Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Piston choice?

[9 Lives]

I am getting ready to rebuild a 95 12 valve with a local engine shop. (hopefully)



What are my choices for pistons for higher HP applications. I have read a little about Marine pistons, Ross & Arias. Im hoping to build around 800HP if money will stretch & or grow on trees.



What's the best direction & most cost affective? Do the pistons have to be fly cut? Is fly cutting only for aftermarket cams?



I have a company locally that will do heat treatment coatings on the pistons & any other parts I need. When building an engine with coated parts do we have to worry about tollerances? Or do the parts have to be custom built with the coatings in mind?



Is there a company online that sells aftermarket Rods & bearings?

 

[zstroken]

I would look at some of the industrial pistons.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I know there's a piston PDR likes, I think it's Mahle?



I don't think there's aftermarket rods, everyone running 800+ HP I know of does it on stock (although in some cases conditioned) con rods. And I'm going to guess Cummins' bearings are probably the best you can get.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Stock rods balanced with good rod bolts are fine. Pistons..... hum, depends on what you want, how your going to drive it and what the temp is like were you are at. Low compression can be a pain in cold climates, some not so cold.



I'd say 16 to 1 is the cutoff point.



Jim

 

[9 Lives]

Jim, This engine will be in a dedicated drag race only truck. Average temps can swing as low as mid 60's and highs in the 90's.



Where can I get aftermarket rod bolts? Haisley carry them?

 

[KevinH]

haisley does have aftermarket rod bolts

 

[AFarmer]

Haisley does carry those as well as several aftermarket piston options. Great folks to deal with.

 

[zstroken]

Eagle makes some aftermarket rods, if I recall correctly. They might be made to order rods though.