Euro piston question
 

When you convert a US spec Carrera to Euro compression, do you have to change out the cylinders or just install the new pistons?

Just new pistons and adjust the maximum ignition timing.

Thanks Henry. Now the burning question.....where do you find just the pistons? Every ad I have seen only offers the complete set.

Call in the AM and I'll check.

thanks, man.....just out of curiosity, what is the going rate for swapping out pistons asuming that there is nothing else wrong that needs to be fixed?

That would be a lot of money to pay for very little benefit. If nothing is wrong with your engine, I suggest that you leave it alone. There's not too much that you can do with a Carrera 3.2 without making it non-smog legal. See the Engine Rebuild book for details and suggestions...

-Wayne

LOL.....i just bought the necessary parts from YOU to make it non-smog legal. I live in Florida.......no inspections of any kind. Would the 3.4 conversion be a better bet?

Yes the 3.4 would be a better upgrade. I doubt you'd see even 10 HP with the euro pistons and you'll be in danger of detonation all the time. Like Wayne says...if your old pistons are ok why waste your money.

-Andy

why would i have detonation probs? we have 93 super unleaded in Florida which is the same as 98 RON euro gas.

All 3.2 ECUs have a retard/ advance adjustment to deal with higher compression and questionable octane content.

I would agree that there is little to gain but the truth is how would anyone know the cost was too high without knowing the cost?

Sometimes it seems like we have Porsche "whisperers" among us.

LOL!! True true Henry! Well met. The 'whispering' is all around us.

curious about the gains.....factory specs tell me that i would go from 207 to 231hp since I already have the pre-muffler and sport exhaust ready to be installed...thats a pretty good jump for $800-1000 in parts cost. 3.4 9.8 to 1 pistons and cylinders run about $4,500, right?

Be careful with sport mufflers.
On a stock 3.2 we measured a 4% horse power loss with a Borla sport muffler.
Horse power is a synergy of intake flow, cam, compression, ignition timing, fuel ratio and exhaust flow.
Changing one may cost rather than pay.