if im boring it over do i need to worry about the grading scale?
the a, b, c, grade on the pistons mean that each one is a little larger than the std piston. a is 1 or2 thousands larger than std, b is 1 or 2 thou larger than a, c is 1 or 2 thou larger than b . I do not know how many grades of pistons cummins uses. they use them if the cylinder is smooth, round and within the taper tolerance, and the cyl just needs honeing. the proper cyl to piston clearance can usually be made up using the proper grade piston. if the cyl is not in spec for out of round, taper, and finish, for a grade a, b, c, piston, the cyl must be bored and honed to fit the next oversize piston. now you know the REST of the story !!:-laf
Well, I believe some of the information in this thread is not correct, I am pretty sure the piston grading thing did not start until 2006.5 with the 555 Cummins. At least it's safe to say they did not do it with the VP44 or the 12-valve engines. There is definitely a benefit to going with the HO pistons since it raises the compression since the non HO VP44 engines were only 16.3:1 CR whereas all others are at least 17:1.
I am planning on going over the engine this winter when I have some down-time. Although it is a 2001, it is in great shape, and I am serious when I tell people this is my last truck...So I figured that the extra compression would not be a bad thing if I am tearing it down to do a re-ring and "freshen up."
Thanks again for the info.