Critique My build
Just get a good 5.3 salvage yard pull and be done with the shortblock worry process. They are super strong for your power level. Do not fail to overlook the "value" of the LS engine is cheap power with factory parts. Once you start looking at forged this and forged that you end up spending your way into an area where the budget is blown on parts that are just not needed. Would you rather have a Salvage yard L92 with a nice cam than a forged 5.3 shortblock? The neat thing about salvage 5.3's is if you break one you just go get another. One more option might be to bore your existing 5.3 to LS1 bore diameter and use a set of factory take out pistons to make a 5.7. I know I am spitting out random stuff here; but you might also look into the truck intakes. LS6 is nice; but the newer truck intakes make some power and might fit under your hood. Last, a budget turbo might be something to consider. If you went with a 5.3 and an LS6 cam your power goals would be easy to obtain and the drivability would be stock until you put your foot into boost. 5.3's love boost and can live a nice happy life at your goal level.
The Probe FPS pistons would have been perfect, but they're for a 3.902" bore not a 3.905". Bang for the buck, those are some pretty awesome pistons.
I'll use Summit as an example because it's one of the only places I know of that has a good enough parts search engine to illustrate my point. If I filter pistons by 2001 Chevy V8 (all bore diameters) and a 6.098" rod I get 19 results. If I use a 6.125" rod I get 283. They don't show 6.100" as a rod length that any piston they carry is based on although I think they are just lumped into the 6.098" category. So straying from a 6.125" rod length really limits your choices.
If I use a 3.905" bore I get 2 results with a 6.098" rod. With a 6.125", 15.
If I use a 3.905" bore I get 2 results with a 6.098" rod. With a 6.125", 15.
I'll use Summit as an example because it's one of the only places I know of that has a good enough parts search engine to illustrate my point. If I filter pistons by 2001 Chevy V8 (all bore diameters) and a 6.098" rod I get 19 results. If I use a 6.125" rod I get 283. They don't show 6.100" as a rod length that any piston they carry is based on although I think they are just lumped into the 6.098" category. So straying from a 6.125" rod length really limits your choices.
If I use a 3.905" bore I get 2 results with a 6.098" rod. With a 6.125", 15.
If I use a 3.905" bore I get 2 results with a 6.098" rod. With a 6.125", 15.
therefore, in the OP's situation, a 3.905 piston with a 1.331 would in most cases be 50 bucks over a shelf set.
However, check out page 3 of http://diamondracing.net/pdf/Chevy-Section.pdf Diamond has 2 sets of stock 3.905 pistons with stock wrist pins and a 6.098 rod. one true flat top, and one with 2cc's worth of valve releifs. most other companies offer the same.
but yes, there are many more options for a 6.125 rod, but ones for a 945 wrist pin, stock rod are not hard to find either.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Murray, KY
Yeah I know, I gotta check the bore myself just going off what I was told by the guy I bought it from. They're for a 3.092 bore, I'm assuming that means they are machined to properly fit that bore with rings? Is there anyway to use these pistons if my bore really is a 3.905 short of having it re-sleeved? I wonder how much Probe would charge to make a set for 3.905, hahaha! Anyway, I guess have to look at pistons, I love the price of the Probes, I'd like to keep a stock bottom end with forged pistons so if I do decide to hit it with nitrous I can run a little bigger shot. Anything forged pistons out there for around $400 compatible with 3.905? I've looked at I think everything and can't seem to find anything. If not, what about hyper's? They don't seem to be very plentiful.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Murray, KY
I emailed Probe about a set of 3.905 on a stock rod. We'll see, I'll pay $50 more for the set, haven't heard of any problems with them and that is still significantly cheaper than any other forged pistons I can find to fit my criteria.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Murray, KY
Would I be better off with a set of hand ported 799's than having the 862's ported, polished, and bigger intake valves put in? I know I will be money ahead but what about power?
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: SE Iowa
You can also use the pistons for the 6.125 rod and deck the block .025 thats a possibility too. So really it just depends how much you want to spend.
I put speed pros in my motor but i didnt go for performance. Mines a 00 chevy 2500 that i need to pull a 28' trailer. Of course forged is better but $$ was the key.
I put speed pros in my motor but i didnt go for performance. Mines a 00 chevy 2500 that i need to pull a 28' trailer. Of course forged is better but $$ was the key.
