Currently i have a bone stock pre-03 lq4 (press fit first gen rods) and it has metallic in the oil. Engine still runs great but i dont want to risk it shooting a rod through the block, so its time for a rebuild.

the car is boosted and makes 500hp, however, i want more. I want to upgrade to the floating rods (i have a set from a 5.3 sitting here) but i do not know if the oem lq4 pistons have the circlip groove in them. I want to know before i tear it apart.

does anybody know if the pre 03 pistons have the circlip groove cut out?

if they do will it be a direct swap? (aside from getting the rotating assembly balanced)

thanks!

 

Why not just buy new flat top take out or replacement pistons and rings, they are cheap these days and will work with your gen 4 rods and give a boost in compression.
Jarhead

 

Dont you want lower compression under boosted applications?

 

I would go out and buy new forged pistons and I or H beam rods since you may turn up the boost.
I've used Mahle and Diamond pistons along with Eagle and Scat H beam rods with good results.

 

No, they do not.

 

Maybe in 1995 you did.