow and the drag strip and the people there are the perfect examples for him I think we met long ago in Houston. I was with Jeff Ferguson and Mike Maryonne. Last edited by David Lee; 10-21-2007 at 05:11 PM.

10-21-2007, 05:44 PM	#5
LouisJeffery Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Detroit Posts: 53 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: are trw pistons any good TRW pistons work great for LEGAL stocker engines. __________________ Louis Jeffery 3225 STK

10-22-2007, 09:56 AM	#9
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 743 Likes: 146 Liked 166 Times in 46 Posts	Re: are trw pistons any good Hey David, Sorry it took me so long to get back on here. Like some of the other guys have already said, there are a lot better choices out there than the TRW stuff. The machine work in the ring land area is not that good and they are tough on the cylinder walls IMO. Good Luck, and I do remember meeting you at Houston or Baton Rouge. Jim

10-22-2007, 10:23 AM	#10
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: are trw pistons any good There was a time when TRW pistons were affordable and there was little else to offer. Considering the cost of a new set today, those offered by CP, Ross, etc. are not only vastly superior in technology and quality, but the cost difference is negligible. Remember, ring seal and reducing friction is key to a fast engine. Both are difficult (but not impossible) with a inferior piston. But if you have an old set laying around and just need to get it running on a tight budget, then go ahead. Have somebody prepare a high quality set of rings that are gapped, thinner with spacers and back-cut. Vertical clearance is important and can be adjusted with spacers. But you will not obtain the machining tolerance on the lands as offered by the other race piston manufacturers. Not out of the box anyways. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX