Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Are forged pistons enough?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 08:51 AM
  #1  
EightBall's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Default Are forged pistons enough?

For large amounts of boost on a stock ci LS1, are forged pistons enough to handle 12+ psi without doing forged rods as well? Which is typically the first to go in a situation like this?
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 08:56 AM
  #2  
nitrorocket's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Default

This is the way I look at it with every motor I build. I never use anything questionable. Would'nt it suck to spend money to tear down the entire motor, hone the block, and then spend $900 on pistons and rings just to snap a rod! You would really be kicking yourself in the ***.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 09:05 AM
  #3  
ESR's Avatar
ESR
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 628
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default ....

ask cablebandit you can push it pretty far 12psi is easily achieveable as long as pistons are dished and/or 6.0L heads. Jerry chime in on this one and give your insight.

Originally Posted by EightBallWS6
For large amounts of boost on a stock ci LS1, are forged pistons enough to handle 12+ psi without doing forged rods as well? Which is typically the first to go in a situation like this?
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 09:11 AM
  #4  
EightBall's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Default

Im looking to get up to the 600 rwhp mark eventually with a turbo. I already have the 6.0L heads so my compression is down a few marks. I would get lower compression pistons if I were to do this, but I wanted to know if rods were a necessary upgrade in this situation. I have done a search and found conflicting opinions, some say the stock rods are great, some don't seem to agree so much. I'm looking for about a 9.0:1 compression once it's finished.

PS - are the LS6 rods any stronger than the stock LS1?
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 09:30 AM
  #5  
Wet 1's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by EightBallWS6
Im looking to get up to the 600 rwhp mark eventually with a turbo. I already have the 6.0L heads so my compression is down a few marks. I would get lower compression pistons if I were to do this, but I wanted to know if rods were a necessary upgrade in this situation. I have done a search and found conflicting opinions, some say the stock rods are great, some don't seem to agree so much. I'm looking for about a 9.0:1 compression once it's finished.

PS - are the LS6 rods any stronger than the stock LS1?
For what it's worth, I'm over 600 rwhp on my stock LS6 long block, but I don't spin it past 6400 rpm.

Forged pistons is a good call, but if I were going to go that far I think I'd spend at least another $500 on a set of Eagle rods. There are better rods out there, but I think the Eagle rods are a big improvment over stock for the $. If you don't want to change the rods when you have it all apart, at least add a set of ARP rod bolts... then again, by the time you buy the bolts and have everything balanced, you could almost buy that cheap set of Eagle rods.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 09:31 AM
  #6  
Boostaholic's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
Default

Just save up and get some rods too IMO
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 10:09 AM
  #7  
eviltwins's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
Default

Forged Eagle's have been in 7 second race cars turning 9000 RPM's and making 1400+ horsepower. If they're good enough for that, they're good enough for my car.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 10:22 AM
  #8  
Zombie's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas
Default

I was trying to do a stock rod forged piston motor. I had some try to disuade from doing it and after talking to a few, they are right. It's not because the stock rods aren't strong enough, it's because it's hard to find a piston that fits the stock rod! I called around and it's almost the same cost to do eagle rods + diamond pistons as it is to just get custom pistons made.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 10:36 AM
  #9  
ktmrider's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
Default

Rumor is the rods/pistons are fairly stout. Some of the truck guys have pounded stock motors right before a motor swap to find the limits ( took dry N2O and high boost to make it whimper ).
At a minimum slap in some aftermarket rod bolts ( ARP for me ). For the revs get some hardened or chromoly pushrods and have fun!
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 10:49 AM
  #10  
kp's Avatar
kp
8 Second Club
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,852
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville, TN
Default

I'll let you know in a month, the motor in the car I just bought has forged pistons (like 9.7:1 compression) and stock rods with the better ARP bolts. I dont forsee any problems with 12-13psi but I'll be the first to know
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 11:03 AM
  #11  
Zombie's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas
Default

Originally Posted by kp
I'll let you know in a month, the motor in the car I just bought has forged pistons (like 9.7:1 compression) and stock rods with the better ARP bolts. I dont forsee any problems with 12-13psi but I'll be the first to know
with forged pistons i'd be pushing 20-24 psi. When my car gets back up i'll be doing 12psi on the stock bottom end Darn clutch issues, can't get the sucker to bleed
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 11:12 AM
  #12  
ChevyNo1's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Default

Wow, you guys really like to push it

So how much boost do you think I can run on my new combo, 8.7:1 CR and 91 octane? Engine is fully built with forged pistons, Eagle rods, ARP rod bolts, ARP head studs, TEA 6.0 o-ringed heads, etc.

- Dug
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 02:13 PM
  #13  
Pro Stock John's Avatar
LS1Tech Co-Founder
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,329
Likes: 1,767
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Kevin, are the three reasons folks don't keep the stock rods are:
-Have to balance stuff anyway?
-Concerns about stock wrist pins?
-Limited piston choices?
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 05:04 PM
  #14  
EightBall's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Default

After having read through the responses, I decided to search for forged pistons that would fit stock rods. The first place I looked was thunder racing and I noticed that a bunch of the various Diamond piston models included the stock size .945 x 2.500 wrist pins, and one of the JE sets did as well. Are these simply not good brands and this is why people don't even bring them into the conversation or what?

-Mario
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:22 PM
  #15  
Badzracing's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: southern NJ
Default

Originally Posted by EightBallWS6
After having read through the responses, I decided to search for forged pistons that would fit stock rods. The first place I looked was thunder racing and I noticed that a bunch of the various Diamond piston models included the stock size .945 x 2.500 wrist pins, and one of the JE sets did as well. Are these simply not good brands and this is why people don't even bring them into the conversation or what?

-Mario
Diamond and Je are very good pistons.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:24 PM
  #16  
TTSSZ's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
Default

I’ve herd the stock wrist pins are the weakest link.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:24 PM
  #17  
EightBall's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Badzracing
Diamond and Je are very good pistons.
that is the impression Ive been under.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:35 PM
  #18  
cablebandit's Avatar
9 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (37)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,903
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland, OH
Default

i would get rods as well. I have always run stock rods but have recently seen some things I didnt like in them. They seemed fine to 600rwhp but after that, I think they are getting risky.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:40 PM
  #19  
Badzracing's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: southern NJ
Default

If you're gonn open it up, you might as well get some decent rods.
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:42 PM
  #20  
P Mack's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix
Default

I think AP engineering is having a group purchase on callies rods right now for 450.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:50 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE