Piston Economics...?

[darkfa8]

I was wondering...

For the cost and apparent longevity of the stock-type pistons, if a block doesn't need overboring and just a light hone...would it be cost-effective/prudent to purchase the stock pistons for a motor destined for high to mid 10s...

as opposed to spending $200+ on TRWs or more $$$ for J&E's + rebalancing...

I was contemplating this since the stock pistons have a decent history..considering there are guys running them into the 10s reliably and have 15 years worth of run-time on them...

so why not put in new stock ones, save the money and spend it else where (like girdle, etc..), re-ring them...

..opinions..comments..?

 

[Intercooler]

Probably the most clear reason being they don't make them or have stock anywhere of stockers.

 

[GNSCOTT]

The Pistons are very strong and are products od Buick's diesel engine program (so i was told) . If you are not boreing the motor and the pistons look fine, I wouldn't hesitate to reuse them, even in a 10 sec. application.

 

[equalizer442]

the old timers call that a ring-job while your at it check the bearing clearances with plasti-gauge and do a 3 angle valve job.

btw, what was your cly bore taper?

 

[darkfa8]

pricing...

according to Dal at GM....

#25527178 Piston w/pin $59.33ea.

...equates to $355.98 for a set of 6 pistons with 6 wrist pins.

I might potentially be able to get them a bit cheaper through GM (friend's at the parts counter), but nonetheless, that's still atleast $100 cheaper then my cost on a set of TRWs.

My friend Jim at Dynotech also noted that the oiling design on the stock pistons seems to be better then that of the TRWs. Granted, I know that the recommendation is.. if you have the monies, just get the TRWs.

Presuming the block just needs a clean-up hone, and if the original stock pistons checked out, I'd just clean them up and re-use them....otherwise, I'd just buy a new set of slugs from GM and enjoy another 15+ years worth of street and light-strip duty.

Whatever additional monies I'd save from not going with TRWs or JEs, I'd invest in the bottom end since the top end in these motors really isn't the weak point. $100 towards a girlde suits my fancy

Oh, and yes, I realize that no matter what piston it is, detonation kills, so irreguardless, I run a very mild-tune on the street, and at the strip I do things in small increments and keep it slightly rich to be safe.

Anyhow, just food for thought for the economically-minded 10-second street/strip build-up.

 

[Intercooler]

Trust me.... I checked with GMPartsDirect customer service and they are no longer available and zero stock anywhere. Hepolite, the German company that made them sold out to Federal Mogul. About the only Hepolite piston left is Jaguar and if you ask them they will tell you the same thing about Federal Mogul. Nothing wrong with the controversial hypers. I hit mine pretty good (assume 10's) so far and they are okay.

 

[stickybones]

I'm selling my stock ones if anyone is interested.