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Old Oct 17, 2006 | 11:40 PM
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Default Forged Pistons

I bought an LS1 for uber cheap hoping I could hone it and put it back together but unfortunately the scratches were too deep (on a 18,000 mile engine unbelievably). Anyways since nobody makes hyper pistons for Ls1's I am gonna go with some forged ones and its not a bad idea anyways. I would like to get some rods too but its not in the budget and I won't be spraying more than a 150 shot and not very often at that.

So here is my ? What brand is best for forged. Right now I am looking at buying some Mahles for 3.905 and don't really want to pay what they are asking for lunati pistons. Any input is appreciated.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 01:15 AM
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Bump for the nite anyone?
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 07:14 AM
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you might be able to find you a set in the for sale section for a good deal if you can wait a few weeks until you find the bore/compression height you need. for no more than a 150 shot most of the forged pistons will work.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 02:15 PM
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Ya I have been keeping my eye on the for sale section for that very reason. Seems like a few of the piston brands are around the $500-$600 range so I was just hoping to get some feedback from people who have run/are running various brands.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 02:30 PM
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All of the major brands of forged pistons are good quality. be sure to get you some ARP rod bolts too, the stock ones are a very weak point in these engines. Its cheap insurance.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 02:34 PM
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im running a set of probe forged pistons right now and they only set me back around $540 theyre working for me and im planning on spraying with a 200 shot hopefully sometime soon and theyre are actually for that same bore size as well.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 02:36 PM
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I am running weisco forged pistone in my motor.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 04:39 PM
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Diamond,Wiseco and mahle are 3 off the top. I have heard bad things about lunati since they were brought out a few years back.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 04:41 PM
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Thanks for the replies guys. I think I have it narrowed down to either mahle or diamond. I just gotta decide on what C/R to go with now.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by The stunningman
Diamond,Wiseco and mahle are 3 off the top. I have heard bad things about lunati since they were brought out a few years back.
i would say JE and wiseco are the top pistons
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 08:10 PM
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i am with ryan about the JE pistons but i think a lot of people have had good luck with the diamonds sense the JE are about 900 for the good ones. and why waist your time with the pistons only. bye some rods for 600 and pistons for 600 keep the stock crank and know your engine can see 700 to 800 rwhp with no problems.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 08:43 PM
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The problem is pistons weren't in the budget to begin with as I hadn't planned on having to bore the block. Therefore rods are definitely not in the budget unfortunately. From what I have read the stock ones are pretty strong and I really don't plan on spraying nitrous often. I am only doing it now because I am buying forged pistons so I figure what the heck go for it.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 08:48 PM
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I always had in the back of my head if I were to do a somewhat cheap build up, using forged pistons and stock rods, I would go with the 6.0l lq9 rods. In the article below it mentions they are stronger than the other gen III rods. That is an option for a stronger rod without breaking the bank, but it does weigh more.

http://www.automotiverebuilder.com/ar/eb040538.htm
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 08:50 PM
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Scoggin-Dickie frequently has nice setups on sale. Found my Mahle's there.
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Old Oct 18, 2006 | 11:28 PM
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Checked out the Scoggin Dickey side good stuff for anybody else who might be looking.
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 04:10 AM
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Originally Posted by pist0lpete
I bought an LS1 for uber cheap hoping I could hone it and put it back together but unfortunately the scratches were too deep (on a 18,000 mile engine unbelievably). Anyways since nobody makes hyper pistons for Ls1's I am gonna go with some forged ones and its not a bad idea anyways. I would like to get some rods too but its not in the budget and I won't be spraying more than a 150 shot and not very often at that.

So here is my ? What brand is best for forged. Right now I am looking at buying some Mahles for 3.905 and don't really want to pay what they are asking for lunati pistons. Any input is appreciated.
WHAT happened to IT?!?!
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 02:38 PM
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I assume the guy ran it like hell from the day it was new never letting the rings seat at all.
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