1.5 pistons

Swampy · Post by **Swampy** » Fri May 15, 2009 10:55 pm

Hello all- I dont post very often, but I read all the posts every day. I just wanted to ask for a few opinions from the forum;

I bought a high dollar set of new Mahle pistons because I was in a hurry and wanted German pistons for my 1.6 build. I looked all over hell and back and had a hard time finding 1mm over. I finally found a set locally and in my rush and excitement never realized they were 1.5 till I went to fit the rods. Anyway I am building a 1.6 and cant use them. I posted on ebay for $325 to try and get my money back. I guess I will see what happens, but does that seem too out of line? I know, I know, yea- they are not made of gold... and yeah I have bought whole cars cheaper too...but? I just thought I would see if anyone could point me in the right direction for a fair price.

Thanks

Post by **Fatmobile** » Sat May 16, 2009 12:16 am

Sounds like the top end of what you can get.
TD pistons used to run for that but I htink I've seen them for cheaper.

Someone trying to rebuild a 1.5 might find them worth it.

$200 and they would probably sell quick.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat May 16, 2009 2:24 pm

I'm about 5 days into a state of sleep deprivation, but I've often wanted to consider the functional potential of using cylinder sleeves such that you could run 1.5 pistons in a TD 1.6 block. The intent of such a build would be to make a most efficient engine.

Thoughts? I've never sleeved cylinders, but know Fatmobile has, and is trying that 1.7 build.

-homeless Josh

82vdub · Post by **82vdub** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:56 pm

My .02 worth on sleeves. Sleeves surve a purpose, when the block is worn past a service limit, or if there is a hole in a cylinder wall, and the remainder of the block is in good condition. However, sleeves aren't 100% foolproof all the time.

Last I heard, 1.5 pistons were much harder to find than the 1.6L pistons, and could be more expensive. However, if you can find the proper sized 1.6L pistons for a 1.6 motor, I wouldn't go to the expense and effort to sleeve the block to use a more difficult to find piston. It may work fine initially, but any work to the motor down the road may require a different block to replace the one that had been sleeved.

You can experiment and I don't know what the compression heights etc are between the 1.5 and 1.6's, but I would just find the correct pistons for the engine at hand.

vwtyp133 · Post by **vwtyp133** » Sat May 16, 2009 9:29 pm

Stroke aside, aren't 1.5L and 1.6L pistons the same diameter?

J.R.
SoCal

Swampy · Post by **Swampy** » Sun May 17, 2009 12:16 am

same diameter yes.

Post by **Fatmobile** » Sun May 17, 2009 1:31 am

I haven't sleeved any blocks and hope I never have to.

1.5 pistons, rods, and crank in a 12mm, 1.6 block is a great idea.

The 1.5 is zippy around town but with a hill and a headwind it slows right down.
With a turbo it would be a good setup.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sun May 17, 2009 12:56 pm

Sorry Fatmobile, I think I must've confused you with somebody else! Some folks around have used sleeves to rehab blocks.

The 1.6/1.5 hybrid you mention couldn't have 1.5L displacement, so why do it? Just to make use of 1.5 pistons that are hanging around?

Post by **Fatmobile** » Mon May 18, 2009 11:50 pm

There were a few reasons mentioned over on the GTD forum.
The shorter stroke has it's advantages.
The 1.5 revs higher,.. but who wants to drive with the engine screaming.
Actually normal driving wouldn't be at high RPMs but zipping around town in a 1.5 can be fun.
... and with the smaller displacement could get better MPG, making it a good high MPG project.

I plan to VNT my 1.5 and tune it for MPG and no smoke.

VW Jon · Post by **VW Jon** » Tue May 19, 2009 11:06 am

The size of an engine has nothing to do with the rpm it has in high gear, with everything else being the same (tire size, transmission gear ratio, speed driven). A 1.5 and 1.6 liter will rpm at the identical speed.

Post by **Fatmobile** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:59 pm

The stroke of an engine has alot to do with what RPM they can run.
A shorter stroke allows a faster RPM.
The 1.5 has a shorter stroke.

libbybapa · Post by **libbybapa** » Tue May 19, 2009 11:09 pm

Gear ratio and speed will determine the rpm of the engine. A shorter stroke allows an engine to rev higher. Both are true.

Andrew

VW Jon · Post by **VW Jon** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:08 am

My point is, the final rpm at an identical speed will be the same regardless of the size of the engine, all other factors being the same.

libbybapa · Post by **libbybapa** » Wed May 20, 2009 9:57 am

I know that's your point and it is correct, but it doesn't have any bearing on Fatmobile's statement that a shorter stroke allows for an engine that can rev higher which is also correct.

Andrew

VW Jon · Post by **VW Jon** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:56 am

I've driven both 1.5 and 1.6 liter engines, and there is no need to spin the 1.5 liter any higher to get up to cruising speed. Just because an engine is smaller, doesn't necessitate revving it higher before you shift.

Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

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