Any drawbacks to using forged pistons?
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Warner Robins, GA
Originally Posted by Irocss85
and yes, forged pistons will make more noise when cold due to thermal expansion. basically the forged pistons will grow as they heat up and not rock back and forth like they will when cold.
Let's talk brand for a second, what does everyone like?
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I used the Speed Pro forged pistons on my L98 build up. They came from the factory coated. They are quiet on start up. No piston slap.
Now my 2000 Tahoe is another story on start up. I can hear the piston slap on it.
Now my 2000 Tahoe is another story on start up. I can hear the piston slap on it.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Warner Robins, GA
Originally Posted by streetlegalls1
I just built my engine using manley rods and diamond pistons,the engine is quieter with the diamonds,no knocking.
Originally Posted by 1989GTA
I used the Speed Pro forged pistons on my L98 build up. They came from the factory coated. They are quiet on start up. No piston slap.
That's good to hear!
Last year I decided to have my block forged, because of its piston slap noise.
I'm no mecanic so I had LPE do the work, they used JE pistons, made out of 4032 hi-silicon forging material. Im told, this metal doesnt expand much, so these pistons can be installed with a tighter clearance...meaning less noise at cold start-up as compared to other type of forged materials.
Anyway, all I can say is the car sounds nice & mean at started, cold, warm or hot! No slapping at all.
I'm no mecanic so I had LPE do the work, they used JE pistons, made out of 4032 hi-silicon forging material. Im told, this metal doesnt expand much, so these pistons can be installed with a tighter clearance...meaning less noise at cold start-up as compared to other type of forged materials.
Anyway, all I can say is the car sounds nice & mean at started, cold, warm or hot! No slapping at all.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Warner Robins, GA
Originally Posted by Michael02hawk
Last year I decided to have my block forged, because of its piston slap noise.
I'm no mecanic so I had LPE do the work, they used JE pistons, made out of 4032 hi-silicon forging material. Im told, this metal doesnt expand much, so these pistons can be installed with a tighter clearance...meaning less noise at cold start-up as compared to other type of forged materials.
Anyway, all I can say is the car sounds nice & mean at started, cold, warm or hot! No slapping at all.
I'm no mecanic so I had LPE do the work, they used JE pistons, made out of 4032 hi-silicon forging material. Im told, this metal doesnt expand much, so these pistons can be installed with a tighter clearance...meaning less noise at cold start-up as compared to other type of forged materials.
Anyway, all I can say is the car sounds nice & mean at started, cold, warm or hot! No slapping at all.
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i used mahle forged pistons in mine and there is no piston slap or knocking (however the car has only 1000 miles on the motor os far).
but stated by another user, my pistons dont expand as much so the clearance can be tighter to avoid piston slap.
i saved some money and built my motor from the oil pan up.
but stated by another user, my pistons dont expand as much so the clearance can be tighter to avoid piston slap.
i saved some money and built my motor from the oil pan up.
My original 346 had noticable piston slap when cold. My forged 346 has no piston slap at all. Diamond pistons.
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2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
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2013 Corvette Grand Sport A6 LME forged 416, Greg Good ported TFS 255 LS3 heads, 222/242 .629"/.604" 121LSA Pat G blower cam, ARH 1 7/8" headers, ESC Novi 1500 Supercharger w/8 rib direct drive conversion, 747rwhp/709rwtq on 93 octane, 801rwhp/735rwtq on race fuel, 10.1 @ 147.25mph 1/4 mile, 174.7mph Half Mile.
2016 Corvette Z51 M7 Magnuson Heartbeat 2300 supercharger, TSP LT headers, Pat G tuned, 667rwhp, 662rwtq, 191mph TX Mile.
2009.5 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L, A6, AFR 230v2 heads. 506rwhp/442rwtq. 11.413 @ 121.29mph 1/4 mile, 168.7mph TX Mile
2000 Pewter Ram Air Trans Am M6 heads/cam 508 rwhp/445 rwtq SAE, 183.092 TX Mile
2022 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L A10 S&B CAI, Corsa catback.
2023 Corvette 3LT Z51 soon to be modified.
Custom LSX tuning in person or via email press here.
New modern forged pistons hardly make any noise over a stock piston if set up correctly. They are light years above the 60's-70's era forged slugs. I've had great results with Speedpro forged pistons in my marine engine builds. Have never had a problem and we run WOT for over 5 mins at times.
Originally Posted by jub jub
In your original block, were you plagued by the notorious "tick" even after the engine came up to normal operating temp? The reason I ask is, I have the problem and have never been able to pin-point the noise. I have always just assumed it was excessive piston to bore clearance. Another reason I want to switch to a forged block with 3.905 pistons.
So, only negligable power loss and no added noise.
Do they use oil? There was another (long) thread asking this but I can't remember the end answer. I'm thinking about attempting to rebuild my engine myself and I might spring for some forged pistons, but will probably keep the stockers if they look really good.
EDIT: And, by the way, my 109,000-mile '99 LS1 has never made any of this noise people are talking about, other than a very little valve train "sewing machine" noise.
Do they use oil? There was another (long) thread asking this but I can't remember the end answer. I'm thinking about attempting to rebuild my engine myself and I might spring for some forged pistons, but will probably keep the stockers if they look really good.
EDIT: And, by the way, my 109,000-mile '99 LS1 has never made any of this noise people are talking about, other than a very little valve train "sewing machine" noise.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Warner Robins, GA
Originally Posted by Sharpe
Do they use oil? There was another (long) thread asking this but I can't remember the end answer.
Well, I'm starting to get a good feeling now about going forged. Kind of makes all warm and fuzzy inside.
