Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Which piston to order Wiseco or Mahle?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-03-2014, 11:10 AM
  #1  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
 
ss performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southern NJ
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Which piston to order Wiseco or Mahle?

I'm about to order a rotating assembly and I was wondering which piston to order.

Wisco or Mahle? Also what pin diameter 2.100 or 2.000?

Any experiences, thoughts or input would be appreciated.

thanks
Old 04-03-2014, 11:20 AM
  #2  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
PlatnumStatuz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: north bay CA
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

my vote is for the mahles
Old 04-03-2014, 11:36 AM
  #3  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (83)
 
Gray86hatch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Battle Creek Mi
Posts: 2,388
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

What are your intended uses for the engine.

2.00 pin is nice Will free up a little power over the 2.100.

Tim
Old 04-03-2014, 01:31 PM
  #4  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
 
ss performance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Southern NJ
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

It's for a LQ4 based 408 NA street/strip.
Old 04-03-2014, 06:09 PM
  #5  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (19)
 
v8pwr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: florida
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Wiseco, the Mahle pistons are very nice but you get the stronger forging and a better ring package from Wiseco compared to the Mahle Power Pak. The Mahle Pro Series are awesome but you can get a great piston & ring set for not a lot of money from Wiseco. The steel top and napier second are durable and help make more power.
Old 04-03-2014, 06:46 PM
  #6  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
DREAMZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Hampton, VA
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I've read that Mahle's piston designs are top notch, came from an experience guy on this board, but I'm not sure the reality of it.
Old 04-03-2014, 07:37 PM
  #7  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (5)
 
Fat Jesus 808's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Creswell, Oregon
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I've ran quite a few sets of the Mahle Power packs in 4 cylinder applications. I wouldnt hesitate to use them in a LS
Old 04-03-2014, 07:41 PM
  #8  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Mike94ZLT1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Livonia, Mi
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Been running Mahle's for 7 years and ~40K trouble free miles in my car, I'm happy with them.
Old 04-03-2014, 08:13 PM
  #9  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
A.R. Shale Targa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Fredonia,WI
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

Can't go wrong with either. They both have the teflon skirt coating and the
Mahle's even have the thermal barrier coating on the top which is believed
to reject more heat back into the combustion chamber for better power. The
2.0" rod pin is said to offer more clearance for stroker applications and save
or minimalize grinding the block for rod interference.
Old 04-03-2014, 08:47 PM
  #10  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (19)
 
v8pwr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: florida
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I really like Mahle as well. They do have excellent designs and a lot of standard features. The Power Pak is a high quality setup but the Wiseco set is a better value for the reasons I stated. I would choose Mahle Pro Series over the Wiseco but they're expensive. The Mahle pistons do not come with a thermal coating on top. It's just a phosphate protective coating. The 2.000 rod journal can free up power and improve room for stroker cranks but some less expensive rods just put a smaller hole in the same rod. That negates some of the benefits. They are both good options but for slightly different applications.
Old 04-03-2014, 09:03 PM
  #11  
LS1Tech Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
COSPEED2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would run the Mahles over Wiseco any day. We have many rotating assemblies that will get you what you want. Feel free to pick our brain!
Any rod, any crank, most any setup.
I am not too sure about the power gains from a 2" pin to a 2.100" pin so I cannot comment on that nor any extra room that may be freed up. That depends on the rod/company and not really the pin per se.
Quite a few piston companies offer skirt coatings as an option while mahle has them no matter what, and they have the full piston coating as well on all the power pack series.
We have used them and sold them to customers that use them in some pretty wild setups and never had issues. Plus they also make most of the auto manuf pistons as well and they seem to be doing just fine.
Old 04-03-2014, 09:37 PM
  #12  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
intenseblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Can you give your opinion as to why Mahles are better? I'm doing a 383 and havent purchased bottom end yet.
Old 04-03-2014, 09:43 PM
  #13  
LS1Tech Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
COSPEED2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Over all the many piston companies I have used, I have never had a problem with blowby/oil consumption (with proper machining) on any LS engine I have personally done nor have they needed a catch can. They dont have issues with noise or any other problems either. The rings they come with work very well for a variety of uses. They have the skirt coating std as well as the full piston coating, which is possibly just a break in/dry film coating, but i cannot say that for 100% so dont quote me on it. They are available in a huge variety of styles and sizes and offered in 4032 or 2618 materials. I would use the 4032 for quite a few more applications than most would, for a few different reasons.

If you get the chance at PRI or another conference like that to talk to the Mahle guys, hit them up and you will find out why I like them so much.
Old 04-04-2014, 12:38 AM
  #14  
That's MISTER MODERATOR
iTrader: (9)
 
Paul Bell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,585
Received 42 Likes on 36 Posts

Default

Wiseco. Super factory help & support.
Old 04-04-2014, 08:35 AM
  #15  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (20)
 
EastTnZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Here's you some food for thought https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls1tech-s...d-pistons.html
Old 04-04-2014, 08:36 AM
  #16  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (20)
 
EastTnZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Im not biased toward either. Just came across this.
Old 04-04-2014, 09:22 AM
  #17  
TECH Regular
 
briannutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Hey there, as the Wiseco guy, I'd be curious to see what's up with that guys pistons. RMA number, where he got them from etc. etc. Exactly how untuned it was...etc. He may have sent them in, but I've never heard about it...normally I would. We've got our pistons in a lot of 7,8,9, second cars. Ring land near the intake pocket would be the failure point on any piston with big nitrous, but I've NEVER seen a cracked skirt on our pistons. Not saying the guy didn't have the problem, but I'd like some pictures and the story from his engine builder.
Old 04-04-2014, 12:47 PM
  #18  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (19)
 
v8pwr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: florida
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

COSPEED does not build any engines. Contact competent engine builders to see what they use. These pistons are utilized in different applications. The Mahle Power Pak is a more economical choice while the Wiseco is intended for more abusive applications. Mahle has a moly coated ring while Wiseco has the nitrided steel ring. Get the piston that best fits your application and you won't have any issues. Most piston failures come from incorrect application and use not the piston itself.
Old 04-04-2014, 01:00 PM
  #19  
LS1Tech Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
COSPEED2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by v8pwr
COSPEED does not build any engines. Contact competent engine builders to see what they use. These pistons are utilized in different applications. The Mahle Power Pak is a more economical choice while the Wiseco is intended for more abusive applications. Mahle has a moly coated ring while Wiseco has the nitrided steel ring. Get the piston that best fits your application and you won't have any issues. Most piston failures come from incorrect application and use not the piston itself.
Coloradospeed as an entity does not but I personally do. Ask before you trash sir.
Old 04-04-2014, 01:04 PM
  #20  
LS1Tech Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
COSPEED2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

And mahle makes alot more than a std ring. Does the term "hellfire" ring a bell? They also have custom made stainless steel pistons for a few tractor pull guys I know.


Quick Reply: Which piston to order Wiseco or Mahle?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:03 AM.