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What the hell are they? Never seen this before. This 5.3 has 6 pistons with these crosses, and two without. Just trying to find out why... I was given a donor block by the auto shop teacher for one of the schools i maintain, we both brain farted and i tore down a 4.8 and took the parts to the machine shop. Who called the next day to remind me im a dingle berry, so shop teacher pulled the rest of the 5.3 long blocks to inspect. Neither of us has seen this before, so just wondering if the pistons with the crosses are OEM or what.
From what I've been led to understand, both types (with and w/o cross) are from different suppliers but are the same spec. They are interchangeable in every way. Both are dished 8cc in the 5.3 case, and flat top in the 4.8 case.
I have never seen an engine with both cross and smooth pistons, someone correct me if im wrong but I would assume some of them have been replaced. Either way that thing looks quite NASTY.... who am I kidding its probably ready to lay down 1000rwhp ... lol
Heck every Gen3 5.3 I’ve ever even in had the plus signs on the pistons. I’ve never seen them in a Gen4 5.3… I’d say someone has been in it before and did some swapping. If it was from a shop class, I’m sure it was torn down a lot.
Heck every Gen3 5.3 I’ve ever even in had the plus signs on the pistons. I’ve never seen them in a Gen4 5.3… I’d say someone has been in it before and did some swapping. If it was from a shop class, I’m sure it was torn down a lot.
There were 4x total GM LS v8 long blocks from kids swapping to 6.0 or swapping a worn out engine for a junkyard pick. One was a 4.8, this one i pictured and one more half torn apart 5.3, 4th one still in long block form and relatively untouched. The other 5.3 has all smooth pistons. This block with the plus signs/crosses was the oldest he had in the shop, and just straight nasty. Pistons did not want to move, but i persuaded them with a hammer and chunk of wood.
Dropping everything at the machine shop today.
Going with G&G Performance in Tomball. Anyone in the Houston area ever heard of them?
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Pistons with a cross on them.... 
