DDave

Does the 02-03 ZO6 come with forged or cast pistons. It seems like I saw that they are cast for some reason. If so, how does that limit your options for supercharging? Are engines melting down? Is this the weak link of the car? Why do you think, assuming they are cast, that they wouldn't put forged pistons in a car of this performance calibur?

steve-d

Cast pistons
Cost

Cap'n Pete

Aren't the rods actually the "weakest link" in the LS1/LS6 engines?

GM is raising the bar with the new Z06 though. Forged pistons and titanium rods in the LS7.

leaftye

The pistons aren't just cast, they're hypereuretic. Forged pistons are noisy compared to anything else.

The rods aren't the weak link, the rod bolts are, followed closely by the valve springs and the harmonic damper (not keyed and it falls apart too).

LTC Z06

Looks like initial reports were wrong, and cast is in the LS7 also. But we can hope.

WA 2 FST

The hyper piston is installed in most OEM applications due to the more strict emissions requirements. They maintain much tighter tolerances, and thus better sealing, than a forged piston...especially during cold start-up.

This is one reason its cursed in a forced-induction application. It is not able to expand like a forged piston, and thus has less tolerance for high(er) cylinder pressures.

It's this more than the cost discrepancy itself. If you price a "racing" aftermarket hyper piston, you'll see they are not cheap. And there are plenty of cheap forged pistons out there.

I thought the LS7 was going to have forged pistons. That's too bad if it doesn't.

Back to the original question... 10.5:1 CR is what limits boosted applications more than the pistons themselves. Keep boost in the 5-6+psi range with a good, conservative tune and the motor will live a long time. Detonation will nuke any piston...hyper or forged.