kinda stupid question

I plan to destroke a 350 to a 302 shortly and I need some help on pistonsWould I have to get pistons made specifically for a 302 or would my 350 pistons work fine? Destroking would effect my CR a good lil bit wouldnt it? How so?

Im pretty new to destroking, normally Im working with people who want to go UP in cid. If I need specific pistons I'll just say screw it and go bigger like everyone else. I just got my block and if I dont need specific pistons Im going to pick up my crank soon.

 

You need 302 specific pistons. They would be the same diameter as whats used in a 350 (plus the overbore size) but the pin is in a different spot.

Look up by application for pistons for a '69 Z/28 Camaro, those came with a 302 with a 5.7" connecting rod. Stock they used a domed piston (11:1 compression with 64cc heads) but I'm sure others are available too.

As for compression ratio, changing stroke will affect it somewhat, but you should use the listed piston specs and the specs on whatever heads you use to figure out what the final ratio will be with the piston set you are looking at.

 

Thanks. I thought that was the case. I guess I'll be going larger like everyone else because Im not trying to spend that much money on 302 pistons. Plus, I would have super low compression because Im working with 75cc heads. Looks like its 355 or 383 for me. I suppose I could make more power that way anyways.

 

You need specific pistons for a 383, too.

 

Yes you do.

And if those 76cc heads are anything GM cast, then they will hold any small block back - 302, 350 or 383. You'll make more power by upgrading heads and staying with the 350 than you will with crappy heads on a 383.

You don't get your target compression ratio with a stroker/destroker set, you pick the displacement you want (302, 350, 383, etc), then you pick out the heads you want, then you choose pistons to match the heads and CI setup to get your target compression ratio.

 

I said screw it and am somewhat sadly trading off the bird so the small block is no longer needed. I'll miss it a little bit but I'll deff love the new toy at least as much.