MustangWorks.com : Ford Forums - View Single Post - Choosing pistons to complement GT40P heads

Capri306 · 10-20-2005, 09:14 PM

I still have the 1973 351W block, and believe me, I wanted to use it for this. However, due to the budget contraints, it'd be too much right now, especially for what I have planned for it.

Breaks my heart I can't do the 408 & blower combination, but I'd probably need $10k for that little number.

I would go for a short block, but I don't trust other people's work; it's a personal thing, probably a product of seeing others' work fail on a consistent basis (I work retail parts, so guess how many shady mechanics' work I've seen). Mebbe it's the fact I'm born an engineer (and studying to be one at the moment). If I build an engine, and that puppy pops, I would know I have no one to blame but myself. If I installed one built by someone else and it popped, I'd be going back to them for blood.

andy669: I got a flat rate for all of the work from the machine shop, so it's no biggie that it'll take more time. This engine's not going to see over the factory rev limit of 6250rpm anyway, so total mass isn't critical. However, differentiation between the individual pistons isn't a good sign; to me, it indicates a lack of manufacturing quality control. So I will definitely keep that in mind as I finalize my selection. Thanks for the heads-up on the Speed Pros and for your experience with them.

FWIW, I really like the Wiseco pistons.

However, I think I'm limited to choosing between forged and hypereutectic TRW/SpeedPro/Sealed Power pistons by my budget. The forged ones yield 10.13:1 CR, whereas the hypers are only 9.08:1, so I believe that may be the deciding factor right there. Thanks again for the tips!!!

10-20-2005, 09:14 PM	#1
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	Re: Choosing pistons to complement GT40P heads I still have the 1973 351W block, and believe me, I wanted to use it for this. However, due to the budget contraints, it'd be too much right now, especially for what I have planned for it. Breaks my heart I can't do the 408 & blower combination, but I'd probably need $10k for that little number. I would go for a short block, but I don't trust other people's work; it's a personal thing, probably a product of seeing others' work fail on a consistent basis (I work retail parts, so guess how many shady mechanics' work I've seen). Mebbe it's the fact I'm born an engineer (and studying to be one at the moment). If I build an engine, and that puppy pops, I would know I have no one to blame but myself. If I installed one built by someone else and it popped, I'd be going back to them for blood. andy669: I got a flat rate for all of the work from the machine shop, so it's no biggie that it'll take more time. This engine's not going to see over the factory rev limit of 6250rpm anyway, so total mass isn't critical. However, differentiation between the individual pistons isn't a good sign; to me, it indicates a lack of manufacturing quality control. So I will definitely keep that in mind as I finalize my selection. Thanks for the heads-up on the Speed Pros and for your experience with them. FWIW, I really like the Wiseco pistons. However, I think I'm limited to choosing between forged and hypereutectic TRW/SpeedPro/Sealed Power pistons by my budget. The forged ones yield 10.13:1 CR, whereas the hypers are only 9.08:1, so I believe that may be the deciding factor right there. Thanks again for the tips!!! __________________ Capri306, Moderator The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri 1987 5.0L Mustang LX Notchback 1993 5.8L Eddie Bauer Bronco Last edited by Capri306; 10-20-2005 at 11:06 PM..