1FST4GEN

Ok so every shop in my area wants to charge my 1500+ to do a rebuild on my short block and that's without forged pistons!

the block looks pretty Clean so my question is if I just do pistons and rings would I have to get the block rebalanced or could I just swap those out and be done?

RamAir95TA

$1500 for a rebuild is pretty damn good, IMO. There is alot more to a rebuild than just changing parts. If you were to replace the pistons the rotating assembly would need to be rebalanced, yes.

I think your expectations are a bit on the high side.

1FST4GEN

No I planned on spending about that for a rebuild short block but with forged pistons.

They want that for cast pistons!! Imo its a bit high for low end parts..

Injuneer

Do you need forged pistons - e.g. - nitrous or forced induction application? Hypereutectic pistons are not "low end" for normally aspirated applications.

RamAir95TA

Truthfully for a N/A build hypereutectic pistons in some cases may be BETTER than a forged piston. Just because they aren't forged doesn't mean they are bottom of the barrel.

1FST4GEN

Thank you guys!

Sorry if I ask dumb questions im trying to learn as much as possible being as im going to do this on my own with only a shop for the machine work

KW Baraka

If you're getting a rebuild......why are you getting new pistons?

Are your original pistons damaged.....OR.....am I reading this thread wrong?

KW

1FST4GEN

No kw they don't look damaged! Just want to upgrade and make a stronger bottom end. also thinking about having drilled for a 4 bolt instead of 2

what pistons do our motors come with stock?

RamAir95TA

What exactly is your budget here?

Truth be told the stock bottom end and all of its subsequent parts are very stout and have routinely handled 400+whp (450+fwhp) WHEN ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY. Typically bottom end failures are NOT the result of the parts but of the installer so be warned.

Depending on your goals and budget it is likely that a 4-bolt won't make any sense simply because the 2-bolt is plenty strong for what you're looking to do. FWIW I only picked up a 4-bolt block for my 383 build (which puts down 455whp) because one was listed for so cheap; I had every intention of sticking with a 2-bolt.

1FST4GEN

Wow thank you for the info ramair!

Would like to keep funds down but also don't want to shortcut anything! Make sence?

RamAir95TA

"Funds down" doesn't tell us much. That could be the difference between 320hp and 420hp. $2000? $4000? It also depends on your goals. Pick a HP/ET goal and we'll tell you how much you'll have to spend to get there.

Shortcuts are typically made in the install NOT in the part selection. In your case I would not hesitate to recondition the stock rods and crank and use a good budget piston if you aren't comfortable reusing your stockers.

KW Baraka

And chances are is that there aren't damaged. When the stock pistons get damaged.....they usually fail catastrophically. And the only ones I've seen that failed, were subjected to pretty big shots of nitrous.

My recommendation......re-use them if you're gonna stay with stock (350ci) displacement.

Mahle made the stock pistons for the LT1's.

KW

1FST4GEN

im going to post pictures of them so yall can see if it needs it or not. i know the engine has a blown head gasket.

ramair.. id like to get 320-330 to the wheels. and im going to run the lt4 hot cam kit. yes i know there are better cams as yall have said and also ive researched but its a proven set and being as the car will be the wifes bday present im just going to keep it mild and good drivability.

1FST4GEN

Also what is our factory injector size?

RamAir95TA

If that's all you're looking for then the hotcam kit will work fine. I would reuse ALL of your stock components after having them reconditioned. $1500 is a good price for all of that.

Stock injectors are 24# - no need to upgrade.