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How much power before I need pistons? What about lower compression pistons?

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Old 12-04-2016, 03:14 PM
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joemosfet
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Default How much power before I need pistons? What about lower compression pistons?

So I currently have A&A's Ti blower with a 3.6" pulley. Single nozzle methanol and long tube headers, as well.

When I had it tuned and dynoed, it did 518/467 actual to the wheels (no oxygen here), and 9.5-10psi peak boost was seen.

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I think the 3.47" pulley will max out the blower's RPM, and will probably boost around 12psi?

At what power levels will I need forged pistons / rods? Why are low-compression pistons used for boosted applications and how do they affect the amount of pressure seen in the manifold?

Is anybody spinning a Ti blower to the max here? How much power are you making, (either SAE or actual w/ altitude)?

Last edited by joemosfet; 12-04-2016 at 03:21 PM. Reason: add more info
Old 12-04-2016, 06:05 PM
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robert miller
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Man believe me call it a day with the car as is.. Unless you want to go all out with cam, rods, piston,. Then when you go to this you will be looking at clutch, are auto trans, converter, axle's. This is not all of the parts you will be looking at breaking down the road.

At your rwhp level now per say will be safe to a big point here, and still out run and be able to play with 99% of the cars out on the road.

Don't think about hp now look at getting to REALLY drive the car and being able to get the car to hook up for you. Good set of street D/R. If you do this believe me you will be able to beat a lot of guys with cars with more horse power than what you are showing here in your graft.

Last edited by robert miller; 12-04-2016 at 06:09 PM.
Old 12-04-2016, 06:31 PM
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joemosfet
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^Widebody is on my list so I can squeeze s'more rubber under there. I wouldn't mind doing cam, rods, pistons, that sounds like fun. I've already contacted a couple of shops around here to handle my honing and balancing work, I am just wonder at what power level I need to actually pull that trigger.
Old 12-04-2016, 06:45 PM
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jacksnorm
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Im spinning my V3 Ti to the max 7.65 lower and 3.47 upper pulley. I think 6750 to 6800 RPM is max impeller speed 52,000. Right at 11.6 to 11.8lbs of boost. Im on Forged stock compression pistons.
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Old 12-04-2016, 07:41 PM
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To the OP. That magically Number most will tell you is 700 wheel and you need to start thinking about pistons. I ran my car for 2 years at 700 wheel on stock bottom end.

However...... it all depends on the tune.

Last edited by C7&7; 12-04-2016 at 07:43 PM.
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Old 12-04-2016, 08:42 PM
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why is you dyne number low? with those mods you should be easy around the 600whp
Old 12-04-2016, 08:49 PM
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^lack of oxygen.

Should I have full air, I'd dyno around 670/603.
Old 12-04-2016, 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
To the OP. That magically Number most will tell you is 700 wheel and you need to start thinking about pistons. I ran my car for 2 years at 700 wheel on stock bottom end.

However...... it all depends on the tune.
Old 12-05-2016, 09:54 AM
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Lets talk about pistons.

What are the effects, requirements, and implications of using lower compression pistons?
Old 12-05-2016, 12:31 PM
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Nothing good IMO. More boost to make the same power, less torque, less efficiency pretty much everywhere. Lowering compression isn't what you want. Stronger pistons... maybe.

Unless you're going for like 900-1000+ then don't even think about it IMO

Last edited by schpenxel; 12-05-2016 at 12:35 PM.
Old 12-05-2016, 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by joemosfet
Lets talk about pistons.

What are the effects, requirements, and implications of using lower compression pistons?
Well. You have two choices. You can do the drop in pistons that are identical size and weight and compression with stock. Or you can do a custom piston to lower compression and you will have to rebalance the rotating assembly. If you choose option two then you might as well spend the additional money to do a good rod while you're at it.

Depends on how far you want to go with it. You can buy a completely forged shortblock these days for <$5000 if you utilize the stock crank which is good for about 1000 wheel. Thats a custom lower compression piston and a good rod. Or you can do the drop in pistons for ~$1200 plus labor but you're keeping the higher compression and not adding the insurance of a better rod.
Old 12-05-2016, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
Well. You have two choices. You can do the drop in pistons that are identical size and weight and compression with stock. Or you can do a custom piston to lower compression and you will have to rebalance the rotating assembly. If you choose option two then you might as well spend the additional money to do a good rod while you're at it.

