spinkick

I'm putting in a maggie heartbeat system on a 17 Grandsport with ARH long tubes already installed. Thinking about putting forged drop in pistons "while im in there" but I'm "only" planning on about 7-8lbs of boost because I dont want to have to worry about fuel and the expense to upgrade right now. For this application, is this overkill and a waste of money or good insurance? I know that the pistons are the weak point, and I'd like to not have to worry about it.

I'm thinking the next stage is fuel and pistons

Bruce_K

Overkill, 700whp is the magic number for pistons

Corvette4ever

Overkill

LuisZ51

Preventive maintenance I say

spinkick

Thanks guys

TSLAVette

overkill.

BlueDevilZ51

Overkill

spinkick

The shop doing the work agrees with you guys. Don't need them until you "push it" upgrading fuel etc first.

Mazant

So are guys saying you can get 700rwp safely without cam and pistons ? Would meth, lt4 pump fuel system, and a dsx low side be enough?

C7&7

Overkill until you want more. Then I would just build a shortblock with better rods and lower compression a little with a different piston.

C7&7

Cam helps for fuel, but if you're going to do LT4 high side pump and injectors you could get to 700 probably. Might need meth. You wouldn't need a low side.

ArcticWhite

Most shops I've seen comment on this in the past state they won't go over 650rwhp without doing pistons.

douniasg

With 8lbs I doubt it will be over 600 whp. I think its overkill. If you plan on doing a cam swap I would do drop in pistons. Lots of labor in cam swaps.

Earl H

I think you have to go into things eyes wide open. If you put a blower on an LT1, you risk damage. I've seen some shops kill an LT4 with a stock blower, let alone a bigger one on an LT1. You are in my neck of the woods and lol, there are some shops that fit this description in our area. Some are well known. Conversely, I am pushing 4 digits on my LT4, with track times to support. I personally know of someone that pushed about as much hp and for longer (e.g. <50+ 8 sec track passes) before putting in stronger long block....official pick the right parts dealer/shop disclaimer.

If you plan on running 600+whp and you actually DRIVE the car, drop ins arent a bad idea. If you pop something, drop-ins won't be an option and you'll be in for more $$$ for block machining and clean up. You can throw a cam in while its being torn down without much additional labor cost. At, 7-8#'s on a maggy with exhaust, you will easily make that.

You will need to address fuel system...beyond 650-700rwhp. you will need to make a call on how big you want to go, assuming you don't want to lean on meth as a fuel supplement. Some guys will claim they can get away with more, but not sure how many of those cars get pushed much after getting off the dyno.

hogurt

Not at all. Stock rods are good to about 900whp. The pistons are not. When you start wirh 7-8psi, you will be in the 550-600whp range. At that point you are at the limits of the LT1 fuel system.

When you go to add fuel, that's when you can add the cam and pistons and you are set.

If done right, with cam and fuel you are good to run up to 700whp pretty easily...for me, that's the time to add pistons too. I am biased, of course, because I went through that exact process...then I pushed the LT1 to 800whp. I am about to do the same thing on my Vette.

The blower is sitting in my office now. Will order cam, pistons and fuel soon...trying to figure out if I go with smooth idle or rough idle cam (JRE Racing). I am completely sold on their super street brawler package (but I will add forged pistons, again).

spinkick

Thanks guys. Earl, where are you at? Feel free to let me know about the shops that are crazy. I've talked with a few and I agree, some sound very scary.

I'm using MJD Performance, Mike has been great so far and doesn't try to sell anything you don't need. So far, he's been saying the same things you are.

As far as goals, I'm not really chasing a number per se, but I'd like to be around 600WHP and call it a day (for now).

Earl H

I'm in Rochester. DM me for contact info. Always cool to get together with other car guys.

robert miller

Earl I am with you here also on all of what you are saying. Heard of a 550 rwhp car blown the pistons up in it due to bad what ever in the car.. These pistons in the lt1 is just the weak point for sure.. Robert

hogurt

It's not that the pistons are weak. It's that people screw up the tune. They are definitely not able to handle detonation given the tight ring config. Personally, however, I am in agreement. I ran the stock pistons to the 550-575whp. When I wanted more, I added pistons. I prefer the peace of mind of having forged even though if you use a good tuner you are very unlikely to have a problem. Still, if you add a set of drop in pistons and you can run 800whp safely.

I have found that 800whp is no fun on the street if you don't have the right tires (on a Camaro that weighs 3800lbs)...I can only imagine how tricky that will be on the Vette. I am seeing 650-700whp as the right target...and from my perspective, it's worth adding the pistons.

Bruce_K

I agree with Hogurt here ive been over 550 HP for about 2 years now on boost and im solid. I want 7XXWHP i will be getting pistons.