hi all, what am the best pistons out of these two to build a zetec turbo c20let or c20xe?

and how can you tell the difference between the pair?

cheers cr41g

 

don't use either pal. get proper pistons designed for the engine instead of vauxhall items

 

the engine build is on a budget mate and didnt want to do the skim the standard ones with compression plates,ive heard good power results from using vauxhall pistons aswel,

 

you can use st170 pisons with a blacktop head

 

Early C20XE items, the Mahle ones

 

pistons can be had for around Ł350 mate. not that expensive really

 

ive just brought a bottom end in with vauxhall pistons in for Ł60,been bored out 86mm,freshly built aswel but not sure if c20let or c20xe because think they look the same,got to pick it up weekend then ill strip it down to see what they am,

 

I'm sure the xe have 86p underneath if remember rightly. not as dished as the let ones.. Xe's commonly used on zvhs and let's on zts

 

sounds like a bargin that. what rods are in it?

 

not sure on the rods mate,im guessing they zetec ones but machined out for the pins,ill found out when get it,

 

xe pistons have a shallow dish and valve cut outs,let pistons have cut outs but with a deeper dish and a bulge in the middle.. early mahle xe pistons are forged but later ones are cast. xe pistons are best suited for a zvh engine. let pistons are forged and better suited for a zetec turbo as the compression will be lower. dont worry if you have xe ones ,there still good in a budget engine and will give a great torque of around the 300 lb mark

 

cheers matey very good advice,so its ok if have c20let and c20xe piston?

 

yes ,if the xe ones are cast the let would be stronger.. the xe ones will give a more torque and a punchy drive but let will run more power as less compression..plus if everything is in good condition and you wanted to swap to let then the rings and standard piston size are the same.(same part number at mahle(99% sure it will have a 86mm bore)

 

sound that is mate,and also because they are 86mm dos this mean it will be a 2.1 ltr? whats the best headgasket to use aswel? will i need the compression plate with two headgaskets while using these vauxhall pistons?