Help with cylinder selection

The right cylinder for your scooter or moped?

Many engine blocks are used for different scooter brands and types. As is common in the automotive industry, engines are sourced from various engine block manufacturers.

Chinese scooters / GY6

Chinese scooter brands typically use the GY6 engine type. There is a distinction between scooters with 10-inch wheels and those with 12-inch wheels. The length up to the rear wheel determines the engine casing, with the long model corresponding to 12-inch wheels and the short model to 10-inch wheels. There are also GY6 engines with long or short valves. We recommend referring to our technical drawings to find the right brand and scooter type.

Piaggio/Vespa

The PIAGGIO/VESPA brand uses its own engines. Older models have 2-stroke engines (with a separate oil lubrication system), while newer models are equipped with 4-stroke engines. Vespa models can have either a 2-valve or 4-valve 4-stroke engine. Models after 2010, with a maximum speed of 45 km/h, are generally equipped with 4-valve engines, while models with a maximum speed of 25 km/h always have 2-valve engines. You can check the sticker on your valve cover to determine if you have a 2-valve or 4-valve engine. Models from 2018 onwards are equipped with the I-GET injection system. To make the right choice, we advise using our technical drawings.

Minarelli

Many 2-stroke engines are manufactured by MINARELLI. This engine manufacturer has built both air-cooled and water-cooled engines. If they have a LAYDOWN CYLINDER, it's a MINARELLI HORIZONTAL. If they have an UPRIGHT CYLINDER, it's a MINARELLI VERTICAL. Refer to the technical drawings to see which scooter brands and types are equipped with a Minarelli engine.

Peugeot / Sym

PEUGEOT / SYM scooters with 2-stroke engines have their own Peugeot or SYM engines. The latest 4-stroke models primarily have a GY6 engine or a derivative of it. Tip: Check the technical drawings. For older Peugeot types, it is advisable to contact customer service as no technical drawings are available.

Mopeds

MOPEDS WITH A TRANSMISSION can be equipped with two types of engine blocks. DERBI models have their OWN ENGINE BLOCK, while other variants/brands are equipped with a MINARELLI AM6 engine.

NOTE: OUR TECHNICAL DRAWINGS ARE ONLY A SELECTION FROM OUR RANGE. CHECK THE MENU ON THE LEFT OR THE SEARCH BAR AT THE TOP RIGHT FOR ALL OUR PRODUCTS!

Quality differences in cylinder brands

Original assembly cylinders are always genuine. However, original cylinders from the respective manufacturers have one drawback: the price! Cylinders are available in many different qualities, as the price almost always determines the quality. Cheap cylinders are usually equipped with a cast iron cylinder wall. A cast iron wall is much lower in quality compared to, for example, a hard chrome-plated Nicosil wall. The drawback of a hard chrome-plated cylinder wall is the expensive production process and the fact that such cylinders cannot be re-bored in case of breakage. However, thermally, they are much more resistant and capable of withstanding much higher speeds.

Brands like  MKX, POWER 1, DMP, SP, or Creco usually offer cylinders in three qualities. A, as a replacement for the factory original; B as a cheaper alternative, and C as an economy cylinder. Personally, we never recommend a C-quality cylinder as they are essential for the proper functioning of your engine!

Brands like POLINI, MALOSSI, and to a lesser extent AIRSAL are generally TUNING CYLINDERS. These high-quality products are more expensive but often provide much more power than a standard replacement cylinder. However, keep in mind that simply replacing a cylinder is often not enough to make a scooter run faster/better. With 2-stroke engines, it is mainly the exhaust system that determines the final power output. But carburetor and clutch tuning are also crucial. 4-stroke engines are much less dependent on the exhaust system than a 2-stroke engine. The camshaft is crucial, especially in combination with your variator setting. Do you want 1-on-1 information? Send an email, and we will have a bit more time to provide you with good advice in consultation with our technical service!

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