ICON Pistons
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From: Napa Valley California
ICON Pistons
I'm looking at pistons for my 496 build. ICON Performance Pistons manufactures a forged, 30 over piston, that with my 110cc chamber Edelbrock heads will give me about 10.5 to 1 compression ratio. Do any of you run and what do you think of the ICON pistons?
If not the ICON pistons, what forged pistons do you run and with what satisfaction?
Thanks, Greg
If not the ICON pistons, what forged pistons do you run and with what satisfaction?
Thanks, Greg
Last edited by OldCarBum; Nov 14, 2017 at 12:06 AM.
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ICON are good pistons..as are Mahle, SRP, Diamond, probe etc.
Verify the dome fits the small Edelbrock chamber...they are a little different than others.
4032 material will let you run tighter clearances and still have plenty of strength unless you're running heavy N20 or boost.
JIM
Verify the dome fits the small Edelbrock chamber...they are a little different than others.
4032 material will let you run tighter clearances and still have plenty of strength unless you're running heavy N20 or boost.
JIM
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
ICON are good pistons..as are Mahle, SRP, Diamond, probe etc.
Verify the dome fits the small Edelbrock chamber...they are a little different than others.
4032 material will let you run tighter clearances and still have plenty of strength unless you're running heavy N20 or boost.
JIM
Verify the dome fits the small Edelbrock chamber...they are a little different than others.
4032 material will let you run tighter clearances and still have plenty of strength unless you're running heavy N20 or boost.
JIM
The performance speed and machine shop I'm working with recommends several including the Mahle, but the ICON has the piston design that will give me as close to the compression ratio I'm trying to achieve.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Nov 14, 2017 at 02:09 AM.
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What ring thickness? The Mahle's have a nice ring package.
JIM
JIM
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I am using ICON pistons in my 1990 race car. Its a mild 355 build with about 350whp. I can spin it to 7000-7200 rpm not problem.
Thread Starter
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Racer
Joined: May 2007
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From: London Ontario
I've got ICON pistons in the 427 I built a few years ago. No complaints about them. Its not a real high strung motor but I have had no problems. For what it's worth the machinist mentioned that they were a nice piston as well.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
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ICON makes a nice piston. As a side note, when I called with BluePrint Engines about a 496 short block, they indicated their current piston vendor is ICON for their forged 496 motor. That is subject to change, but as least you know that piston is going into quite a few motors. I ended up building my 515ci engine locally and went with an SRP piston because they had a 4.560" shelf piston with the right dome volume.
Last edited by Neil B; Nov 14, 2017 at 12:52 PM.
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Race Director
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OEM's are going thinner and thinner on rings each year. While 1/16" ones are common in the Hot Rod world over old 5/64ths....it's common to see 1.0/1.0/3.0mm packages these days (and thinner). Rings are made of much better material these days so thinner works well.
It's all about ring seal. You need to get a round straight cylinder with a torque plate and it has to be honed properly for the rings used.
Attention to detail......
JIM
It's all about ring seal. You need to get a round straight cylinder with a torque plate and it has to be honed properly for the rings used.
Attention to detail......
JIM
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
OEM's are going thinner and thinner on rings each year. While 1/16" ones are common in the Hot Rod world over old 5/64ths....it's common to see 1.0/1.0/3.0mm packages these days (and thinner). Rings are made of much better material these days so thinner works well.
It's all about ring seal. You need to get a round straight cylinder with a torque plate and it has to be honed properly for the rings used.
Attention to detail......
JIM
It's all about ring seal. You need to get a round straight cylinder with a torque plate and it has to be honed properly for the rings used.
Attention to detail......
JIM
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
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From: Catlett VA
I'm also thinking about the ICON pistons, due to price and was glad to see positive comments about them. Some of the other high end forged pistons I am certain are good, but also drain your wallet quicker.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: BC
When I rebuilt the original 427 in my 69 I wanted to go with forged pistons so used ICONs and am very happy. When it is cold and for about 2 mins. after starting you can get a very slight even piston rattle that is barely audible due to the forged material and short skirt. This goes away completely as soon as the temp starts to rise. It is very even between all cylinders and is only audible under acceleration while cold. I was actually expecting worse for a big block so was really pleased with the results.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Nov 15, 2017 at 12:26 AM.