AA Pistons and Biral cylinders for 2.2 E

TR · 03-14-2009, 08:20 AM

Hi
Can any one tell me if AA pistons and cylinders are any good? I need a new set but the price of Mahle for the early cars is just stupid.

If you have used AA products any feed back on them would be good.

Also has anyone bought piston and cylinder kits on E-bay? they appear to be fairly competitively priced?

Any other advice is always welcome. A reputable Porsche shop in Germany has said go with stock Mahle 84mm pistons and barrels which are the same price as 911S assays. Seems a bit pricey considering the 911E pistons aren't forged.

Alternatively, any experience on having your old cylinders re-bored and after market pistons fitted. I would like to keep the motor as stock as possible so I am after the same dome shape as on the 2.2 911E piston. I don't think forged is necessary but would go that way if I have to.

I will be doing the rebuild so I don't want any silly tolerance issues popping up. power isn't the issue with this rebuild as I already have a performance motor in the car.

cheers and thanks.

kenikh · 03-17-2009, 08:24 AM

Never heard of AA - buyer beware. Another reasonable alternative is QSC cylinders and JE psitons from Supertec. Pelican doesn't sell the QSCs and if you buy them off of Ebay, it is a crapshoot. Henry inspectes every set, so although a bit more expensive, you get good stuff. Still much cheaper than Mahle or Nickies.

Me? I went the JE/Nickie route. Still cheaper than Mahle.

ajwans · 03-17-2009, 03:01 PM

Just a word of warning, one of the sellers of AA pistons on eBay is
well known around here to NOT deliver said products.

andy

TR · 03-18-2009, 02:29 AM

Hi
I have looked at the e-bay sellers and you can see who the culprit is. What I don't know is, are the pistons and cylinders reliable.

Thanks for the advice though.

On the other advice I don't have piston squirters, apparently I should, if I have the nickies! Is that correct?

Henry Schmidt · Henry Schmidt's Garage

We were given a set to inspect and the results of that inspection were good.
A&A has been in the Porsche after market piston and cylinder business for perhaps 10-12 years. Their main product was an 86 mm 356/912 kit.
Those products have proven themselves over the years to be a top quality replacement.
We see little or no issue in using the A&A products as long as you QC the products before installing them.
We were completely satisfied with the products we received and will probably offer these products for sale in the near future.
It is our policy to test products before we sell them so we built a 73 2.4 using these P&Cs as a test mule.
So far they are performing well and we anticipate that they will offer good service for years to come.
If the choice is used Mahles near the wear limit or the new A&A products, I would opt for the new A&A.
They offer 2 compression ratios for long and short stroke cranks. The high compression pistons on the long crank will theoretically produce over 10:1. These are cast pistons and I believe this application may exceed the limits of any cast piston. This concern is based on years of using 2.2 E pistons on a long stroke crank with less than satisfactory results. If you want high compression I recommend the A&A biral cylinders with JE or equivalent pistons.
In conclusion: The A&A piston and cylinder set is a nice option if budget is a primary concern. In today's economy it generally is.

kenikh · 03-18-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrance Raath

On the other advice I don't have piston squirters, apparently I should, if I have the nickies! Is that correct?

I talked to Charles at LN last year and he said while squirters are nice, on smaller engines that don't rev really high, they are not imperative.

Henry Schmidt · Henry Schmidt's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenikh

I talked to Charles at LN last year and he said while squirters are nice, on smaller engines that don't rev really high, they are not imperative.

I like Charles and he knows a great deal about cylinders and lubricating properties of oil but I would think that the piston/ cylinder material and the heat generation not the bore diameter or piston speed would be the determining factors in a decision about piston squirters.

TR · 03-18-2009, 11:05 AM

All points have been noted and appreciated. Looks like I will have to make additional decisions on which way to go.

thanks

super9064 · 02-28-2010, 06:47 AM

Henry, would you elaborate on this statement. This concern is based on years of using 2.2 E pistons on a long stroke crank with less than satisfactory results.
I have a 2.2T that was rebuilt by the previous owner with 2.2E pistons and cylinders, 40mm carbs, I added E cams and distributor. My car is currently in California and I was thinking of sending you the car to have a refresh with a long stroke crank while it was there.