ok JE pistons look really nice but they also carry a huge price...KB pistons are 1/2 the price and carry a good reput as well...What does everyone think? Are you payin for the name on the JE pistons...any other brands out there that are just as good or better for less?

also one other q...i read a member saying that for forced induction you want a heavier piston as opposed to a lighter (gram weight) piston...is that right?

 

I have Speed Pro forged pistons. They were so cheap i was actually debating whether i should buy them or not. They seemed almost too cheap. But i figured for the money i cant go wrong. And they have held up so far.

 

with the GNs there are guys who are running near single digits using TRW forged pistons. Don't get me wrong, they're HEAVY slugs compared to a lot of other makers. But other then that the L2441F30s are used in a lot of Sy/Tys (turbo 4.3L, same slugs) with very good results.

 

i cant find where to buy the TRWs from what ive read they dont make them anymore...true?...would the lighter weight hurt the performance or life of the piston?

i think that weight is the least of my cares...im looking for strongest, longest lasting, performance, and priced under $400 for a set of 8...i just dont understand JE pistons $700+ price tag anyone have any opinions on that?

thx for all input guys

 

I went with Wiseco's

 

trw are damn strong, but heavy. I use probe pistons on my car they were 400 and I run a 250 shot on them. no problems to date. Have busted a few trw's though.
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Keith blacks are not good with power adders. I have busted many of them too. They are a stronger hypertectic but no where near the strength of TRW's. I think TRW even coats their skirts now . Lotta piston for the money, if only they were lighter!

 

Ross Racing Pistons are more than the $400 you mentioned but are superb; and you can't go wrong with a set of forged Speed Pro for the $$$. For the weight, you generally get more weight because of the strength design (more heat load, etc. from forced induction).

 

I've used Speed Pro power forged, no problems. Then when I went to 383ci, I went with SRP, a little spin-off from JE, same exact quality as JE, same factory, less money. I am running 12psi right now, no problems so far. I ordered the SRP's through Jegs, they weren't in the catalog but the sales people were helpful and gave me the best price.

 

I run a set of 383 Speed pro forged pistons with the anti friction coat and they have been great so far! Most I have leaned on them is a 175 shot but I think they will handle a lot more. Best bang for the buck!

 

Suprised nobody mentioned diamond psitons ?

 

I have Probe and everyone around here seemded to recomend them

 

KB Hypers are better than you'll ever need them to be IF YOU'RE NOT RUNNING BOOST/NITROUS. Yes, I run them in my roots-blown 383, but you do NOT want to try to copy what I am doing.

If you're running N/A only you'll never break a set of KBs.

 

Im not talking crap about you, but i dont see how you can break STOCK pistons N/A. I never have, even with 180,000 miles on them.

 

It is all about the tune for a given engine if the engine has a decent quench and oil not in the chambers. If you keep the pistons from rattling they last longer. Using stronger pistons allow you to be off or on the hairy edge and not break as quickly as cast or hyperuetectics would.

It all depends on the tuning skills and the amount you have to spend on pistons. I have been eye balling 406ci pistons up and down. Everytime I end up going back to wanting the KB 30cc dish pistons for boost.

 

When I first got my car it was running 7.7's @ 90MPH in the 1/8th. It had the superram on it and certain cylinders had a tendancy to run lean. the leanness cause some TRW's to break. If the tune is not right you can break em N/A.

I have since used probe's and gone carb and run 6.6's @ 103 in the 1/8th. I have had the fuel pressure cut off come on a few times on the spray with no problems. I have ran the motor for 3 years with as much as a 250 shot from time to time with no problems.

 

Well of course the tune can break pistons. I was assuming he means with a good tune.