Do I have Kolbenschmidt or Mahle pistons on my `87 3.2 ?

[PeterM]

How do I find out ?

Engine is in the car.

Can I see from Engine s/n or are there markings on the cylinders that are visible when the engine is assembled ?

[Josh D]

Count the number of cooling fins on the cylinder barrels.

10 = KS
11 = Mahle

[KTL]

The question you also want to ask is, are they alusil or nikasil pistons. Mahle made both types in the 1970s and Kolbenschmidt always made only alusil. However I think by 1987 Mahle was only making nikasil pistons and cylinders

You can identify what cylinders you have by the markings on the top of them (intake side of the engine) at the base of the cylinder where it meets the engine case. Mahle will say MAHLE very clearly in big capital letters. Kolbenschmidt will have a KS logo that looks like a $ that is left of the numbers on the cylinder

What Cylinders do i have?

[gtc]

Originally Posted by KTL

The question you also want to ask is, are they alusil or nikasil pistons. Mahle made both types in the 1970s and Kolbenschmidt always made only alusil. However I think by 1987 Mahle was only making nikasil pistons and cylinders

Did you mean to type cylinders? Or are there different types of pistons as well?

[KTL]

Graham,

No, I did mean to type pistons. Alusil cylinders require alusil pistons (be they Mahle or KS) and nikasil Ps go with nikasil Cs.

The pistons themselves are not alusil or nikasil material per se'. However the pistons are made of different metals that are required to behave properly with their respective cylinders. For instance the alusil pistons from KS are ferro-coated (iron-plated) to deal with the alusil material. Nikasil pistons are different. Can't recall the difference right now.

Also, if i'm not mistaken, the Mahle pistons were forged where the KS pistons are cast? That's my recollection from the 84-88 Carrera spec book from Porsche. I'll have to check that when I get home shortly.

[bryant4]

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by bryant4

Hey Bryant,

Those markings are on the cylinder head, I believe. Count the fins on the cylinder as suggested above.