Forged pistons and rods...looking for recommendations - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

cc-rider · 09-27-2016, 07:02 PM

As one of my next options...I'm exploring going forged Pistons and rods. Lower the compression a bit. Turn up my blower and let it sing like it was designed to do. Thinking of staying stock cubes and keep the stock crank. Seems this can save me the cost of the crank and block machining. Put that extra $1000-$1500 to better use (clutch, diff, whatever).

I'm looking for some recommendations on a set of Pistons and rods. I haven't done much research on this. Which brands? H beam or I beam rods? Thinking something in the 9:0-9.5:1 compression range.

Unreal · 09-27-2016, 07:06 PM

I would never go that low on compression.

There are a TON of good pistons. Ross, Diamond, Mahle, JE, wiesco, etc etc.

Rods depends on application and power goals. For a stock block/crank a Calles Compstar rod or equivalent works well and will take 1000hp no issue.

Redlineviper · 09-28-2016, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unreal

I would never go that low on compression.

There are a TON of good pistons. Ross, Diamond, Mahle, JE, wiesco, etc etc.

Rods depends on application and power goals. For a stock block/crank a Calles Compstar rod or equivalent works well and will take 1000hp no issue.

I agree with about 99% of Nicks posts but I disagree that 9.0-9.5 would be too low. I believe the stock compression on LSA's has proven to work well and 9.5 would be a nice happy medium.

Detoxx03 · 09-28-2016, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unreal

I would never go that low on compression.

There are a TON of good pistons. Ross, Diamond, Mahle, JE, wiesco, etc etc.

Rods depends on application and power goals. For a stock block/crank a Calles Compstar rod or equivalent works well and will take 1000hp no issue.

All of this

swiftkart · 09-28-2016, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unreal

I would never go that low on compression.

There are a TON of good pistons. Ross, Diamond, Mahle, JE, wiesco, etc etc.

Rods depends on application and power goals. For a stock block/crank a Calles Compstar rod or equivalent works well and will take 1000hp no issue.

+2

I wouldn't go below 10:1.

Redlineviper · 09-28-2016, 07:07 AM

9/10 turbo builds I am aware of use a compression ratio of around 9.2-9.5. She is it that you guys feel anything less than 10.1 is too low?

Unreal · 09-28-2016, 07:17 AM

What turbo builds" All the ones I know of is the past 10 years run 9.7-10, and a lot are going to 10.5-11. With e85 especially there is no reason to go that low. Modern piston/head design along with modern ecu and availability of decent gas make going <10 just giving up power/low end for about no reason.

If it was a 91 octane only, never going to see any octane adder (meth, etc) and never see e85/flex fuel, then maybe 9.5, especially since it is a PD blower, but otherwise your just giving up power/efficiency.

racesloth · 09-28-2016, 07:19 AM

SMRE sells rods and pistons at a reasonable price...

Watch the LSFree videos on utube.

mrvenicess · 09-28-2016, 07:38 AM

I went with forged pistons and Callies Ultra H beam rods. 10.5 to 1 comp, lowered the boost from 16 lbs down to 12-13 as we are spinning to 8,000 rpm now.

10aSSee D · 09-28-2016, 08:16 AM

I've got Mahle pistons and Callies rods with 9.5:1 compression.

fldrummer · 09-28-2016, 08:38 AM

After the dreaded lifter failure, I decided to bite the bullet and get the engine forged (stock crank) with Callies Compstar H-beam rods and JE pistons. CR came out to 9.8:1. 'Currently adding meth (among other things) and shooting for 700 rwhp. 'Just waiting on a super-tensioner, since we were getting belt slip at 5300 RPMs and boost was dropping from 11.5 to 8 lbs.

swiftkart · 09-28-2016, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fldrummer

After the dreaded lifter failure, I decided to bite the bullet and get the engine forged (stock crank) with Callies Compstar H-beam rods and JE pistons. CR came out to 9.8:1. 'Currently adding meth (among other things) and shooting for 700 rwhp. 'Just waiting on a super-tensioner, since we were getting belt slip at 5300 RPMs and boost was dropping from 11.5 to 8 lbs.

If you have the jackshaft Maggie TVS2300, you should have went with a LC32 double wrap front pulley bracket, it will end your belt slip issues.

cc-rider · 09-28-2016, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10aSSee D

I've got Mahle pistons and Callies rods with 9.5:1 compression.

Yeah I'm thinking of the exact same 9.5:1 compression. I've always liked your build 10aSSee. Very similar to what I had envisioned.

I hear all the arguments for higher compression...and I get it. But I think I would like to error on the side of safety as opposed to making the maximum dyno run power possible. I run 92 octane. But sometimes need to run 91 as well. Not sure what kind of power difference I'd be looking at with a 10:1 design vs a 9.5:1 design? I know that's a tough one to answer.

With a PD blower...the whole "off boost" performance is much less of an issue. I get that turbo builds need to stay a bit concerned about this. But with a PD blower, push the throttle down and go to full boost instantly. Takes away some of that concern.

Decisions, decisions. Always a trade off to think about...

1KillerSS · 09-28-2016, 12:44 PM

I lowered my compression to 9 3 1 and regret it. As for pistons I went with Carrillo and for rods I went with Callie's.

