question about forged pistons
05-20-2002, 12:47 AM
#1
question about forged pistons This is what someone told me and I'd like to get some opinions on whether this is accurate or not.
"I was talking to a guy about the whole piston thing and he said when you change from the stock pistons to custom forged you have to leave a little more space(.003") on the side from the stock recomendations due to that forged ones have a tendency to expand so along w/ the extra space between the piston and bore you will have the pistons banging around inside. And w/ forged ones they retain more heat and in turn will cause some power loss."
I have a 3.8 V6 so I have to send my pistons to Wiseco or Ross and get custom ones made since noone makes forged ones for my engine. I'm hoping to get them made as accurately as possible.
"I was talking to a guy about the whole piston thing and he said when you change from the stock pistons to custom forged you have to leave a little more space(.003") on the side from the stock recomendations due to that forged ones have a tendency to expand so along w/ the extra space between the piston and bore you will have the pistons banging around inside. And w/ forged ones they retain more heat and in turn will cause some power loss."
I have a 3.8 V6 so I have to send my pistons to Wiseco or Ross and get custom ones made since noone makes forged ones for my engine. I'm hoping to get them made as accurately as possible.
05-20-2002, 05:32 AM
#2
TECH Addict
Re: question about forged pistons Retaining more heat, as opposed to transfering more heat, would mean forged piston would help capture more power, not less. I am surprised you cant find shelf pistons for your 3.8, try J.E. pistons.
05-20-2002, 10:03 AM
#3
FormerVendor
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Re: question about forged pistons The piston to bore clearance is difference for each alloy of piston and also varies based on block material as well. My Lunati 4032 forged pistons required .005"-.006" in an iron block versus .002"-.003" for the LS1 aluminum block. Bore size is also a factor...
Check with some of the turbo buick guys for their piston suppliers. Your 3.8 is the same engine as the buick.
Shane
Check with some of the turbo buick guys for their piston suppliers. Your 3.8 is the same engine as the buick.
Shane
05-20-2002, 03:11 PM
#4
Re: question about forged pistons Typical forged piston application on the LS1 is about .006 piston-to-cylinder-wall clearance. Not sure what stock is though. A lot depends on the silicon content of the pistons. You do need a little extra space because the pistons swell a little as they warm up. This is what makes forged internals a little noiser at start-up. Extra space promotes a little piston slap when cold.
05-21-2002, 09:09 AM
#5
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Re: question about forged pistons The 3.8 shares history with the Turbobuick, but very few parts. I believe you'd be hardpressed to find Turbo Buick parts that fit that motor.
Buick guys have explored this avenue since the newer 3800 motors have some trick parts/features compared to the 15 year old turbo V6's the Buicks have.
Brian Green
89 TTA
Buick guys have explored this avenue since the newer 3800 motors have some trick parts/features compared to the 15 year old turbo V6's the Buicks have.
Brian Green
89 TTA
