Chuck

Planning my off-season modifcations and need some advice on the best choice of pistons.
Running a 98 LS1 with ARE Stage II Heads and a Lunati 224/224 (nitrous cam...all of the other stuff is in my sig) I've made good motor runs, but have yet to add nitrous this season.
Next year I want to add the nitrous and be able to spray as big a shot as I can get away with.
I know this will require upgrades on the fuel system (already in the works), but I'm undecided about what brand of forged pistons to go with: JE, Ross, Federal.Mogul? And how about Rods....Lunati, Manley..? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chuck

ramairJP

iTrader: (3)

chuck,

I have seen a lot of JE pistons go through some hot 4-stroke quad motors and have never heard of anyone having a problem with them. IMO they are the top of the line piston, and I think they are pretty much the standard piston in Winston Cup motors. A very well respected engine builder I know well uses only JEs. Ross pistons also have a very good reputation as being "one of the best". I would personally stick with either one of those two brands.

For rods, I would only put Oliver billet steel rods in... especially for your application. I think Luanti makes some very good parts (you can't go wrong with them, either), but I feel Olivers are the best. They also make some really slick titanium rods <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0"> .

Of course, those are just my opinions of what I would use... hope this helps.

John

Terry Burger

iTrader: (4)

With a mild N2O shot and enough fuel you should be ok on the stock motor, but if you break the stock pistons you might also break forged ones. Just leave the shortblock stock until something goes, then figure out why it went.

AZZKICKER

Terry I think we are talking about a seriouse shot here. Probably at least a 250 shot and maybe even a direct port shot. I know Chuck wants to run the most he can on a good rod piston setup.

Enough to brake the stock ones!

Chuck I forgot about the olivers they are very good!

mikey

iTrader: (6)

Chuck, there's more than just pistons needed to run that kind of NO2 safely. You will need ARP rod bolts, ARE head bolts, copper head gaskets, custom Ross racing piston with larger top ring. Upgraded fuel system (twin pumps).

Call me and we can talk. Nick and I are putting together short block kits for just such an application. They are complete short blocks purchased on a core exchange.

Mikey

Chuck

Thanks guys! All excellent points.
Mikey,
yes, I already knew about the head bolts and gaskets. At this point, I would like to narrow down the choices of products and do some more research. Will give you a try tomorrow at your shop.

Thanks,
Chuck

ChrisB

I would go with the JE's (not a big fan of ross, at least their older stuff - don't know about now) but you literally and honestly simply can not go wrong with a JE.

As mikey pointed out, if you are planning for a large shot (I would say >= 250) you probably want to get a set of nitrous specific pistons (with the larger first land/dropped first gap, etc.)

Chris