Choosing pistons to complement GT40P heads

Capri306 · 10-20-2005, 04:42 PM

Thanks for responding so quickly, guys! Yes, I'm not looking for the fastest Mustang possible built on factory parts (even though that would be awesome!). I'm just trying to build something I'll be happy with: great performance without reliability problems or high cost. I know it's a virtual oxymoron, isn't it?

I just added up the machining costs and the cost of the other parts I'll need for this project. Looks like it'll leave approximately $450 for pistons in my budget, which is a total of $2k.

I looked into Wiseco, Probe, TRW, and Speed Pro. The only one I haven't actually found a price for was the Probe SRS's (which would give a C.R. of 11.3:1). Having a goal of a CR of 10.5:1 to maintain street manners, I think the Summit Racing kit with part number FEM-MHP173-211 sounds like my best bet for a cost-effective solution. It has most of the items I'll need for a rebuild, plus the pistons will yield a 10.13:1 CR. Not as high as what I was aiming for, but still acceptable. If I go this direction, it will leave me enough money for a Lentech valve body or possibly a nice set of roller rockers.

The pistons in the Summit kit can be found on this link right here (they're TRWs) Any advice concerning TRW's? IIRC, they're what Ford used as original equipment in 5.0L's.

Also, any thoughts on my goal of 10.5:1 CR? Sounds about right for a streetable car with 94 octane, no?

andy669 · 10-20-2005, 08:27 PM

Getting cheap on the pistons might possibly cost you a little more at the machine shop when it comes time to balance. I have seen the Speed Pros as much as 7 grams different. If you've got $450 budgeted for pistons, use it.

Andy

Dark_5.0 · 10-20-2005, 08:31 PM

For what you want before I spent machine shop/piston/bearings etc... money I would get a complete short block.

There are good deals all the time if you look around. I just missed out on a freshly built 308 with forged Trick Flow pistons/ All Arp bolts and a trick flow girdle for 800bux obo the other day.

I thought a while back you had bought a 351 block off of ebay.

10-20-2005, 04:42 PM	#1
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	Re: Choosing pistons to complement GT40P heads Thanks for responding so quickly, guys! Yes, I'm not looking for the fastest Mustang possible built on factory parts (even though that would be awesome!). I'm just trying to build something I'll be happy with: great performance without reliability problems or high cost. I know it's a virtual oxymoron, isn't it? I just added up the machining costs and the cost of the other parts I'll need for this project. Looks like it'll leave approximately $450 for pistons in my budget, which is a total of $2k. I looked into Wiseco, Probe, TRW, and Speed Pro. The only one I haven't actually found a price for was the Probe SRS's (which would give a C.R. of 11.3:1). Having a goal of a CR of 10.5:1 to maintain street manners, I think the Summit Racing kit with part number FEM-MHP173-211 sounds like my best bet for a cost-effective solution. It has most of the items I'll need for a rebuild, plus the pistons will yield a 10.13:1 CR. Not as high as what I was aiming for, but still acceptable. If I go this direction, it will leave me enough money for a Lentech valve body or possibly a nice set of roller rockers. The pistons in the Summit kit can be found on this link right here (they're TRWs) Any advice concerning TRW's? IIRC, they're what Ford used as original equipment in 5.0L's. Also, any thoughts on my goal of 10.5:1 CR? Sounds about right for a streetable car with 94 octane, no? __________________ Capri306, Moderator The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri 1987 5.0L Mustang LX Notchback 1993 5.8L Eddie Bauer Bronco

10-20-2005, 08:27 PM	#2
andy669 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Moline Il Posts: 901	Re: Choosing pistons to complement GT40P heads Getting cheap on the pistons might possibly cost you a little more at the machine shop when it comes time to balance. I have seen the Speed Pros as much as 7 grams different. If you've got $450 budgeted for pistons, use it. Andy __________________ 88 coupe 91 LX NMRA Pure Street 5120

10-20-2005, 08:31 PM	#3
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Re: Choosing pistons to complement GT40P heads For what you want before I spent machine shop/piston/bearings etc... money I would get a complete short block. There are good deals all the time if you look around. I just missed out on a freshly built 308 with forged Trick Flow pistons/ All Arp bolts and a trick flow girdle for 800bux obo the other day. I thought a while back you had bought a 351 block off of ebay. __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

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