[eapcpa]

I just received an e-mail ad from a national parts supply catalog. My mouth fell open and I have to wonder why these are so cheap. The prices ranged from $482.98 on sale to just a tick under $700. These are of course for Ford & Chevy and are for a set of EIGHT not six. The following is a cut and paste of the description of these sets:

Mahle PowerPak Piston Kits

The Mahle PowerPak is a complete, race proven piston assembly kit composed of hand deburred, forged, performance coated pistons, high quality steel pins, round wire locks and low drag performance rings.
It may seem crazy, but you really can get 8, 14 or even 22 more hp with Mahle pistons and rings. The secret is in Mahle's ultra flat ring grooves and low drag rings. Improved sealing minimizes parasitic drag to create ''free'' horsepower.

Performance coatings include a phosphate dry lubricant that is used to protect against ring micro-welding and pin galling during initial startup and break-in. For additional performance, Mahle applies its proprietary Grafal anti-friction coating to each piston skirt.

Features:

Forged Aluminum Pistons
CNC machined crown
Hand deburred finishing
Forced pin oiling with machined drain backs
Lightweight slipper skirt forgings
CNC finished pin bores
Forced Pin Oiling
Race Proven, reliable round wire locks, standard with every kit
Pre-fitted German steel pins noted for their high strength, light weight and durability
Phosphate coating - provides the grey appearance to the Mahle piston. This dry lubricant coating (not to be confused with a thermal film coating) provides a lubricant film in the pin bores and ring grooves until the oil system of the engine reached operating pressure; particularly useful during the initial start-up or break-in of engines to protect against galling and micro welding. Piston crown remains machine able.
Mahle's Grafal Skirt Coating - Reduces drag, scuffing, friction and cylinder bore wear; reduces piston noise.



Now forget all the advertising hype. I am a CPA and the only explanation I can come up with is because they can. I may have missed something but this makes my blood boil and I immediately saw red when this popped up. The last I recall, fellow pelicans have paid just shy of $2000 up through $3500 for Porsche pistons. Just SIX. Someone please give me a reasonable explanation beyond the obvious. Not that I am cheap but thats like paying $4000 for an escort serv..... Sorry, got carried away.