Home » Engine » Pistons
At the heart of every internal combustion engine, you’ll find the pistons. These cylindrical metal components play a crucial role in converting the energy produced by the engine’s combustion process into mechanical power. Pistons bear the brunt of the combustion force within the chamber, and through a piston pin, they connect to a rod that powers the crankshaft. Each piston is fitted with three flexible piston rings that create an airtight seal once inside the engine cylinder, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
Pistons are typically made from materials like cast iron, steel, or aluminium alloy. The choice of material depends on the specific requirements of the engine, with each offering unique advantages. For instance, aluminium alloy pistons are lightweight and excellent at heat dissipation, making them ideal for high-performance engines.
Replacement pistons can offer many advantages over stock pistons. They can be made from stronger or denser materials, and they can be specially prepared through processes like forging or heat treatment for higher durability and tolerances. The surface finish of pistons can also vary between manufacturers, affecting factors like friction and heat transfer.
For those seeking to build an engine capable of enduring high load, constant load, or both (think endurance racing like Le Mans 24), forging and billet pistons are excellent upgrade options. Forged pistons are made from a single piece of metal that’s heated and shaped under pressure, resulting in a denser and stronger piston. This increased density allows for higher engine compression, which can increase power output and the available RPM range.
Billet pistons, on the other hand, are machined from a solid block of metal. While they’re more expensive than forged pistons, they offer the highest level of customization and precision, making them a popular choice for high-performance and racing applications.
When you’re looking to take your engine’s performance to the next level, modifying the pistons can be a great place to start. One common modification is to increase the engine’s displacement. This can be achieved by creating a wider piston cylinder bore or using a stroker kit to extend the connecting rod for a deeper stroke. Both of these modifications increase the engine’s displacement, which can lead to a significant increase in power output.