Depends on how far you want to go with it. You can buy a completely forged shortblock these days for <$5000 if you utilize the stock crank which is good for about 1000 wheel. Thats a custom lower compression piston and a good rod. Or you can do the drop in pistons for ~$1200 plus labor but you're keeping the higher compression and not adding the insurance of a better rod.


What's the end game? With fueling support and the drop in pistons you could get up well 700s whp... If you're going to drop the compression and have the whole assembly rebalanced you might as well do it right with a forged short and pistons/rods.
With the later option always be mindful of the accessory modifications which may be needed. Clutches, driveline, fuel etc..
Old 12-05-2016, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by C7&7
Well. You have two choices. You can do the drop in pistons that are identical size and weight and compression with stock. Or you can do a custom piston to lower compression and you will have to rebalance the rotating assembly. If you choose option two then you might as well spend the additional money to do a good rod while you're at it.

Depends on how far you want to go with it. You can buy a completely forged shortblock these days for <$5000 if you utilize the stock crank which is good for about 1000 wheel. Thats a custom lower compression piston and a good rod. Or you can do the drop in pistons for ~$1200 plus labor but you're keeping the higher compression and not adding the insurance of a better rod.
Where can this be had..? Or are you saying if I buy the parts and build it myself with the existing block and crank?
Old 12-05-2016, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by FYREANT
Where can this be had..? Or are you saying if I buy the parts and build it myself with the existing block and crank?
PM sent
Old 12-05-2016, 08:28 PM
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^Share with the rest of the class!!
Old 12-06-2016, 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted by joemosfet
^Share with the rest of the class!!
Haha. Ant and I just chatted on the phone to discuss a bunch of different things. It was easier.
Old 12-06-2016, 10:24 AM
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Ok, well I'd still like to know the answer to the question "$5000? Where can this be had..?"

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Old 12-06-2016, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by joemosfet
Ok, well I'd still like to know the answer to the question "$5000? Where can this be had..?"
Texas Speed, LME... shortblock with a good piston and rod and utilizing the stock crank will put you right about 5k or a little under.
Old 12-06-2016, 11:57 AM
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Well, you can't buy a shortblock without a crank - a shortblock, by definition, includes a balanced rotating assembly, and is fully assembled.

Unless you're suggesting removing the shortblock's new crank and putting in the stock crank? Wouldn't that require a re-balancing? Not to mention the disassembly and reassembly of the shortblock... I mean that's the purpose of buying a shortblock, is that the rotating assembly is already balanced and assembled.

Now, that being said, parts can be had, new forged pistons and rods and pins, rings, new bearings, mains, studs, and maybe even an aluminum block can be had for less than 5k, but then add in the time that it takes to tear down the old bottom end to pull out the crank, and then get it balanced and assembled int he new block? Not to mention the various LT1 things that need to be done with the oil squirters, etc.

Will the price still be less than 5k? Or is it worth spending the 5500+ or so for a fully assembled and balanced short block with crank?
Old 12-06-2016, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by joemosfet
Well, you can't buy a shortblock without a crank - a shortblock, by definition, includes a balanced rotating assembly, and is fully assembled.

Unless you're suggesting removing the shortblock's new crank and putting in the stock crank? Wouldn't that require a re-balancing? Not to mention the disassembly and reassembly of the shortblock... I mean that's the purpose of buying a shortblock, is that the rotating assembly is already balanced and assembled.

Now, that being said, parts can be had, new forged pistons and rods and pins, rings, new bearings, mains, studs, and maybe even an aluminum block can be had for less than 5k, but then add in the time that it takes to tear down the old bottom end to pull out the crank, and then get it balanced and assembled int he new block? Not to mention the various LT1 things that need to be done with the oil squirters, etc.

Will the price still be less than 5k? Or is it worth spending the 5500+ or so for a fully assembled and balanced short block with crank?
What he is saying is you can get an assembled package utilizing a factory LT1 block and factory LT1 crank, factory LT1 mains, with aftermarket rods, pistons, and rings, for leas than 5K. You will need to add everything else to it though. Its just the block and rotating assembly.


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