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09-27-2016, 07:02 PM	#1
cc-rider Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,171	Forged pistons and rods...looking for recommendations As one of my next options...I'm exploring going forged Pistons and rods. Lower the compression a bit. Turn up my blower and let it sing like it was designed to do. Thinking of staying stock cubes and keep the stock crank. Seems this can save me the cost of the crank and block machining. Put that extra $1000-$1500 to better use (clutch, diff, whatever). I'm looking for some recommendations on a set of Pistons and rods. I haven't done much research on this. Which brands? H beam or I beam rods? Thinking something in the 9:0-9.5:1 compression range.

09-27-2016, 07:06 PM	#2
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	I would never go that low on compression. There are a TON of good pistons. Ross, Diamond, Mahle, JE, wiesco, etc etc. Rods depends on application and power goals. For a stock block/crank a Calles Compstar rod or equivalent works well and will take 1000hp no issue. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp

09-28-2016, 07:07 AM	#6
Redlineviper Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Orlando Posts: 936	9/10 turbo builds I am aware of use a compression ratio of around 9.2-9.5. She is it that you guys feel anything less than 10.1 is too low? __________________ 2013 A6 ZL1

09-28-2016, 07:17 AM	#7
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	What turbo builds" All the ones I know of is the past 10 years run 9.7-10, and a lot are going to 10.5-11. With e85 especially there is no reason to go that low. Modern piston/head design along with modern ecu and availability of decent gas make going <10 just giving up power/low end for about no reason. If it was a 91 octane only, never going to see any octane adder (meth, etc) and never see e85/flex fuel, then maybe 9.5, especially since it is a PD blower, but otherwise your just giving up power/efficiency. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp

09-28-2016, 07:19 AM	#8
racesloth Dan Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS IOM Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Georgia, USA not the other one Posts: 1,041	SMRE sells rods and pistons at a reasonable price... Watch the LSFree videos on utube. __________________ Dan 2010 IOM SS YSI-B, Pat G Cam, Ported CTS-V Heads, ARH LTs MBRP 3" exhaust http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...&highlight=ysi

09-28-2016, 07:38 AM	#9
mrvenicess Drives: 2013 CRT ZL1 auto Join Date: May 2010 Location: Venice Fl Posts: 1,443 View My Garage	I went with forged pistons and Callies Ultra H beam rods. 10.5 to 1 comp, lowered the boost from 16 lbs down to 12-13 as we are spinning to 8,000 rpm now.

09-28-2016, 08:16 AM	#10
10aSSee D Drives: Silver 2010 SS Camaro Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 2,562	I've got Mahle pistons and Callies rods with 9.5:1 compression. __________________ MODS: ADM built 417, 2.9L Whipple with 3.250 pulley, ADM ported and polished LSA heads,ADM stage3 cam,ADM LSA belt drive system,ADM CAI race scoop, ADM dual fuel pumps, ID 850's, BMR full suspension, Gforce 9 inch kit with 3.5 inch driveshaft, Street Slayer twin carbon clutch, Lingenfelter oil seperator. Tuned by built by ADM Performance, 763rwhp,705rwtq

09-28-2016, 08:38 AM	#11
fldrummer "Black Ace" Drives: Supercharged 2010 SS, 2016 Golf R Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 1,352	After the dreaded lifter failure, I decided to bite the bullet and get the engine forged (stock crank) with Callies Compstar H-beam rods and JE pistons. CR came out to 9.8:1. 'Currently adding meth (among other things) and shooting for 700 rwhp. 'Just waiting on a super-tensioner, since we were getting belt slip at 5300 RPMs and boost was dropping from 11.5 to 8 lbs. Attached Images __________________ 2010 2SS/RS M6 "Black Ace" - Delivered 6/4/2009 Mods: Forged 416 LS3, Maggie TVS 2300 SC (~11 psi), custom cam (232/247, .630/.630, 118 LSA), 90-lb. injectors, ZL1 fuel pump & ADM controller, Alky Control meth kit, Monster LT1-SC twin-disk clutch, ZL1 drivetrain conversion w/ DSS 1000-HP axles & 1-pc. driveshaft, CAI Inc. intake w/ ADM scoop, XS Power full exhaust (1 7/8" LT headers with 3" off-road pipes), VMAX CNC-ported TB, LSR adjustable sway bars, LPE rear end-links, BMR 1" drop, BMR polyurethane bushings; UMI trailing arms & toe rods. Built & tuned by Kraftworks. 755 rwhp/708 rwtq

09-28-2016, 12:44 PM	#14
1KillerSS Too much is never enough! Drives: AGP TT SS [COTW] 4/20/15 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 4,149 View My Garage	I lowered my compression to 9 3 1 and regret it. As for pistons I went with Carrillo and for rods I went with Callie's. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ AGP TT kit, 54/57 Forged rotating assembly, Custom grind cam... Dual nozzle meth, ID850's, Livernois dual fuel pumps, ECS BAP, 25% UDP, 3 inch Magnaflow catback with X pipe, Mantic 9000 clutch, DSS 1000hp axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, ZL1 rear end, solid subframe bushings, HE differential offset bushings, BMR Trailing arm, BMR toe rods, Lingenfelter LNC-2000,SJM Line Lock. 747 whp 714wtq *Build thread* http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...55#post8107855