Biral cylinder set, Yay or Nay?

[CobraJet]

I've been looking at replacement cylinder sets for my 1800. Thinking about the 96mm slip ins as they will add a bit of displacement. Lots of choices out there and I notice an option for biral cylinders. Iron bore with a cast aluminum fin set attached.

What experiance have you had with these? Do they help cooling? Are the 96mm slip ins a way to go or just a gimic?

[dunegoon]

I've been running a set of 105mm biral type 4 cylinders in my sandrail since 2003. I bought them from Saco in 1999. About 4 years ago, I had Pauter Machine re-bore them to 105.25 and fit new J&E pistons (sand gets into things, you know). They are about 20 pounds lighter than full iron cylinders, I believe. I am also happy with their cooling, but there is no practical way to compare like vs. like (on my budget, at least).

If/when they need replacement, I would go with full aluminum Nikisil cylinders like the later air-cooled Porsche used. Lighter, cooler running yet, and perhaps more reliable. Where I'm at with my sand rail, every 5 pounds saved is equivalent to another horsepower.

[Wally]

So far: Yay!
I've put over 400 hp through a set of AA 98mm birals now at a few dragrace events and two dyno sessions and they still live without oil leakages or blue smoke or things like that. This was at 1 bar boost.
Unfortunately, I think they the 96mm are out of stock at AA atm?

[Frallan]

Yeah! I have a set 96mm with JE that has gone one season circuit racing on low 6-7 psi boost.
Now running Weber and at that conversion the leakdown was between 3-4%. Very good!

[cal 67]

Hey. Sorry for tagging the Samba gallery, but uploading photos from my pad requires a resizing app on here. Anyone know the history on these CB Performance 100mm Birals? I bought them a few weeks ago. They have EMPI stamped 100mm pistons with a 42mm compression height. Were the barrels any good?

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album ... c5edc63147

[Wally]

Tabari?
No personal experience, but maybe search function here gives some older info?
From memory, they were not reported all that well, but exactly why, can't remember..
Just measure, hone and try them me thinks

[cal 67]

Tabari?
No personal experience, but maybe search function here gives some older info?
From memory, they were not reported all that well, but exactly why, can't remember..
Just measure, hone and try them me thinks

Hey Wally. Yes, it's me. I'ma keep looking. Getting a lot of mixed reviews.

[Wally]

Right!
Mixed reviews can also be from people making tuning errors and or installation faults.
Its hard to tell how ‘unbiased’ or ‘clean’ a review really is.
My AA’s were really thin wall (3,5mm) and holded well over 400hp No problem! No smoke, No drama No crankcase pressure whatsoever! Only if the alu shell of those cb birals detaches, there is a problem, otherwise, just run ‘m.