I want to know what the cons are im looking into flycutting the pistons since it would let me run a bigger cam with my stage 3 heads. Anybody done it? How much does it cost? Reliability issues someone told me that if i do it it would weaken the motor if i ever decide to go F/I but if i do this forced induction wouldnt be in my future. Please any help would be greatly appreciated.

R.

 

I would suggest that if you are thinking of having your pistons fly-cut. I would go with a forged piston with deep valve releafs. It would cost you a little more but you will have the insurance of having a stronger piston.

 

weak pistons, increased potential of engine knock to punch a hole through the top. Carbon build up and increased compression will chew them up, even with knock sensors in place..
Forged pistons are the way to go.

 

Depends on how much you have to cut & yes Ive done it.But only on motorcycles,usually there is quite abit more material there than they have to have.You have to do real good inspection on them,If you go out & look for somebodys burnt ones you could drill down passed the eyebrow to see how much material is there.This is alot more powerful engine than my sohc 750 Honda.I cut every dimension on my pistons except the bore size.It pulled like jack the Bear & lasted a long time.I did this for several reasons,but none of them was for the savings.There was no high compression ones available.The honda dream 305 was the same diameter,but nothin else.The valve reliefs,squish band,skirt design,& the rod opening were different.They all had to moded.I used to drag it & rode it on the street,lasted till I sold it & probly beyond....if its only .010-.020 I bet it will run fine.I did the cutting of valve reliefs using the head as a guide & a hand drill.I got an old valve & welded a piece of harden steel to the bottom of said valve.It cut enought to get the angle for the machine shop to use.....Good luck...........I came across like you were being cheap,didnt mean that at all.Its only smart to do if you can.I like to save a buck myself,not to mention the labor envolved.Also,the least crap you have to take off & put on the better.That cars alittle like the a/c that i used to work on.The more you screw with the more problems you have....

 

Obviously forged pistons with valve reliefs designed into the piston would be a better choice. But if you want to keep your stock bottom end then fly cutting is a good option. The main disadvantage is a slightly weaker piston. I wouldn't be want to pile a lot of boost on top of factory fly cut pistons, for very long. I was told by LG that a cut up to .100 won't make much difference on a non FI motor. It is very common and there are many many people out there doing it with no problem. But then again there are a few that has had problems. If you want to keep the bottom end stock for now fly cut the pistons, it is quick, easy and cheap compared to replacing the pistons. If someday you want to go FI then at that point to go to a forged bottom end.