clemsondave

I am rebuilding my daily driver 1500 HD with the LQ4 6.0l. Looking to up the compression a little. No need to go forged. I'm just looking for more low end torque for towing. I'll also be adding a mild cam 210/216, .556/.561", 114LSA 112 ICL

Has anyone ever seen a flat top OEM piston? I have only found forged at >$600.

If not, do you think it is wise to mill the 317 heads 6cc, from 72 to 66cc?

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

The diff is not all that much, you would prob get more from putting a thinner gasket or having the head decked Had there been a OEM style flat top, it would help but to spend the $$ on a semi custom forged doesnt make sense.

GMCtrk

iTrader: (23)

Just get LS2 pistons. Same as the LQ9. Will bring your compression to 10.1:1

clemsondave

Since this is a budget, daily driver build and will never see FI, I don't see the need for forged pistons. I can get cast dished pistons for $250. All the forged and LS2 pistons I have seen are $600+. Plus, I think cast pistons will be quieter since they won't expand like forged and the shop can adhere to tighter tolerances.

Maybe I'm not looking in the right places. Are there any OEM LS2 pistons for $500 or less?

GMCtrk

iTrader: (23)

correct me if I'm wrong, but lq9/ls2 pistons aren't forged.

I'd imagine you'd be able to find some lq9 pistons pretty cheap if you're willing to use a used set.

pdbq

iTrader: (7)

I tried looking for some standard bore, forged flat tops for my LQ4 but they only make them in a .030 size. Got those instead, now I gotta get the boring done...

Of course I could have also gotten some LS2 pistons, but I want reliability just in case I want to spray...

clemsondave

That's what I'm looking for. +.030 flat top pistons. Which ones did you get & where?

I don't mind forged as long as they are around $500 or less. Can you use stock rods with forged pistons?

pdbq

iTrader: (7)

The pistons I got were made by Diamond. I believe they were a little over $500 for forged. The are 4.030" flat tops with valve reliefs. Because my original pistons were pressed in, I'm actually gonna convert over to floating so I can use my stock rods. Pressed in pistons are junk once you remove them from rods. So pretty much my stock cast dish pistons will be scrap pretty soon...

RyderTA

iTrader: (3)

I think you'd be better off just milling the heads some to gain your comp bump. I put a LQ9 in my 99 Silverado last August, but it's just stock still.

clemsondave

Can 317 heads be milled from 72 to 66cc? Valve clearance? Shorter pushrods?