Vertex Pistons

[Bruster]

Anyone ever use them? Good/Bad?

[Bruce Washburn]

I have heard good things about them for stock applications. They are cast pistons. I don't think I would run them much over 8,000.

[Promax1R]

I have ran them in Promaxs. They held up good and looked as good when I tore the engine down as they did when new. I never turned them over 7500.

[GPI Racing]

Spun them over 10000 and NEVER had a failure. While not recommended in the handbook, proof that if you make parts (pistons) from the proper material the results are excellent. They are cast with some very high silicon content..17plus%. A nice piece and very cost effective. I know of several engines with hundreds (yes, hundreds) of hours at some pretty high rpm.

Randy

[Jay Smith]

In a stock RPM application ( < 7500 ) I think they would be flawless but in a stressed HIGH HP output engine such as the High Performance motors the industry standard is still forged and I will have to agree with the design engineers. Vertex's are still a cast piston and I would treat them as such !

Strickly my opinion though , also I have VERY few cast piston application engines come through my shop...

[Bruster]

The kind of answers I was looking for from the RIGHT people. I like the Molybdenum Bisulphide coating on the skirts, and thought that could be nothing but good. Again, Thank You ;)

[GPI Racing]

Jay,

Try Cryo treating a set and run them yourself. I think you'll be shocked. I got the idea to try it several years ago from Tom and Gordy Johnson. They were Turbo charging a 700cc (two stroke) snowmobile and at 20 plus lbs of boost would crack a piston almost every other weekend. Bad thing was the pieces would go through the turbo causing a mess. Tom had it suggested that he Cryo the piston. (a cast piston as the Wiseco forged replacement had very poor ring seal) Tom thought the guy was full of it but gave it a try. They can now go the whole season and have not broken a piston in three years. These little 700cc engines make 250hp+ so a just a wee bit stressed. We then tried the treatment with a few cast pistons of good quality (ART, Vertex, AER {England}, and even some Pro Marine). Never failed any in the past two seasons. Granted in a 10000rpm motor you'd be sceptical but I've tried it and the result is pretty awesome. Originally we figured run them a few hours and toss them but my personal drag has run 10K plus for 12 months. We just tore it down and it's very nice inside. I'm sending a couple of those pistons back accross the pond and they are going to evaluate them for reference. Anyhow, while I wouldn't rush right out and put them in customer race motors just yet, it is worth a look.

Randy

[merc326]

i have also heard nothing but good things about them. i have a friend that runs them in a built 260 that he spins well over 10k every weekend and they have been in there going on 2 years, now im not telling you to do that but i think you would be fine at 8500 or below. alot of engine builders are starting to use them, there getting around. and for the money, chit, you cant go wrong. not everyone can afford 1000.00 bucks or more for pistons.

[Jay Smith]

Randy,

If I owned an outboard to test them on my OWN motor I might take your suggestion BUT me mostly building race engine turning near and over 11,000 rpms and compression numbers in upwards of 250 lbs for customers only I cannot take a chance with a cast piston ( no matter whos they are manufactured by, or even cryo treated ) BTW we use cryo process on many parts. If I were to use a known , by design , weaker piston or any generic part on a customers engine and a failure would occur I would be slayed , you being in business should realize this delima. If a customer told me ( and I would demand it in an E-Mail , so if it came unwound like a $2.00 shirt I would have paper proof he desired the part in his engine and not meerly my experiment )I would do so gladly BUT I can't think of a candidate that would "risk" a zillion $$ motor on such a dice roll as tried and true pieces ( forged pistons ) may be higher BUT when compared to buying a whole rotater after a total destruction of a motor is just in my mind not something I feel is smart....You hear testimonys of cast piston users also claiming success turning rpms of 8K,9K but there is always an " UNTIL" at the end of the statement. :confused:

As I said I'm sure the Vertex piston would be great retro fit in a cast piston application replacement and even an occational 8000 rpm blast with 145ish compression motor would be safe, but in my business I nor my customers seem interested in cutting corners on such a product as a failure of one of these would be caticlismic as forged pistons when they fail are strong enough to stay together just wad up on the other hand when cast pistons fails they come appart in 1000 pieces leaving the rod end clearing the block to yeild a pile of junk. I might be old fashion BUT like I said before I am going to go with the industry standard on my engines that are to be STRESSED and that being forged pistons....

Good luck with your choice and Happy Holidays,

Jay

[GPI Racing]

Hey Jay,

I didn't mean in my post to you to have you change your current way of building motors and the parts you use. It was more or less a info based post. I have alway felt the pistons were a huge weak link in a 2.5. Mercury has never used the best avalible in the world when they make their choices.(my opinion) There is a company in Europe that makes a carbon graphite/metal matrix piston that has been widely successful in the racing circles over there. It was designed to help emissions with 2 stokes by not requiring a upper end lubricant. It needs no lube and does not melt when the engine is "burning down". The engine just loses power. I saw the test data on it and had to make the call. There are some 2.5 pistons being made as I write this. My point to all this writing to you is that I feel we can't stand still with new ideas. If your curious on the graphite stuff I'd send you the test data via mail.(to much to e-mail or post) I'd like your opinion on it as you may have some perspective that I don't and could fuel some new ideas. The longer we can keep these 2.5s in service the longer we both can make a living!.

Randy

[Hiflyer]

Vertex isn't new to the world of Hi-Performance, and from the motors I've seen them used in they performed very well.


http://www.vertexpistons.com/english.htm

[M.CHAPMAN]

I have used them in many, many stock applications and have had very good success with them. The coating for one thing holds up really well. I am always reluctant to put them in an HP motor. It's best to stick with what has been proven to hold up at high rpm's, (10,000 or more)

I would not hesitate to put them in a motor that turns 7500 or less.
The Vetex pistons I have used have impressed me, especially when you measure them, you find very little if any variance between a set of six.
Just my 2 cents!!!

[Jay Smith]

Randy,

Sure send over the information I'm always looking for an edge I'm sure it will make for interesting reading .

Fax 1 281 576 5886 or [email protected]

[GPI Racing]

Jay,
It's quite the big package so I picked up your mailing address and I'll ship you a packet. It's eye opening and you almost wonder why nobody did it before.

Randy

[86vintage]

Need to get price and availability on:

6 quantity of part #2752015

.015" over High Dome, power port 1978 Mercury 1500XS pistons


James - 86vintage

[Rickracer]

: http://www.rickracers.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_26_27_163_200&products_id=640
The new P/N is 9015V.....your cost with S&F discount, $74.02 each plus shipping. Barb will be working our your quote today. We just brought a new grandchild home from the hospital this weekend, so it's been just a bit hectic here for the last week or so. :cool:

[Jay Smith]

Thanks Randy,

[us1]

I have had a few with crack problems. I would never run them over fishing motor RPM.

[diskvalve]

RickRacer,which pistons do you recommend for a std. bore XR6 that runs under 7000 rpm. Is there a seperate part # for 225 promax pistons and would they be a better choice if they have the thinner rings? --- mike