Pistons vs Headspacer, Rods for Bottom End

[ejg3855]

1 - I have read multiple places the bottom end is good for over 500whp, but then I have had people tell me they have heard 400 is where you should invest in rods. So whats the story?


2 - If you have the engine apart to clean/rebuild it wouldn't it make more sense to go with a 9:1 piston instead of a thicker head gasket? Sans the Cost?


3 - What is the problem with running boost on the higher compression? the 20v guys run 10:1 and then 25psi. Is this tuning problem? is it engine design ?

[Slayer]

There's no set limit, it's all a guessing game. Headspacers work fine, but its a bandaid. To do it right, rods and pistons is the way to go

As for the 1.8t guys, those are completely different motors with alot fancier ecu's, so they can deal with pulling timing and such better than the old vr6 ecu's can

[ejg3855]

so the compression issue is more or less a ecu tuning battle? This is easily over come on AFP (mk4 12v) ecus ? Or running standalone I would assume.

I just don't want to build a motor limited if mid 90's ecu tech is the reason.

[Slayer]

I would still stick with say 9:1 rather than trying to go higher, even if you run standalone. It gives you alot more leeway, and less chance of a melted engine

[TBT-Syncro]

As for the 1.8t guys, those are completely different motors with alot fancier ecu's, so they can deal with pulling timing and such better than the old vr6 ecu's can

how so?

[TBT-Syncro]

3 - What is the problem with running boost on the higher compression? the 20v guys run 10:1 and then 25psi. Is this tuning problem? is it engine design ?

better head and combustion chamber design