Hi, I'm Lew and new to the forum. I am about to have Chris Jones install a stage 1 Garrett 2860r turbo kit on my C14. Does a ZX14 (not 2012) have forged or cast pistons. I know the OEM pistons for the ZX14 (more expensive) are 12:1 CR and the C14 pistons are 10.7:1 CR and they have different part numbers. I understand cast pistons don't play well with turboes or nitrous. I have heard the ZX14 has forged pistons and the C14 has cast. It seems that reliable information on the subject is not easy to come by even from dealers, Kawi Corp. or their brochures/literature/specs. However, Chris says the ZX14 does not have forged pistons and he has a ton of experience building turboed ZX14 Super Street race bikes and winning with them. I know of only 2 other C14's that are turboed. The owners of both of them have very recently reported piston failure and say they discovered the pistons are cast. I saw a pic of a damaged piston and it appeared to have burned and broke the upper land at the intake. It looked to me like a lean running problem and I suppose that could burn a forged piston as well. I told Chris to go ahead and order JE 9.5 CR ZX14 turbo/forged pistons, although he didn't include the pistons in the quote he gave me and originally didn't think they were necessary. Chris recommended (not included in the kit), and I agreed to, upgraded cam chain tensioner, clutch and valve springs, and head gasket. Just trying to find out if both models have the same pistons material/make-up. Anyone have the knowledge? I'd appreciate hearing/reading it.
BTW, I told Chris my goal was to check off my bucket list (age 74) and have a C14 that would comfortably carry me, my Yorkie dog Punky, a passenger, carry all our luggage and tow my Leesure Lite Excel camping trailer or with a twist of the wrist calling for boost, being faster than the stock 2012 ZX14R in the 1/4 and hit 200 mph. Punky has ridden with me to the ends of the world in the western hemisphere (from the bucket list too). Later, amigos. Lew