SB2.2 head question

On a LT1 block, what is the reason behind having to run a custom piston with them? Is it just to get the compression right or is there something that i am missing?? thanks

Any SBC will need an sb2.2 specific piston. For one, the valve arrangement is different... I,E,I,E,E,I,E,I vs E,I,I,E,E,I,I,E. The position of the valves in relation to the bore axis is different and requires piston reliefs that compliment this. The piston sets are also "right" & "left".

Got to do your research if you want to run these heads. Only a few heads out there that'll go 440+ cfm like the 2.2, so I'd say the hassles are well worth it. The set going on my stroker peaked at 447 cfm. Should be a quick grocery getter.. ;)

-Mindgame

But if i remeber right, through some of the things i have read, i thought i saw that diamond was actually making a piston for them or do they just build those pistons on a need basis? Anyone other manufactors that you would recomend?

But if i remeber right, through some of the things i have read, i thought i saw that diamond was actually making a piston for them or do they just build those pistons on a need basis? Anyone other manufactors that you would recomend?


PROBE

JE has some SB2 pistons as well.... I would recomend them, CP, Mahle, Diamond.... most of these choices are not cheap for a SB2 piston.

Bret

Last time I checked, no one had a monopoly on sb2.2 pistons. :)

Pick a manufacturer and check... chances are, they have one. Check with CP, BME, JE or Ross. Have heard good things about Mahle but no personal experience. If the price is right... why not.

-Mindgame

Alright sounds good. The heads have 46 cc chambers. I want it to still run on pump gas so i was going to shoot for around a 12.0:1 static compression and a 9.0:1 dynamic compression. I'll start putting in some phone calls on tuesday about getting the pistons. I found a deal that i just can not pass up on some sb2.2 heads so i will most likely be going this route.

Shouldn't those compression numbers be flipped? Also, from my understanding, its hard to get a pump gas motor to live at 9:1 DCR. I know with the LTx cooling it is possible, but wouldn't it be more prudent to make it around a 8.3 - 8.5:1, to keep knock away?

yeah i got it strait..i just got up and didn't reread what i was writing lol. From past engines that i have done, i have always herd 9.0:1dynamic was fine with 93 octane.

JE has some SB2 pistons as well.... I would recomend them, CP, Mahle, Diamond.... most of these choices are not cheap for a SB2 piston.

Bret

Ditto, We paid about $900 for ours from Diamond. We got a few extra things done to them though.

MG, 447cfm. :eek: I can't wait until next winter, just made a deal on a set of stainless turbo SB2.2 headers ;)

thanks for all of your input and answers to my questions guys. I am def. going to be picking up these heads. I can not pass them up for what i am getting them for. I guess the next question would be do i keep my attachment to the LT1 or go with a bowtie block with a 4.125" bore. Would my 396 LT1 crank/rods work fine with the sbc or is there a difference with that block? thanks for all the help

On a slightly different note, are there any message boards dedicated to the SB2.2?

69 - Can't go wrong with a bigger bore, but I'm biased I guess. And Eric at Diamond was unbelievable for customer service.

MG - Wow, nice peak number. Bet some work went into those!

Dave - Turbo headers! Oh the envy. :D

Sorry to say, but I've been busy with a buddies' blown stroker, so I haven't even touched my project in three weeks. :( The YSI Trim on the 408 LS1 is going to be fun next weekend though. :p

yeah i mean i am def. attached to the lt1 and i already have the crank for it but by the time you spend all the neccessary machine work and conversion on the heads, you could basically buy a dart or bowtie block and just hone the cylinders to your specs and be ready to go and then you would have a 427 small block. idk..i'm going to make a poll next week about it i think lol...i can't decide what i want to do with the block right now...i've thought about it for 2 weeks now and still haven't decided