Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

[LETZRIDE]

So I've sat down and I'm starting to crunch some numbers. On the one hand, I just want the car back on the road spending the least amount of money as possible.

On the other hand, I feel the need to upgrade things if they are close enough in price and are going to yield a noticeable difference.


I've sent out a few emails to some sponsors and I am waiting for a response.

so in the meantime, this is what I am thinking and what I have broken down.

Option A

Napa piston $36.99
GM rod bearing $30
zzp piston ring set $100
zzp ARP connecting rod bolts $100
zzp ARP headstuds $79.99
zzp MLS headgasket .045 thickness 174.99

this would yield me a roughly 9:8:1 or 10:1 compression ratio dependant on material taken off the heads

Grand total 521.97 (without the upper and lower gaskets and such)

Option B

Napa piston $36.99
GM rod bearing $30
zzp piston ring set $100
zzp ARP connecting rod bolts $100
zzp ARP headstuds $79.99
Felpro headgaskets 35$ for the set from autozone

this would keep me at around 9:5:1 compression

grand total $381.98 (139.99 difference from option A and a little more compression)

Option C

ARH flat top 10:3:1 compression pistons (includes rings) $699
GM rod bearing $30
zzp ARP connecting rod bolts $100
zzp ARP headstuds $79.99
Felpro headgaskets 35$ for the set from autozone

this would bring me to 10:3:1 compression ratio

grand total $943.99 ($422.02 more expensive than option A, and not much more compression)

I think I am kinda leaning towards option A or B after breaking it down...I'm also gunna have some machine shop costs and a few other materials as well...what do you guys think I should do?? and why?

is going from a 9:5:1 compression ratio to a 9:8:1 or 10:1 even, compression ratio worth 139.99$ extra dollars? is it a noticeable gain?

Remember I said I want to do this as cheap as possible, but I dont want to skimp either, and my goals are to pull low 12's maybe squeeze a high 11 out of this car N/A...so its very performance oriented...I don't mind chipping 1-200$ extra bucks towards better parts if it means its going to make a difference...but if we are talking negligible differences than I don't know...I would rather keep the money and use it elsewhere...

what are your thoughts?

[cam98aro]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

if you want to do it as cheap as possible, you dont need head studs, and you dont need connecting rod bolts, they are way overkill.

are the rings in this engine new? if they are, I would just re ring the one piston and replace the bearing on it in case it got damaged

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

supposedly 2500 miles on the engine when I bought it...and it looked pretty damn new.

GM wants $91.15 for a single piston ring...so I mine as well get a set for 100$, my buddy suggested that I mine as well do all 6 pistons incase the rings aren't exactly the same?

I figured ARP connecting rod bolts because I dont know where to get factory ones? and I can't see them being much cheaper over here from gm, but its something I have to go back and ask about (it'll probably run me close to 100$ though I am guessing)

as far as ARP headstuds go, I thought it was just much more preferred over the regular studs?

we are only going to replace the one bearing, unless we come across something else that looks like it should be done...

I want to go as cheap as possible, but I dont want to half *** it if you know what I mean...not to say that stock parts are half a**ing it, but like I said, this cam is a little more beefier than your average etc etc...

[ssms5411]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

I would go C with the MLS gaskets maybe a .52 or .60 and just have your heads milled for the extra if you want more compression. I would do the ARP head bolts though too since your tearing it apart, and why , why not its your hobby , do it right the first time so you don't have to tear it apart again, thats the way I look at it. (not being rude) just saying if your going to be abusing it ,in which we know you are,LOL put some good strong parts in there so you won't have to worry about tearing it down again.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

well, Im steering further away from option 3 because apparently the ARH pistons dont come with rings, and thats added cost.

I'll probably go the cheapest route...that puts the car back to how it was, and it felt good.

Rock auto...does anyone know which of the rod bearings, and piston rings are OEM quality?

looks like I can save a tad bit more going through rock auto...but I dont want to jepordize quality...I dont want to put in a non gm bearing, or non gm piston rings since I will only be changing the damaged ones, and not all of them...

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

File the piston, replace the valve. Cheapest route possible.

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

Found some of the crap you want.

http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread.php?t=102885

[ssms5411]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

Go with total seal piston rings, they come with the set of Diamond pistons, I have been running since 02', with no problems and I know I abused the hell out of them with the powerdyne and then running 150 nitrous shots and they're still going good.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

don't forget if you mill the heads + thinner head gasket = you MAY need shorter push rods ($120)

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

don't forget if you mill the heads + thinner head gasket = you MAY need shorter push rods ($120)

I already have a set of 7.00" I've been trying to sell, because it was what I originally planned and didnt go through with cause of $$...so they're just waiting for me lol...

[ssms5411]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

well, Im steering further away from option 3 because apparently the ARH pistons dont come with rings, and thats added cost.

I'll probably go the cheapest route...that puts the car back to how it was, and it felt good.

Rock auto...does anyone know which of the rod bearings, and piston rings are OEM quality?

looks like I can save a tad bit more going through rock auto...but I dont want to jepordize quality...I dont want to put in a non gm bearing, or non gm piston rings since I will only be changing the damaged ones, and not all of them...

Just change all of them and go with Diamond pistons and get the total seal rings with them, plus a 9.5:1 ratio is great or go the JE pistons 9.9:1 ratio from ZZP.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

if I was working full time I probably would...but I dont think I can justify so little gain, with such a big difference in priceing...

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

I'm considering throwing in 1.7 roller rockers into the mix (because I found a set for a sweet deal)...anyone see any issues from this? My new cam lift would be .544/.544, and this would already be on a big cam...

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

Aren't the stock rockers already 1.7?

[LETZRIDE]

Re: Pistons/compression/ what should I do?

close...I believe they are between 1.65-1.67, but not a full roller rocker...I think I might save my money here though...