Does anyone know anything about P/C kits manufactured by "AA Performance Products?"  I've looked at several online vendors and they seem to be priced $60 - $80 less than the top quality kits.  I'm guessing there is good reason for the low price but just wondered if anyone has any experiance with them.

Also, what brand(s) are good quality, what brand(s) do I need to avoid regardless of cost?

Thanks David.  John said they did used to sell the AA brand.  But he said sales of air cooled parts had dropped off to the point that they don't stock much any more and he would have to order a Piston/Cylinder kit.  Mahle is all he has availible now - $207.25 . . . ouch! plus sales tax . . . OUCH!
CIP1.com has an AA kit for $109 . . . Plus shipping $47, but there wouldn't be sales tax.
I'll keep shopping.   

I searched AApiston.com on thesamba. Someone got a cracked piston and they sent him a replacement. Their later model watercooled pistons have the wrong compression ratios. Someone else said their ring grooves are too big and the rings bounce around making them bigger.

Lots of folks said they were good, but those were some of the concerns.

I've built between 700-800 engines using AA piston and cylinder sets in the last 5 years, ranging in size from 1600-2332. I check piston weight, OD, ID on the cylinders, ring gap etc. 99% of the time, they are dead nuts on. I only build non-turbo street engines with 9.0 to 1 and lower compression ratio so I can't give any insight to any other use.

I think the infamous Glenn also used AA pistons on an engine as well.

I have used a few sets of the AA  brand ones too... seem pretty good to me. 

He is pretty much the second in command on thesamba, second to everett. He is their moderator.

http://www.glenn-ring.com/

this is his profile on the samba: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=633

He has about 46,000 posts, averaging 13.73 posts/day since Christmas 2001

If you are talking about the Mahle 1600 P&C kits we have them for under $169.

http://www.sracing.com

Jim
SR

Texas Air Cooled wants $26 shipping.  I sent an email to the guy on the Samba to see what shipping would be.