Which one should I go with? So far the motor might be a 355 with PP heads. If not, just a 350 rebuild with PP heads. I'm going to get either a CC 305 cam or a hotcam. The setup will always be NA. Which rebuild kit should I get and what cam would you recommend? Do I really need forged pistons?

 

I'm going to say forged 100% of the time if the budget allows it. If it doesnt then I say save till it does.

 

If you don't intend to run a power adder, just use the hypereutectics.

 

If your going to the trouble to rebuild, it'll probably end up being bored .020 or .030 any way, which will require replacement pistons. As long as you have to replace them why wouldn't you get forged?? Really not that much for the peace of mind.

 

That's true, what about the cam? CC305 or a Hotcam?

 

If you're doing P&P heads, why not go with a custom cam? Make the most of those heads... Just my opinion.

 

Forged pistons are great, but unless you have a good reason to use them, I would spend money elswhere in the setup. With the forged pistons you'll have to run a wider clearance between the piston and cylinder wall, since forged pistons tend to experience more thermal expansion than hypereutectics. The wider clearance results in less piston stability while the engine is cold. Once warmed up, the forged are fine, its just thay they can be noisy and contribute to blow-by when cold.

If you have no plans ever for FI, nitrous or increased compression, I think you should stick with the hypereutectic - KB makes some good ones.

 

Well I think that I'll be going with the forged pistons, just in case I want to change my setup later. Can I reuse my stock rods for now? I'd like to try because I dont have that much money, I'm on a college budget. Thats also why I'm not getting a custom cam. So which one would be the best for this type of setup? CC 305 or a Hotcam?

 

Mahle makes a forged piston with a lot of silicone which doesn't need to run a lot of clearance and you get the pistons/pins/rings all for under $550. I agree that HE pistons work for moderate performance engines w/o a power adder, but for all the cost and fuss of a performance rebuild, might as well use better pistons for an extra couple hundred. Hell, my gaskets cost more than that. Then if he wants to add a shot later, he'll be all set.

 

I feel if your on a limited budget, always build up the bottom end to be able to handle anything you put on the top end in the future. You could have an awsome cam and heads now with a weak bottom end, but you'll end up spending more money when it breaks.

 

I was thinking about getting this kit from Summit.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...view=128&N=115

Let me know what you think.

 

I'd listen to Chris... he's the king. haha

A custom cam is not that much more then an off the shelf cam. Although you could get one of those cams used off this board.

But if you are porting your heads... no doubt in my head go custom. For the $100 price difference... it's more then worth it.

 

My philosophy has always been to overbuild. I've got 11 years on my bottom end with no issues...Callies crank , Oliver billet steel 5.85" rods, JE pistons...You never know where your build may take you. You say "always N/A" and the next thing you know you're spraying a 200 shot...

--Alan

 

Normally I would agree with you Alan. But if you're going to reuse the stock crank and rods, why bother with forged pistons? Besides, people run 150 shots on the stock cast pistons and usually have pretty good results if they're careful.

To the OP, the motor is only going to be as good as the weakest link. $600+ dollar pistons on stock rods, odds are the pistons won't fail, but if a rod does, it won't really matter a whole bunch. Not trying to scare you or anything, this is just my line of reasoning.

 

I didn't see where he was reusing the crank and rods, my bad...yeah it'll probably be a rod that goes and it won't matter what is swinging off the end of it when it does...If he's replacing everything then I would do it right once. I'm like a long term test dummy in that arena...

--Alan