what brand of pistons do you like

[450rboy]

well i guess i just found out that i can only go as high as 12:1 ratio piston if i want to run pump gas. so can anyone tell me what brand of pistons they like.

[Chino886]

I prefer JE or Ross.....I am currently running a JE.

[quallerd]

You should really check out CP. All that most everyone talks about is JE or Weisco, but after talking with some very knowledgeable people I'm convince that CP makes a superior product!

I however do not claim to be the expert.

[USAF Dirtboy]

JE all the way man!!!

[DirtDevilBT]

This question is like asking people what kind of cereal is the best. (Oh's)

I am running a CP in my 450r and a JE in my warrior. Both are doing well.

i heard wisecos on these 450's are not holding up well. I want the 12:1 in a 2 ringer from JE. do they even make that?

[blakefoote]

I had a Wiseco on my 400ex and loved it....but for a 450r i think ide go with the most reliable one...maybe JE or Baldwin

[ThumPIN_450R]

I haven't had any troubles with my BMS 14:1 and it's a modified wieseco. I also have 11:1 wiesco in my 04 backup and haven't had any issues with it. I have on the other hand seen JE pistons break where the wrist pin goes through causing a hole in a YFZ cylinder big enough that we were able to wiggle that JE piston out without pulling the motor apart.

[iceracer65]

wiseco here.

how can you argue with 60+ years of piston forging experience?

i too have seen a few JE's pull the pin out of the bottom of the piston, which tends to wreck a whole bunch of stuff. keep in mind that this is in EXTREME racing applications, something the average rider would never put a piston through.

[400exmatt]

WISECO all the way!!!

[dober250R]

My brother got a baldwin, and it just looked like a wiseco machined in my eyes...............

is there a 12:1 2 ringer piston?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?

[ThumPIN_450R]

Originally posted by dober250R
My brother got a baldwin, and it just looked like a wiseco machined in my eyes...............

that's exactly what they are. He works them over to put them up to 14:1 and machines allot of skirt off to reduce weight. Probably some other stuff also. The main reason for a Baldwin over a wiseco is that wiseco doesn't make a 14:1

[DirtDevilBT]

Originally posted by MixMasterMike
is there a 12:1 2 ringer piston?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?

My CP HammerHeads piston is a 2 ringer @ 12.25:1. Freaken love it!:D With a HCS2 or HRC you wont have a problem with pump gas if that's what your after. But you really need a cam first. CP sells it as their pump gas friendly piston. Stop yelling! DAMNIT!

[desratt]

nothing but JE

the duncan 480 kit for an 06 uses a je 2 ringer and still maintains 12:1 comp.

[bwilson624]

Personally have never changed one out, but most of my friends use JE and have had no problems as far as I know.

[450rboy]

whats the difference between 2 rings and 1 ring.

i know what it means by 2 rings around the piston and 1 ring around it but what does it mean does it help out when theres two or don't it matter

2 rings last longer between rebuilds im pretty sure but a little less power due to more friction between walls?

[JIMTED79]

Nothing but WISECO here, no problems and last forever in my bikes.

[desratt]

never heard of a 1 ringer it is usually 2 or 3

[MR.BIG]

Originally posted by desratt
never heard of a 1 ringer it is usually 2 or 3

Me too but I would think the 3 ringer would last longer then a 2 ringer.:chinese:

I have a je 13:1 and it rocks!

arent stock 04 and 05's three ringers? idk ive never opened the engine up

[cals400ex]

04-06 are all 3-rings

[RedRacer44]

The CP 14:1 pistons are 1-ring if I remember correctly. Make great power but have to be rebuilt more often.

I've had a JE 13:1 3-ring piston in my '04 and never had a problem with it, made great power! Now I have a JE 13.5:1 2-ring piston in my '06 race bike and its working great.

I've had bad luck with Wiseco in my 250R and heard mixed opinions on the wisecos in the 450s. I'm a JE fan myself...had really good luck with 'em....

The same company that runs JE now runs Wiseco too though, and the new wiseco pistons for the '06 450ER looked REALLY nice....

If i put a JE 12:1 in my 06 would it be better than the stock 12:1?

[r450rr]

Originally posted by DirtDevilBT
My CP HammerHeads piston is a 2 ringer @ 12.25:1. Freaken love it!:D With a HCS2 or HRC you wont have a problem with pump gas if that's what your after. But you really need a cam first. CP sells it as their pump gas friendly piston. Stop yelling! DAMNIT!


you go me interested in this cp hammerheads piston, i like the 12.25:1, i am running the je 11.5:1 and its holding up well i am just getting tired of it. also does je or anyone else make a 12:1 three ringer? im all about it lasting longer.

[chad502ex]

honestly, i have yet to test the Baldwin or HH/BW piston on any of my builds. I'm sure these pistons kick arse, but my shelf 2 ringer piston is making 55/36 on 50/50 110 CAM2 so that would tell me shelf pistons are good enough, huh?

My point is all these pistons work well. Most likely cause I've never tested the Baldwin or HH/BW pistons in my biuld, I have no way of knowing for fact that they are the best.

my 0.02.

[Jonas]

Originally posted by RedRacer44
Now I have a JE 13.5:1 2-ring piston in my '06 race bike and its working great.


How noticeable was the power difference. I am assuming you gained about two horse or so???

[fandl450r]

Originally posted by RedRacer44
The CP 14:1 pistons are 1-ring if I remember correctly. Make great power but have to be rebuilt more often.

Well the CP 14.1 has two rings Chance lol. I just put one in a month ago. But with the 2 ring design it does need to be re-ringed more often. Makes GREAT power and haven't had any problems thus far.

I used to run a JE13.5 3 ring piston as well. Never had a single problem with it, and made some pretty good power.

[QuadRacer041]

anyone use la sleeve/pro-x?

[DirtDevilBT]

All 4 stoke bikes run either a 2 or 3 ring piston. A two ringer will rev faster because it runs into less friction. A lot of racers will even use a 3 ring piston but take out the middle compression ring. The two ring pistons use gas ports for ring sealing, the 3 ringer doesn't really need them. Yes, a 3 ringer will last longer between ring changes but if maintained a 2 ringer will run just as long. If you want to go many hours without changing rings than a 3 ringer will do. If you don't mind changine rings, the advantages outway the disadvantages.

2 stroke bikes run a single ring.

Pro-X pistons are great pistons and hold their own against anyone in the two stroke department. I don't have much experience with Pro-X in 4 stroke stuff but they work great in Sea Doos and Banshees.

[desratt]

I just installed a duncan 480 kit with a je 2 ringer 12.5:1 piston in my 06 450 kicker.

it's actually a 478cc but I rode for about 5 minutes and love it so far.