if im installing stock bore pistons in my VQ, will i need to machine the block (bore, hone) to achieve the piston to wall clearance??

and, because aftermarket piston rings are made from different material than the stockers, will i need rehoning using different grit?

 

I would buy a .020" overbore and have the block machined to proper clearances. Not all pistons are exactly the same size and doing a custom bore is the best way to go about it.

 

^^ what he said

 

If you are truly worried this is what you can do.

1. use a bore mic and measure all the cylinders
2. measure all the pistons at different locations to ensure the machining processes accuracy.

Unless you are purchasing some pistons of unknown brand they should be of good quality and accurately machined. honing is only for cleaning up the bores kind of like cutting the rotors or flywheel before new pads(bad example if the rotors are warped or you let the pads go to metal). But anyway my point is this its providing a new wear surface. File fit rings are awesome if you have a machinist that can provide the file fitting of rings go for it. In all honesty I would only custom bore if I had a really good machinist(with a deck plate), but if you do it is the best way to go. But short of a endurance race engine and if your bores are unscored with quality pistons a simple clean up hone is sufficient.

 

from what I understand, the Nissan factory has several different piston sizes.
meaning even with the "same" bore, each cylinder may get a slightly different piston spec/size
(obviously it's a VERY small difference) but enough for nissan to care

 

exactly like bearing sizes, on my 2jz, ive tried sizes 1 through 3 for the main bearings, and they all stay within the desired oil clearance using a plastigauge..

as for machining, the thing is.. i live in Bahrain in the Gulf, and i wouldnt trust anyone to do the machining process thats why i want to stay with the stock bore, all i want is to get the desired piston to wall clearance without machining.. is that even possible? as im doing most of the work on my own, and to be honest.. i dont know my way around aluminum blocks.

no i dont have a bore mic, but i usually measure clearances using a feeler gauge between the piston and cylinder wall. fyi, im going to be using the arias XTD pistons.. anyone have good experience with those regarding clearance issues? will i get desired clearance by just dropping them in the stock block?

 

Those are different grades. Nissan also sells a seperate oversize (service) piston.

 

so..are the arias XTD pistons "bolt on"?

 

No pistons are bolt on.

 

We can make a custom set in standard bore for you, but we do not recommend this. As others alluded to, each cylinder will have a slighly different bore size. This means that your piston to wall clearance will be hit-or-miss. Nothing during an engine building process should be hit-or-miss.