Shane661
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posted November 12, 2009 08:27 AM
 Edited By: Shane661 on 12 Nov 2009 16:28
- ZX-12 and ZX-14 Pistons Compared -
I was curious as to the difference in design between the oem pistons in the 12R vs. those in the 14. I had the set from my 02 12R here, and I just picked up a used set of 14 slugs.
In pictures below, the 12R part is on the left, 14 on the right:
Here you can see that the 12R pistons, despite being a smaller bore (83 vs. 84mm), are heavier. Pistons without wrist pins:
12R:
14:
The 12R also has longer wrist pins, which are 7G heavier each:
Another interesting difference that I noticed is the concave crown on the ZX-14 part:
I don't know much at all about pistons, but I thought made for an interesting comparison. Perhaps some of the experts can shed some light on these differences.
Shane
  
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KZScott
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posted November 12, 2009 08:53 AM
I dont really have much to add, but I was told 1287 (86mm)pistons are 3 grams lighter than oems.
I wonder how 1417 (86mm) pistons compare for weight?
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01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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Shane661
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posted November 12, 2009 09:06 AM
Edited By: Shane661 on 12 Nov 2009 17:48
With the smaller structure, and less meat on the 14 piston, I am curious as to how that affects it's ability to handle heat (for nitrous apps). The location of the valve reliefs in relation to the top ring land look to be very similar on the two parts.
Shane
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KZScott
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posted November 12, 2009 09:14 AM
how thick is the 14 piston compared to the 12 in that dished out center?
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01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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entropy
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posted November 12, 2009 09:21 AM
cool thread!
Thanks, Shane 
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This moderator uses moderation in moderation
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Shane661
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posted November 12, 2009 09:50 AM
quote:
how thick is the 14 piston compared to the 12 in that dished out center?
I'm afraid that I don't have a micrometer, Scott. 
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Y2KZX12R
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posted November 12, 2009 09:55 AM
Notice that the zx14 piston is a forged piston and the zx12r is a cast piston. The design is a Mahle box design and may very well be made by Mahle for KHI. It has a shorter but stronger skirt due to the shirt bosses being closer together. The oil drain back holes are larger and fewer.
Thats about all I can see from the pics. The ring groves are to hard to see.
In general its a much nicer piece than the cast zx12r piston.
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Shane661
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posted November 12, 2009 09:59 AM
Looking at the surface texture of the metal, they both appeared to be castings to my very untrained eyes. How can you tell the difference?
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shiphteey
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posted November 12, 2009 01:03 PM
Shane, the 12R stock piston you weighed at 264 shows about 4 grams heavier than JE's 13.0:1 compression 86mm (3 mil overbore), which is inline with what I've heard about the 3 mill being a few grams lighter.
A.
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chavcat
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posted November 12, 2009 04:49 PM
Then again a CP 86mm is 230.31 grams. Nice weight saving over OEM.
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Texas12R
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posted November 12, 2009 07:23 PM
a thin parting line is usually a good indication of the casting mold......absent or wide on forgings
I reserve the right to be wrong 
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gilberjj
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posted November 13, 2009 12:49 PM
I've heard from several sources that the 14 has cast pistons.
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NOX
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posted November 13, 2009 02:28 PM
That does not appear to be a forged piston to me.
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Y2KZX12R
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posted November 13, 2009 07:21 PM
You can tell by the lack of any under cut. Notice how a die could be extracted from it.
Also the surface finish is smoother.
From the pics it looks like a forged piston to me. Not having ever had one in my hand I cant say for sure.
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NOX
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posted November 15, 2009 07:55 PM
If so, then I wonder how much they could hold on the bottle......, etc.
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2010 TMRC Super Street Points Champion
2010 PMRA Super Street #3 Points
2009 PMRA Super Street Points Runner-Up
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Sponsored by:
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AMSOIL
Steve's Speed Shop
Kawasaki Sports Center
Mickey Thompson Tires
Catalyst Racing Composites
Conway Cycle
Syed Leathers
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06redzx14
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posted November 15, 2009 08:04 PM
adams has done a few with stock pistons and 70 + dry shot
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KZScott
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posted November 15, 2009 09:08 PM
muzzys allways said 70 was about the limit for the stockers in a 12, but i know of one that was running 90. you just have to really really know what youre doing.
pretty sure theres stock 14s with 100 shots on them.
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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Shane661
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posted November 16, 2009 03:46 AM
Kaw-Rick is spraying 100 wet on stock 14 pistons.
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kaw-rick
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posted November 16, 2009 04:57 AM
yes
quote:
Kaw-Rick is spraying 100 wet on stock 14 pistons.
Yes it works. take timing out, Good gas, and stay away from limiter. Mine is progressive. Simpletwo dial. My bikes never been on a dyno. Check those plugs guys.
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shiphteey
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posted November 16, 2009 06:18 AM
BOOM.
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Gemini Motorcycles
Topping out everything from Ninja 250s to nitrous ZX-14s.
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KZScott
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posted November 16, 2009 09:31 AM
how many passes Rick?
____________
01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
|
Shane661
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posted November 16, 2009 09:32 AM
He ran a 60 for a long time...still stock springs too...
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kaw-rick
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posted November 16, 2009 10:53 AM
This bike has over 100 passes. Im not saying it wont come apart. But oil looks like you just poured it in. And the plugs look good. Plus it just keeps running faster lol. Good luck guys these 14s are the truth.
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WRECKSHOP
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posted November 16, 2009 10:55 AM
The ZX-14 pistons are FORGED as you can tell with the grain structure on both pistons !!! ZX12 piston is definately a cast piston design....
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Shane661
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posted November 18, 2009 11:48 AM
Made a trip to the machine shop today:
14 piston above, 12R below:
12R piston thickness, at center:
14 piston thickness, at center:
12R piston above, 14 piston below:
The machinist stated that the 14 piston did appear forged, and the 12R definitely cast. He also said that it was much harder to cut through the 12R piston; he theorized that it might be more brittle. None of this is gospel, just his opinion.
Anyway, perhaps with these additonal photos we can determine a little more about the 14 piston and it's suitability for nitrous usage, as compared to the 12R part.
I'm all ears.
Shane
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