Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

Since I have just about given up on finding a stock LS1 block at a reasonable price, I am contemplating just rebuilding the old block even though it has been honed before. What is the max piston to cylinder wall clearance I can get away with when rebuilding this engine? It is just a little more gap than I was hoping for, but I am thinking with a quick hone it wont be too bad. This will be for a daily driver with no power adders or after market parts, and will be used for a daily driver, about 500 miles /month. I will be using all stock internals, and the engine is out of a `98 Trans Am.
Thanks.

KCS

iTrader: (20)

You could have the skirts coated to get the piston-wall clearance back to spec. Calico Coatings and Polydyne are two that I know of who can do this. I think it's ~$150-200.

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

Thanks KCS.
What if that wasn`t an option? Anyone built one of these with the clearances being just a little more than ideal?

Tony Mamo @ AFR

iTrader: (13)

What type of alloy is the piston....or at least the brand/type....we can figure it out from there.

-Tony

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

They are stock pistons.

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

Back up.

racer7088

I'd coat them like KCS said and hone them as little as you can and still get them round.

Unfortunately you won't know how they clean up till you hone them.

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

Guys, would you still get them coated, even if they are only .001" over the max?

99RTA

iTrader: (-1)

Loose is fast butt it will prolly use some oil. I've seen some engines put together with loose pistons, they run great but used some oil.

racer7088

Probably would on a cast piston.

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, I would think it will use a little oil, and I am fine with that, so long as it isn`t a quart every 500 miles or so. And this will be a daily driver, and wont be driven hard.

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

Ok guys......so I am considering the coating option now, since $150-$200 isn`t too bad. Does anyone have experience with this? Am I looking at long turn around times? Is this something that I can have done locally, or is it something only a very few specific companies can do?
Thanks.

kelp

Your pistons are 15% less expansion than the attached spreadsheet. Better check with your engine builder

kelp

Oh, also I ceramic coated my piston tops, thermal dispersant coated the bottom and moly coated the sides. But, don't count on any of that. When metal expands, it expands.

Edit. Oh ok. That is for 2618 alloy. If you are using 4032 Alloy, then take 15% off my figures.

Hawk312

iTrader: (8)

racer7088

We use Polydyn right around the corner here in Houston but you are a lil far away!