Carrillo

Carrillo: A Legacy of Race-Proven Engine Performance

Few names in the high-performance engine world carry as much weight as Carrillo. Carrillo Industries was founded by Fred Carrillo in 1963 with a singular philosophy: no compromise in manufacturing. That same relentless pursuit of precision guides the brand today under its modern identity as CP-Carrillo, headquartered in Irvine, California.

The story of CP-Carrillo is one of strategic growth through shared passion. CP Pistons — founded by the Calvert Brothers and renowned for its cutting-edge piston technology — acquired Carrillo Industries, the premier supplier of high-performance connecting rods, creating a powerhouse under one roof. Later, the acquisition of the legendary Arias Pistons brand further expanded the catalog, bringing previously custom-only products to a wider audience of engine builders and racers.

Engineering Excellence, Built in the USA

CP-Carrillo designs and manufactures its pistons and connecting rods entirely in-house, leveraging advanced finite element analysis (FEA), 5-axis machining, and sophisticated computer modeling to optimize every component. Their engineers also specify additional hardware — including engine piston wrist pins, locks, rod fasteners, and piston rings — to their own exclusive tolerances, ensuring every part of the piston assembly works in harmony.

Wrist pins in particular are a critical Carrillo specialty. The wrist pin is the critical link between piston and connecting rod, subjected to extreme alternating loads, shearing, and bending forces with every combustion cycle. CP-Carrillo's proprietary Micro-Dimpled finish pins feature a refined, compacted surface texture that improves lubrication consistency, reduces friction, and minimizes the risk of wrist pin galling — available in both 5100 Chromoly and 9310 steel.

On the ring side, CP-Carrillo's hardware documentation covers ring end gaps, filing procedures, cylinder honing, and material selection, reflecting the brand's holistic approach to piston assembly performance. Their engine piston kits bring this ecosystem together, pairing precision-forged pistons with matched ring packages — such as the Bullet Series' 1.2mm, 1.5mm, and 3.0mm ring package with Chromoly wrist pins — for a complete, ready-to-install solution.

Trusted from the Racetrack to the Street

CP-Carrillo's OEM partnerships with manufacturers including GM, KTM, Porsche, GasGas, and Husqvarna speak to a level of engineering credibility that few aftermarket brands can claim. On the competition side, the brand's components have powered championship wins across drag racing, motocross, dirt modified racing, offshore powerboat competition, and more. The Bullet Series, introduced in 2015, brought that race-level quality to a broader price point without sacrificing the precision machining CP-Carrillo is known for.

Whether you're building a dedicated race engine or pushing a street build to its limits, CP-Carrillo's commitment to material quality, dimensional accuracy, and application-specific engineering makes them a benchmark brand for serious engine builders worldwide.