Opinion on FBF pistons?

[ducatiz]

There really is only so much you can do with the original 900 engine though.  Ask Chris at CA. 

[koko64]

All true, however when someone goes the big bore route, usually they will also put in high-comp pistons. After all, since the pistons have to be changed anyway, it makes more sense to get some high-comp ones.

+1. You just got to tune your ignition timing and run higher octane.

The DS motor's considerable untapped potential is promising. I 'spose it's the better stock ports and bigger valves. The extra capacity doesn't hurt either. I would like to know if someone has exploited the existence of the head gasket to up the compression a little, maybe get it a bit closer to 11:1. Like putting Yoshi head gaskets in your Gixxer.

What are the DP cams for the DS costing now?

While the small valve area, compromised inlet ports and mile long inlet manifolds on the carbed 900 hurt top end power, the long inlet manifolds give the carbed 900 a certain character in how it makes power. They are a little grunter.

[Travman]

Wait a second. Doesn't the stock DS1000 have a compression ratio of 10:1, so going up to 11:1 high compression pistons isn't going to change much.

[koko64]

Yeah, 10.7 or 10.5 or whatever it really is when measured (anyone measured it?) Bumping it up a bit with thinner gaskets and getting DP cams and some porting would be good. You know, pulling the heads and doing the work there.

The old motor, well thats a different story. Mine has hi comp pistons, porting, dialed cams, FCRs, a nice valve job and only has made 82hp/65 ft/lbs on the later gen dynojet dyno on it's best day. .

[Duck-Stew]

Yeah, 10.7 or 10.5 or whatever it really is when measured (anyone measured it?) Bumping it up a bit with thinner gaskets and getting DP cams and some porting would be good. You know, pulling the heads and doing the work there.

Yeah, but would you really go that far and NOT invest in hi-comp pistons?!?

[Travman]

I'm just skeptical of FBF's claim of a 7hp increase with the drop-in high compression pistons.  You would have to do more for a 7 hp increase.

[Travman]

If the stock 2003 DS100 has 85 hp and a compression ration of 10:1 (according to Ducati's specs) then increasing the compression ratio to 11:1 using the FBF drop in pistons would result in a 2% increase in hp up to 87 hp.

Here is a handy compression ratio HP change calculation tool. http://www.bgsoflex.com/crchange.html

[koko64]

Yeah, but would you really go that far and NOT invest in hi-comp pistons?!?

I would big bore, hi comp as well, but if the kids teeth needed work, or one needs a graduation dress, college fees, etc...

Depends if there was a deal going.