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5.3l with 4.8l pistons

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Old 05-11-2010, 06:37 PM
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Default 5.3l with 4.8l pistons
Hey guys im building a 5.3 Lm7 and am installing flat top 4.8 pistons. Is there any need to balance the engine now since it will have new pistons?
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:10 PM
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how are you going to install 4.8 pistons? the CD is different, more than likely it will stick too far out of the hole.
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by bww3588
how are you going to install 4.8 pistons? the CD is different, more than likely it will stick too far out of the hole.
it wont stick out the hole, they ar just flat tops as apposed to the dished 5.3 pistons. I just wasnt sure if it needed balancing since the piston weight would be different
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:14 PM
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.178 out of the hole to be exact.

4.8 pistons wont work.
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:16 PM
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they will stick out of the hole. the compression depth is different for the shorter stroke of the 5.3

the compression depth of the 4.8 piston is 1.498 and the compression depth of the 5.3 piston is 1.328 ish.
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:16 PM
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they do work, dont come out of the hole either

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Old 05-11-2010, 09:19 PM
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check out the build sheet on this thread...
http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sho...ht=4.8+pistons
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:23 PM
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alrighty, i stand corrected. the rod length is different. search>me.

to address your balancing issue, i would have it balanced. but keep in mind stock engines are no where near 0 balance...i would still have it done just for peace of mind.
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Old 05-11-2010, 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by bww3588
alrighty, i stand corrected. the rod length is different. search>me.

to address your balancing issue, i would have it balanced. but keep in mind stock engines are no where near 0 balance...i would still have it done just for peace of mind.
yeah i know the balance was not perfect from the factory, but i do know that the 5.3 pistons have a 7cc dish and that has to change the weight some from using flat tops now. Not sure if its enough to worry about though
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Old 05-13-2010, 12:12 PM
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wow, i saw what i need to build in the garage for a couple hundo.. to a grand
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Old 05-13-2010, 05:45 PM
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Default Pistons
70 two Nova, What pistons did you go with ?

I've searched for forged 4.8 pistons = nodda ?
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Old 05-13-2010, 05:46 PM
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I bought a set from speed pro, h855cp
they arent forged though
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Old 05-13-2010, 11:29 PM
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Try putting the 4.8 pistons on the drivers side then install the 5.3 pistons on the passenger side. This should balance well if my math is correct. Just make sure to mill the head with 5.3 pistons to even out the compression ratio.
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Old 05-13-2010, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by vannatta20
Try putting the 4.8 pistons on the drivers side then install the 5.3 pistons on the passenger side. This should balance well if my math is correct. Just make sure to mill the head with 5.3 pistons to even out the compression ratio.
so 4 heavier pistons and 4 lighter pistons = balanced? what kind of math you doin boy?
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Old 05-14-2010, 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by vannatta20
Try putting the 4.8 pistons on the drivers side then install the 5.3 pistons on the passenger side. This should balance well if my math is correct. Just make sure to mill the head with 5.3 pistons to even out the compression ratio.
aahhh why didnt I think of that!!!??? Mitch youre a genius! lol
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Old 05-14-2010, 04:55 AM
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i've heard it all now, what next if i use the power ball/mother's wax on my heads i'll have a port /polish
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Old 05-14-2010, 08:12 AM
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just teasing my buddy
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Old 05-15-2010, 12:55 AM
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If anybody needs some stock 4.8 piston/rods I have a nice set of stockers from a donor motor I have. Make me an offer.
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Old 05-15-2010, 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by LSX92Stepside
If anybody needs some stock 4.8 piston/rods I have a nice set of stockers from a donor motor I have. Make me an offer.
ahh now you tell me lol. I could have used those about 2 weeks ago... lol
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Old 05-16-2010, 11:18 AM
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Just saw this thread. What a great idea. I have a stock 5.3 LM7 sitting on the engine stand and this looks like a great thing to do. Looks like I'll be doing this when I'm ready to drop the engine in my '78 Z28.
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