OK, last few weeks my car has been running like crap and the last couple time si have driven it the oil pressure has steadily been dropping. After checking everything i decided maybe i had a cam bearing that was screwed up so i drained some oil out of the car, and sure enough the oil is full of metal particles.

So i'm pulling the engine and figure i'm going to rebuild the bottom end. I am in the process of buying a home and don't have a lot of money to blow so i am hoping to find some parts in classifieds etc. to save some money.

I'm ruling out a 383 due to cost at this point and i'm planning on sticking with the stock crank (i also have to keep my short tube headers to pass visual inspection and keep it street legal). So the plan is to just get it bored .030 over and buld me a 355 and stay N/A. so here are some of my questions:

1. What do you all recommend as far as pistons go? Is it worth the money to go for forged pistons...i don't plan on ever producing more than about 400 RWHP on this engine.
2. Should i stick with my stock 5.7" rods? What sort of advantage is there to going to longer rods (more high end HP due to less angular stress??? Educate me.)
3. What do you all think of the summit rebuilkd kit (sounds like a deal at $597 with forged pistons)?

TIA!

 

I have some like new .030 over TRW forged flat tops I'll sell you for $175

 

if you dont plan on spraying or boosting,... or going over 400rwhp theres no point to go forged.
Just get some good brand pistons.. some keith blacks or something...

 

Agreed, keith black pistons and why not get some eagle SIRs just to be safe, or new stock ones.

 

no need n going forged with 400 hp, w/o forced induction. stock rods are plenty strong for a budget motor. good luck

 

Thansk for the info guys, much appreciated! Think i'll just go with some keith black pistons they seem to be a nice and cheap