All of the above.
Forged vs Cast Pistons???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 109
From: B'ham Alabama
Forged vs Cast Pistons???
This is a question for all you gear / motor heads.
I know that all the old high performance engines came with Forged pistons and rods, (L88, LT1, L82, etc).
All base engines came with Cast pistons.
What was the purpose and reason for the Forged over Cast pistons? Was it simply for endurance, strength, weigth or performance?
I know that all the old high performance engines came with Forged pistons and rods, (L88, LT1, L82, etc).
All base engines came with Cast pistons.
What was the purpose and reason for the Forged over Cast pistons? Was it simply for endurance, strength, weigth or performance?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Back then forged pistons had some drawbacks (besides cost):
Since they were loose when cold, there was often noise before the engine warmed up. Oil consumption also tended to be higher than cast pistons.
Today there are "street series" forged pistons that have cured most of the issues. But my 454 does clatter a bit above 2500 rpm before it warms up.
Since they were loose when cold, there was often noise before the engine warmed up. Oil consumption also tended to be higher than cast pistons.
Today there are "street series" forged pistons that have cured most of the issues. But my 454 does clatter a bit above 2500 rpm before it warms up.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Forged can take the abuse of high compression, high rpm, high heat and a shot of NOS. the new Hypertec pistons that pretty much took the place of cast are great for a good street car but if you beat the crap out of your engine forged it the way to go
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Forged are more durable, however, many cast piston engines have been raced. Lots of SS396s during the muscle car years ran cast pistons. The only reason I'd use cast pistons in an engine would be a money issue. If I could afford forged I'd buy them. Honing a block for a forged piston is a little different than for a cast piston.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
This is a question for all you gear / motor heads.
I know that all the old high performance engines came with Forged pistons and rods, (L88, LT1, L82, etc).
All base engines came with Cast pistons.
What was the purpose and reason for the Forged over Cast pistons? Was it simply for endurance, strength, weigth or performance?
I know that all the old high performance engines came with Forged pistons and rods, (L88, LT1, L82, etc).
All base engines came with Cast pistons.
What was the purpose and reason for the Forged over Cast pistons? Was it simply for endurance, strength, weigth or performance?
Most if not all race/high performance engine builds use forged pistons.
The reasons you have mentioned provide a good summary, however if you chat with an engine builder I'm sure they would have additional reasons to use forged vs cast pistons that the average person might not take into account.
JMHO.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
If the owner is running forged and going to run it harder than normal I'll put two or three extra tenths in each hole. Some guys like an extra five tenths per hole.
The derby guys want even more than that. As they will be run very hot.
The derby guys want even more than that. As they will be run very hot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
This is a question for all you gear / motor heads.
I know that all the old high performance engines came with Forged pistons and rods, (L88, LT1, L82, etc).
All base engines came with Cast pistons.
What was the purpose and reason for the Forged over Cast pistons? Was it simply for endurance, strength, weigth or performance?
I know that all the old high performance engines came with Forged pistons and rods, (L88, LT1, L82, etc).
All base engines came with Cast pistons.
What was the purpose and reason for the Forged over Cast pistons? Was it simply for endurance, strength, weigth or performance?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Escondido CA
Not really, many of GM performance engines today have hyper pistons but don't let it detonate. Hyper pistons tend to shatter into dust when that happens, tune needs to be perfect for the most part so modern fuel injection goes along way towards that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,505
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
