interesting observation on piston options...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
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From: stop the fun suckers
interesting obervation on piston options...
I'm currently doing a rebuild and have been getting terrific advice.. In my quest to understand the issues from all aspects i went to camaroz28.com as well to ask the LT1 camaro boys about their experiances with certian parts..
interesting enough, most responces here concerning Keith Black pistons were negative.. however.. its almost a total 180 on camaroZ28.com..
http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...hreadid=136799
I've already ordered the KB set.. so I hope all goes well.. why do you think such a difference in forum options?
interesting enough, most responces here concerning Keith Black pistons were negative.. however.. its almost a total 180 on camaroZ28.com..
http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...hreadid=136799
I've already ordered the KB set.. so I hope all goes well.. why do you think such a difference in forum options?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (BluByU)
I've seen a couple negative comments here too, but I don't know how valid
they are. I'm running KBs in my .060 over 350, flat tops with 6" rods, and I've turned them 6000rpm so far and everything is great.
Dan
they are. I'm running KBs in my .060 over 350, flat tops with 6" rods, and I've turned them 6000rpm so far and everything is great.
Dan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,172
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From: somers, ny
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (BluByU)
For a couple of hundred dollars more, i would go with forged over the hyper. I've heard enough horror stories to scare me away. For most people however, the hypers should be fine. Heck there's lots of quick LT1s running around with their stock hyper pistons. For me tho, if i'm spending the money to build a HP engine, i'd spend the extra $ to get the additional margin of safety in the event of detonation. And if i was ever even considering NOS, forged would be a no brainer.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: stop the fun suckers
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (SPEED750)
to clarify, most of the responces on the topic of KB pistons here was generally aginst the use of them.. whereas on the camaro board they were more in favor of them..
just an observation...
just an observation...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,897
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From: La Fontaine Indiana
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (BluByU)
I've already ordered the KB set.. so I hope all goes well.. why do you think such a difference in forum options?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: stop the fun suckers
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (black bart)
I've already ordered the KB set.. so I hope all goes well.. why do you think such a difference in forum options?
I Hope you don't have plans for a blower in the future
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (BluByU)
I shattered 2 KB pistons on my 383 11 to 1 Irocz motor with 2K miles.
I would never recommend them to anyone. I purchased TRW forged flat tops and they were awesome.
Vic
I would never recommend them to anyone. I purchased TRW forged flat tops and they were awesome.
Vic
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Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (Vic'89)
When i talked to the guys at MORE Performance one time, they said that many owners had used KB pistons, and most of those came back and told them to "get those damn things out of my car"
They apparently have boxes full of used ones that people didnt like.
They apparently have boxes full of used ones that people didnt like.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,952
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From: Little Rock Arkansas
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (vader86)
I'm just a forged piston guy... If you're going to skimp on anything in your engine, pistons and bearings are NOT the ones to choose. Forged pistons are simply much stronger and much more durable. KB's are not known to be one of the "better" hyper pistons anyway and I have heard a lot of "shattering" stories (pun intended). I've never experienced any personally because we always build forged piston motors... Even my CHEAPEST customers use them.
As for why there are differing opinion with the F-body guys I'll say one thing that will probably get me vilified by them (and maybe some of you)... F-body owners are NOTORIOUSLY cheap!! :D
-Jeb
As for why there are differing opinion with the F-body guys I'll say one thing that will probably get me vilified by them (and maybe some of you)... F-body owners are NOTORIOUSLY cheap!! :D
-Jeb
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,009
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From: Springfield MO
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (Darkness)
I ran KB's in a 10:1 422 sbf with 150 shot for several years without any problems. But, when I wanted to step up the power I went to an srp 13:1 forged dome. I know of another guy who ran low 10's and turning his 383 to 7200 using KB's.....it worked for two seasons before two of them exploded. I say KB's will be fine in a N/A street car.
BTW, I've seen forged pistons expand on numerous nitrous motors enough to crack cylinder heads. So, forged can expand and hypers can explode.
BTW, I've seen forged pistons expand on numerous nitrous motors enough to crack cylinder heads. So, forged can expand and hypers can explode.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: stop the fun suckers
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (AS84)
I've heard if KB's machine process isnt followed to the letter it will induce piston slap almost instontaniously... KB's are silicone injected pistons which makes them stronger but more brittle than forged... meaning forged can take a bit more abuse
The hypers have a high yield point than forged.. but once thats reached they will shatter, whereas forged pistons have a lower yeild point but tend not to shatter because of the greater eleastic charecteristics of their compoant properties..
The hypers have a high yield point than forged.. but once thats reached they will shatter, whereas forged pistons have a lower yeild point but tend not to shatter because of the greater eleastic charecteristics of their compoant properties..
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: interesting obervation on piston options... (BluByU)
KB's are silicone injected pistons
Hypereutectic is a term meaning, roughly, over saturated. When you add sugar to your iced tea, and stir, the sugar dissappears. It is "absorbed" by the tea, it goes into the solution. The tea will only absorb so much suger. When you add so much sugar, that the tea can't absorb any more, you see granuals of sugar, floating in your tea. At this point, the tea is hypereutectic. That is what exists in a hyper piston. More silicon is mixed with the aluminum that is can absorb. The grey flecs you see in the metal, is un-absorbed silicon. As you can see, hypereutectic only refers to the metal (aluminum alloy) the piston is made from, not some magic process. Hypereutectic pistons are made by the casting process. They are STILL cast pistons. I hope this helps, someone. Good luck, and...
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