Caldwell Racing Technologies (CRT), under the leadership of engine design specialist and winning drag racer Matthew Caldwell, continues to set benchmarks in marine race technology with the release of the CRT Top Pinned Forged Strutted Race Piston Sets.
Offered by Buckshot Racing #77, these assemblies are purpose-built for Mercury Racing 2.5L V6 2-stroke outboards, delivering a direct, high-performance replacement for numerous discontinued OEM pistons, including part numbers 827352T9, 827352T20, 827353T9, 827353T20, and their equivalents.
Manufactured by Wiseco Performance Products in Mentor, Ohio, each piston is forged from exclusive, high-strength alloys and CNC-machined to exacting race specifications. These kits are designed to withstand the punishing demands of competition engines, making them a top choice for high-output Mercury Racing platforms such as the 245 HP Carb, 260 HP EFI, 280 ROS, 300 Drag, F1 tunnel hull, and S3000 configurations.
Built for Extreme RPM Durability
Engineered for applications pushing 10,000 RPM, each CRT piston incorporates Wiseco’s ArmorGlide™ skirt coating to minimize friction and improve wear resistance under high load. An additional Electra-coating treatment reduces wrist pin and ring scuffing, extending component and cylinder life. These surface technologies work in concert with the piston’s thermally balanced architecture to maintain stability through the severe temperature swings typical in high-RPM 2-stroke racing.
Strutted Design for Maximum Strength
The integrated strutted—or “boxed”—inner structure reinforces the critical skirt-to-crown junction, preventing deformation under rapid acceleration and deceleration forces. This rigidity ensures consistent ring seal, stable combustion, and long-term reliability in both Nikasil-lined and steel sleeve cylinder bores.
Lightweight, Flexible, and Race-Optimized
Precision machining and optimized forging geometry produce a piston that is both lightweight and exceptionally strong. The design supports both long and short slip-fit wrist pins without compromising pin boss integrity. The 1.5 mm race-cut ring lands are tuned for ideal flame travel and scavenging efficiency, enabling high-compression builds while preserving service life.
For Nikasil applications, a 3.500" bore with a diamond-hone finish is recommended. For steel sleeve applications, a 3.503"–3.504" bore with a 45-degree heavy cross-hatch pattern is advised. These pistons are fully compatible with the Mercury OEM Gold Ring Set (840663A12), making them a true drop-in solution for professional race builds.
Precision-Matched Kits
Each kit includes six (6) 1.5 mm dual-ring, top-pinned pistons, six (6) wrist pins, and circlips—all meticulously weight-matched for optimal rotational balance. Optional lightweight wrist pins and OEM Mercury Gold Rings are available for further performance tuning.
Direct OEM Replacement Compatibility
The CRT Forged Strutted Piston Kits are engineered as direct replacements for Mercury Racing OEM pistons, covering a wide range of part numbers including 848200A12, 840663A12, 848201A12, 827352-8, 827352T20, 827352T9, 827352-6, 827352A13, 827353T20, 827353T9, 827353-6, 827353A13, 8273538, and 2717-827352-8.
Proven Racing Pedigree
With CRT’s expertise in billet race component engineering and Wiseco’s decades-long legacy in high-performance piston manufacturing, these kits deliver uncompromising reliability, precision, and power. Whether the goal is maximum top-end speed in a 300 Drag, endurance in an offshore 280 ROS, or finely tuned agility in an F1 tunnel hull, these pistons are built for the demands of professional 2-stroke marine racing.
Includes a set of six (6) CRT Top Pinned Forged Strutted Race Pistons. Gold Rings are available upon request. Lighten Short Race Wrist Pins are available on the website.
Contact Mike Hill at +1-714-697-1716 or email mike@buckshotracing77.com for technical support.