Hi folks:

I'm getting ready to build a 454 motor for the El Camino and I'm in need of some piston advise. The car is used strictly as a daily driver and for towing my boat to tournaments so I'm looking to stay low compression (9.0 to 1 MAX) so I can run on regular unleaded. I'll be putting some type of hydraulic cam in it. I'll use one picked and built by Harold once I get the shortblock together.

Here is what I have.....I have a 3963512 block that is currently .030 over. It has been decked .010 so I'm figuring on the pistons being .010 in the hole.... the block will clean up fine at .040 so that is where I'd LIKE to build it. The heads I'm using are the 3917215 closed chamber castings with 100.9 CC chambers. I have a standard stroke steel crank and standard length rods.

I'm really having a hard time locating a piston manufacturer that makes a .040 454 forged piston, let alone one that will work with the heads I have. I really don't want to pay the extra $$ for custom built pistons for this motor. Any ideas other than going .060 over? I'd like to save that for the next rebuild!

Thanks for any help!

Start here:
http://www.probeindustries.com/Pistons/Pistons_FPS/fps_chev_454_ft.htm
http://kb-silvolite.com/performance.php?action=details&P_id=112
http://kb-silvolite.com/forged.php?action=details&P_id=365

See the post nearby from gearheads78...he's talking about a .040 454 with flat top pistons, L2377. Maybe you can email him for info. Post is "Lots of help needed"

^^^
Don't know about dish but for a flat top you just need a L2377F40
You might have to special order them but I know last Summer they mad them. Thats when my buddy ordered his.

Your application doesn't sound like something you'd need forged pistons for? Any old cast of hyper piston will work fine & live forever.

Your application doesn't sound like something you'd need forged pistons for? Any old cast of hyper piston will work fine & live forever.

Thanks zwede...I know that, I just like the idea of the extra insurance that the forged pistons bring. I don't need the steel crank or the dimple rods either but the price was right.

I'm really liking the TRW forged L2377F's. I don't know how I missed those on my search! Thanks for that suggestion. Anyone run them? How do you like them?