Hello, Can anyone assist with which pistons are best suitable for a 748SPS when converting to the 853cc. If anyone can help with make, part number and supplier details then this would be a great help. Also, if anyone has any new or used pistons available then I'm interested. I understand I will need 916 barrels or bore out my originals but do I need a 916 base and head gasket or 748 gaskets? Thanks in advance. Regards Lee
Hi Lee, I see you haven't had any responses to this thread. Are you still interested in the 853 conversion? I have been thinking about doing one myself and have done quite a lot of research. The pistons you want are Pistal's Pistal Racing: Catalogo Some ducati performance ones are also availible, you want to talk to Rich Llewellin at Luigi Moto, who can get hold of either for you and help with a load of the other parts. You will need some nice low milage 916 barrels, or you can have your bored, but they will need to be re coated with the nikasil lining material after boring. You will need a 916 head gasket. The base gaskets are the same for 748s and 916s as the OD of the cylinder is the same. The base gasket isn't actually a gasket but is more of a shim which can be changed to adjust the "squish". You'll need a suitable chip, and I have a contact for that who has built a lot of 853s (I say a lot - ther aren't that many! But he is probably the best builder). Please drop me a PM and I can pass on all of the contact details, along with all of the little details I have learnt in my research. Good luck! Cheers Dave
Some on ebay now, brand new from a Ducati dealer. Price is good too, considering you'd pay almost that for a set of rings... Genuine Ducati Performance 94mm Piston Kit, 853cc Big Bore Pistons, 748 BP S | eBay
