thendawg

So Im working on a budget build with my LS2. Due to sitting in the engine bay for quite awhile, the cylinder walls have developed a bit of surface rust. It looks to be bad enough that Ill need to go to a .005 or .010 over piston. Now, being a budget build, Ive been looking at the Autotec pistons that you can pick up for around $525 with rings. The plan is to run their -3cc piston with 317 heads to yield a 10:1 comp ratio. Ive seen a couple guys use these in 700-900whp builds and they seem to hold up quite well. My debate is on if I should just stick with stock rods (rods are in perfect shape), or if I should go with a cheap rod like the Scat I Beams. I know the same rods in the LS2 are used in the newer 5.3's which many people push to 800+whp. My goal for the car is around 700-750whp (single turbo) on E85 through a T56. Whats your opinion?

redtan

iTrader: (5)

Kinda pushing the envelope there with 4032 pistons and stock rods at 900rwhp.

Really depends on what you mean by well. Running them hard for thousands of miles a year I doubt such will hold up well. A couple runs here and there might last.

I'd do some wiseco pistons for $650 and some scat I beams like you said. That should hold up just fine at the power level.

thendawg

Sorry if I misstated, my goal is only 700-750whp. I was just saying Ive seen other people push them that far.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

That may be true, but we need a better definition of what you consider "holding up quite well".

Yes people have pushed those parts that far and have survived, but for how long? If you want them to hold up quite well, you will be pushing it.

mebuildit

I would play it safe and put good rods and pistons in. Better to do it once than twice with a broken engine.

Sean At CBM

Stock bottom end and big hp don't go good together....