Would converting to 22mm pin pistons and rods make sense?

[DORIGTT]

In looking at reciprocal weights, would it make sense to reduce the load on the rods/crank by replacing the pistons in a WBX with some that will use the 22mm wristpin and rods?

[Unkl Ian]

If you are using WBX heads,what would you do for pistons ?

The chambers are non existant,
so you need dished pistons to make it work.

[DORIGTT]

I was thinking of JE or Wiseco pistons made with the appropriate amount of dish.

Good idea, bad idea or crazy idea?

[Stripped66]

In looking at reciprocal weights, would it make sense to reduce the load on the rods/crank by replacing the pistons in a WBX with some that will use the 22mm wristpin and rods?

Are you going to driving the engine at high RPMs? If not, then the extra cost of custom pistons to accomodate a 22mm wrist-pin is probably not worth it.

[DORIGTT]

I'm looking at the party being over at 6,500 rpm. So I get your point.

[tencentlife]

Going to 22mm pins would give a desirable decrease in reciprocating weight at any rpm, but it's not worth doing for its own sake. IF you were going to get custom pistons made ANYWAY, it would certainly behoove you to have them made with 22mm pin bores. Then you have available the whole array of rods that work with Type1's, of various lengths and constructions. But that in itself wouldn't justify the cost of custom pistons, at some $600 a set.

But to use wbx pistons, whether OEM, or the several other aftermarket ones available, you're either stuck with the OEM rods, or you have to get the rods you WANT to use modified to have 24mm small ends. I know lots of folks say that's no big deal, but to many machinists, it is. I finally got an old machinist I know to take it on, and he gave me a really good price compared to what I was quoted by others who then said they couldn't tackle it, but he's had them for over 6 weeks, and they're finally ready. I'll get them on Friday and see how the work turned out. He got held up awhile because the price of bronze went way up, and he had a hell of a time getting stock that would work, after being sent the wrong stock by a supplier. I don't expect him to do them so cheap next time. Good thing I had him do two sets.

[Piledriver]

My machinist used BBC bushings.
(Modded CB Unitech+)

[tencentlife]

I offered to get him the bushings but he said he'd make his own. They came out nice, but I don't think he anticipated the difficulty in getting the bronze stock. Next time I'll push to supply him some wbx bushings; that should speed things up.

[Unkl Ian]

Who sells the BBC bushings ?

[Piledriver]

They didn't say, but it was from wherever they usually get rod bushings...?

[Unkl Ian]

Some industry insider secret source.