about empi birals

[RFbuilt]

ok...  if im not mistaken

the empi 88s , existed as machine in and slip in Birals/alu  liners 

is this correct? 

and for obvious reasons the machine ins are the better choice  for longevity i suppose,

from my my notes, ive some measurements however they must be mahle/cima units

85.5s  are  90mm case bore  /  93.8mm head bore
88mm machine ins   94.4mm /  97mm     

i came across a set of empi birals with empi/mahle stamped pistons with decent bore and cross hatchings still
however when i measured the dimensions , it came out to be

88mm Empi       92mm case  / 95mm head bore   

was there ever tis measurement?   i mean thats like an inbetween the slip ins and machine ins?


ultimately wat i wonder about is... would this be durable for regular street use? if so il grab those and use em' on my next project

i figure alot of guys here have more experience especially on these older components  , could give me insights

thanks guys

[Zach Gomulka]

I don't believe EMPI sold slip ins. They were all machine in (corrections welcome).

For the most part 88/90.5/92 cylinders all have the same OD.... I think the earlier ones (at least the 90.5's) have a slightly smaller OD at the case end.

[kingsburgphil]

I only recall Empi 88's, 89's full or slipper skirt and the 90's. With the 90's being marketed in the USA by George Ferch @ Powerhaus  in Tustin, Calif. under the Oettinger (Okrasa) label. Very nice and very expensive at the time. The Mahle 90.5's came later with an iron cyl. and IIRC correctly were of Brazilian origin.
All of the previously mentioned were "machined in".  Please correct me if I'm in error.

[richie]

I don't believe EMPI sold slip ins. They were all machine in (corrections welcome).

For the most part 88/90.5/92 cylinders all have the same OD.... I think the earlier ones (at least the 90.5's) have a slightly smaller OD at the case end.

I have 3 different size machine in 88 cylinders sets here,Empis are definately different from the rest,made that mistake before,then 90s have at least 2 different sizes for machine in as well,and i am fairly certain 90.5s have 2 sizes.My NOS alluminium 92s are in a container so cant check there size
Personally i wouldnt use the empi 88s for a regular street car,cost and age would make me use newer cima or mahle 88s when available

cheers Richie

[RFbuilt]

thanks guys i wont get em then LOL   

i think ritchie ur right... there is atleast 3 different sizes of 88mm machine ins  

was just admiring the birals actually.. in anycase i would have used NEW pistons on those empi birals

btw the pistons are  the non slipper type


thanks much guys

[1946vw]

I have kolbenschmidt 88s, empi 88s, mahle 88s old, cima 88s thick and thin, mahle 88s new, and 2 sizes of china 88s. All machine fit.Thanks Brian

[marc1951]

I believe you are all correct. I've built 3 motors using the Empi biral 88s with forged slipper skirts, dykes rings.....a quality product. Ran 1 of the motors on the street.....pistons slapping away, poor oil contol at low speeds. Not good for a street machine!!

Marc

[Zach Gomulka]

Can you change the rings to make a better street engine? I've got an NOS set I want to use in my GTV someday.