Built KLDE or go KLZE?

[RX8SE3P]

I think 2.25 is the way to go also.

Btw a built DE will be fine. Since you don't have the issue of valve's dropping as easily as the ZE, there's no harm in getting some stronger pistons but realistically I think you will make most power from a good exhaust, headers, and cams. So my recommendation would be to clean up the stock pistons, get new rings and get the heads cleaned, valves ground.

The price of cams, headers and exhaust would combined would be lower than the whole piston/rod combo's you named before!

A rebuilt DE can easily make 100KW at the wheels IMO. One that has cams, headers and an exhaust should make 120KW at the wheels or more once rebuilt. It will beat any stock ZE IMO.

[Newfie_dan]

for those who don't undestand kw for a power rating 120kw is about 161 hp.

[RX8SE3P]

for those who don't undestand kw for a power rating 120kw is about 161 hp.

Yes and seeing how American dynos always get so much more power than other places like Australia, I'd say you will get 170whp.

[fowljesse]

Don't get sucked into Jesse's pursuit of a 1/4hp so that he can pretend his car is faster than yours game.

This is true. I need to cool it with the boasting without hard proof.
However, I firmly believe that with the exact same tools, a good builder would make more power from what would essentially be a KLZE with ported DE heads, and ported KLG4 IM.
From what I've learned over the years is that when car makers make performance parts, they don't leave much room for improvement, but the OEM parts do. I've seen it with alot of engines, from 1 & 2 cyl. M/C engines, to American V8s. It's true for German, and Japanese cars, too.

[wytbishop]

I just like to razz you a bit Jesse. We all know your intentions are good...