HI!... I'm in the process of building a *BUILT* 5.4 long block for my F-150. The following is what I've got :


- FOX LAKE stage 2 heads with oversized FERREA S/S sodium filled valves/ 8 thread titanium plug threads
- Crower STAGE 2 billet CAMS
- "98" 5.4 block (blueprinted)
- "98" Forged steel crank (blueprinted)
- Custom fabricated deeper oil pan
- Extended oil pick-up tube
- Custom built sheet aluminum intake manifold
- EAGLE "ESP" *H* beam rods with ARP L-19 rod bolts
- FMS high volume oil pump
- New timing chains
- New timing chain guides
- SHM main support girdle
- SHM oil windage tray
- SHM billet trigger wheel
- ARP head studs
- ARP main studs
- MODMAX "Outlaw" Flexplate
- ACCUFAB 132MM TB
- FMS 42LB fuel injectors
- "L" 90mm MAF
- SCT 4- BANK, 4 program chip (MIKE TROYER)
- Derale twin 16" electric fans
- ASP under drive pulleys
- JDM/KOOKS LT s/s headers (Ceramic coated inside and out)


My question to you guys is :

This engine should make at least 400H.P (FLYWHEEL) in N/A mode. I want a set of pistons that are very high quality but can withstand at least a 150 shot of nitrous and in the future a WHIPPLE SC running at least 18 PSI. I DON'T WANT PISTON SLAP!!!!! Which of the following would you guys choose or are any of you running the following and what's your comment?

*TUNERS* What pistons are you guys running in your *BUILT* short blocks??????


ModMax 17cc forged pistons (made custom by CP)
- P/N ModMax 220-25200-20
PRICE $760.00(U.S) a set

http://www.modmaxracing.com/

J/E 17cc Dished forged pistons
- P/N J/E 194329
PRICE $684.00(U.S) a set.

http://www.modmaxracing.com/

DSS "PROLITE" 18cc forged pistons
-P/N 4615
PRICE = $539.95(U.S) a set.

http://www.dssracing.com/

 

ANYONE?????????

 

Neal
I personally like the JE's but would like to try a set of Mahle's one day. The price you have quoted still looks a little steep to me unless it includes ring set.

Try to find a shop that will do your bores with a torque plate. At first I didn't think it would be a problem because of the way the head studs go into the block at the bottom of the cylinders but now after being thru a couple of these engines I think it is a must do.

Also, find a shop that is willing to take the time and hone the block properly with cool down time.
Dale

 

I don't know what all the tuners run, but JDM uses Probe Pistons, and they have no piston slap.

Neal
why are you spending all this money on a built engine??
once you do all this you will need a built trans, then who knows what next. I know you like to be different, but it is going to cost a ton, and still be slower than a lightning with a chip, pulley, and Nitrous.

Hey if you want I have a 10 second Lightning I can sell you.

 

no they don't. at least not anymore. i was told they went back to Manley pistons. Speaking of what pistons do you have Don? I have the original manleys and i don't have any noise all my noise comes from my PI. I was told they manley pistons are only good up to 700hp. is this true?

Will

 

HI!... DON : I currently have a built trans and 2500 stall. But I'm going to get a FACTORY TECH "MONSTER BOX" 4R70-W when the engines done and GREG is done testing the new trans. I alrady have a custom one off built driveshat that rated to 1300H.P and 1500FT/LBS of TQ, and a freshly rebuilt 9.75 rearend. Actually the truck should run very high 12's on the engine alone (N/A) and hopefully well into the 11's with the nitrous. Then next year I'm going to upgrade to the new whipple SC. Actually this is not costing me much at all. Total finished engine should be well under $6500(CAN). Not bad for a engine that can hold at least 900H.P and live. You also have to remember after my truck finishes getting tubbed it will weigh in at about 3800LBS.

 

HI!... I was told that the EAGLE ESP rods are better than the MANELYS. Good to about 750-800H.P out of the box. My engine builder says with the addition of the ARP L-19 rod bolts and some prep they will hold over 1000H.P if they are kep under 7000RPM. My cams are only good till 6500 MAX so I have no worries. Is anyone running the MODMAX "CP" pistons? I also prefer the J/E's. I have them in my 700H.P 408 (351w) and have never had a problem with them. MIKE T even suggested the J/E's as well.

 

Neal
My first lightning engine had CP's in it. It is a nice piston but I really don't think it was a good design for a blown motor.
I had problems in the ring land area.....problems that I have never had before with JE's and I have run many sets of JE's in turbo Buicks.
IMHO I can't tell the diffence in the fit and finish of a CP and a JE they are that close.
My new JE's run as quiet as a stocker should, but this time around I have a NVH block and a torque plate finish. So I don't know if it the combination of the three or if it is any one thing that is making this happen.
Dale

 

I have the modmax CPs.

no piston noise here, but I was pretty meticulous with the blueprinting in that area, and the machine shop did an excellent job on the bore/hone.

later,
chris

 

using cp's here too.

 

CP's here. A little noise after a cold start, but that fades as the motor warms to op. temp.

 

I heard one with Manleys and it had really bad knocking on a cold start. If it was mine it would have come back out.

Jody

 

I too am using CP's (Mod Max). I went with them after having good gains in horsepower in motorcycle applications.

 

HI!... Keep it coming guys.

 

HI!... Thanks for the responces guys. I have one more question. I looked up the cc vs. compression ratio for this 5.4 with "P.I" heads. It states that a 17cc dished piston only yeilds a 8.9:1 compression ratio. I would like somewhere around 8.2:1 to 8.6:1 max, because I will be SC'ing this engine in the future. What cc dished piston are you guys running in your built 5.4's??????? The 17cc dished piston seems to be the most popular but all of the WEB searching I've done has come up with the company *DSS* having the only pistons for the 4.6/5.4 with a greater (18cc/21cc) dish. Just curious. Thanks.

If you go to the MODMAX site they have this COMPRESSION to cc chart. Is this chart accurate?

Here's the link :

http://www.modmaxracing.com/

You must click *PRODUCTS* and then *STOCKING PISTONS* and scroll down to the bottom of the page.