Austarion

Hi all I'm new to the forums.

I don't own a Starion but I do have an EX lancer GSR which has the engine very similar to a Cordias.

My current setup consists of a 2L head and the 1800 bottom end but it has recently stripped the ring lands of no. 2 piston and requires a rebuild.

Hence, it is now time to build a 2L bottom end from a starion.

I'm picking up the bottom end in the weekend and plan to recondition it with new pistons, rings bearings etc. but retaining the rods and crank.

The question I have is regarding the pistons. I have been told that fitting VR4 pistons to the 8 valve block and head will lower the compression to an undesirable levl ie. 5:1. I don't really have the cah to spend on an expensive set of jes and rod bolts so a better piston like the VR pistons is my only option at the mo.
Does anyone have experience with results from rebuilding an 8 valve engine using VR or similar pistons and if so what were the results?

if thi isn't viable is there a certain model of je pistons made to suit the 8 valve engine or are they the same for all early model 4G63s.

Sorry for the long rant.
But any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Where abouts in NZ are you? I might be able to put you onto some second hand forged pistons for a starion.

Fitting the 16v VR4 pistons to starion block+head is a no go im pretty sure, the indentations for the valves are in the wrong place(s). If your after a performance bottom end that is also reliable, theres just no real way to do things by halves :(.

Nice car btw, very rare :).

I'm actually from Palmerston North. I'll have to add that to my profile.

I was always of the opinion that the indentations in the tops of pistons were to increase the combustion chamber capacity and hence lower compression. Thats why flat top pistons are used in high power n/a applications - to up the compression.

I could be wrong though? :?

you cant fit 16v pistons to a 8v head...that is unless you also fit the 16v head...but then you will need some bling bling..$$$$

maybe save up a lil more, use forged pistons if you have plans for a few ponies

If I am to go for forged pistons which sounds like the main concensus, Is there a particular model no. of JE pistons that suit the 8 valve starion?

If so does anyone have it handy? and if not which JEs get used in an 8 valve build? I've read that a number of you have them in your engines so I'm sure someone will be able to tel me.

Cheers for the help guys.

We're both correct :) The starion turbo pistons have the heart shaped dish to help with combustion, but the vr4 pistions have cut-outs for the valves that do not mesh well with an 8v head.

A part number for the JE's i cant help with directly, but there is a company down here called 'Import Parts Specialists' that race a starion, last time i was there i sifted through a box of old parts and saw atleast one complete set of oversize JE forgies (i *think* 20 thou). Their number is 0800 657 544, give em a ring, you might get lucky, or they might be able to help you with the JE part number your after.

Im very interested in any pics you might have of your car, i love that old shape, had one myself not long ago, with a 2l sigma engine and a few tweaks, but was a bit to 'boganised' for my liking, so i flicked it on.

Cheers for the number. I gave them a ring but the guy I needed to talk to was out so I guess I'll have to try them on Monday.

With regards to obtaining and fitting forgies to an 8 valve engine. I hear that they come as a flat top and then have to be machined to suit. Can anyone elaborate on this ie. Where and how hard it is to get done and what sort of additional cost it might be?

Your help is much appreciated.