Pistons: Mercury vs Wizards vs CRT

**capteliminator** · 10-29-2019, 09:34 AM

I am in the process of doing a rebuild on a stock Merc 2.5 260. I have used Mercury and Wizards in the past and have had good luck with both. I also see that CRT is selling there own brand of pistons and was curious what others think. I would prefer to stick with OEM stuff but the Wizards are considerably cheaper and I believe the CRT's are as well. Any info greatly appreciated.

**patchesII** · 10-29-2019, 10:12 AM

The Mercury piston would be my first choice, second would be the CRT piston as long as it accepts the Mercury ring

**Rodney Nance** · 10-30-2019, 10:51 AM

If you really like the OEM product we/Wizard have been making a piston that is virtually the same as the Merc it even uses the Mercury ring. The tunnel boats racing overseas have been using them for years.

**rjdubiel** · 10-30-2019, 11:24 AM

anyone use Glenn Reynolds pistons?

**capteliminator** · 10-31-2019, 06:39 AM

Reason Im asking is the wizards can be bought for about $450 less. I have a set in a 280 Im running on my Allison. It only has 26 hours on it but it runs great. Not trying to be cheap but if I can get comparable pistons for that much less than that's what id like to do. Didn't know the Wizards take merc rings though. Anybody run the CRT's yet? Appears to be made by Wiseco. Appreciate all info!!

**Rodney Nance** · 10-31-2019, 10:48 AM

The light weight 2 ring Wizard takes the Wizard ring.
The single ring piston that is more like the OEM Merc takes the mercury ring.
The tapers are different on the two.

**racer** · 10-31-2019, 03:53 PM

Have run the Wizards in a couple endurance races in Parker. They looked really good afterwards and went right back in.

**RBT** · 11-01-2019, 06:18 PM

Might as well throw Woosner in the mix.

**big tom** · 11-01-2019, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by RBT

Might as well throw Woosner in the mix.

There popular with some higher end after market 2-stroke big bore kits in snowmobiles.

**LakeFever** · 11-04-2019, 11:01 AM

Vertex?

What seems to be the question to ask is best piston for the $?

**capteliminator** · 11-05-2019, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by LakeFever

Vertex?

What seems to be the question to ask is best piston for the $?

Yes that's the question. Being a 260 it will see 8k regularly are vertex cast or forged?

**LakeFever** · 11-05-2019, 03:00 PM

I believe Vertex are cast

**mrichartz** · 11-05-2019, 04:05 PM

Vertex are both

Vertex pistons are both cast and forged. Vertex casts their two stroke pistons because of the ability to incorporate higher silicon content into castings as opposed to a forging. This gives the piston a lower thermal distortion characteristic and higher wear resistance. Vertex uses castings and forgings in its four stroke pistons depending on application. Low rpm, low performance four stroke engines can use cast pistons. High performance, high rpm engines (like today’s race bikes) use forged pistons for strength. Vertex has the ability to manufacture its pistons to suit each need.

**rjdubiel** · 11-06-2019, 09:13 AM

anyone know the Vertex 260 piston part number? Also, I have a set of top pinned wizards but I am looking for a part number for a +.024 and +.044 wizards. I called pro marine and i must have got the new guy as he looked in the catalog and said they don't have them. I would guess they do but he didn't know as they don't list oversize in the catalog.

**Rodney Nance** · 11-06-2019, 11:11 AM

rjdubiel. What is the part number on the Wizards you have?
We make a piston for Pro Marine that is more like a stock 225 piston.
The others are lighter and more like the 260 piston.