I'm thinking about doing a rebuild on my motor for longevity purposes and just in case I want to run some more boost. The Manley H-beam 4340 forged rods @ $400 straight from Manley is a given... I'm trying to find some decent priced aftermarket forged pistons. I've done a search to no avail.. If anyone knows of manufacturers, part numbers, prices and suggested sources I'd be forever greatful. No flames intended..the tuners mark their stuff w-a-a-a-y up so I'd rather buy them from places like: Jegs/Summit/Internet Racers Supply etc..

 

I would highly recomend JE pistons. They are not the cheapest by far but in my opinion they are the best.

 

Check with Ross Racing Pistons. They do a lot of Ford stuff, sold under other names. Since this piston will be a "special" plan on paying a little more.

[URL=http://www.rosspistons.com]

 

Well, I take great offense to that comment, since I try to price everything I sell in a normal priced manner. Small shops and vendors get more for certain items than large companies like Jegs and Summit, because those large companies buy parts by the millions at a time. The low price may be nice, but the tuners are the guys who are using that money to develop new and better Lightning specific parts, not companies like Summit and Jegs.

With that said, we are working on a complete lower end package. I know I've said this for quite some time, but one part of that package is in the works still. We are working with another company on a piston specific for the Lightning, one that should fix the problem of the 5.4s long stroke wreaking havoc on piston skirts. This should be an even better piston that the one I am currently running in our 01. Once they are done and ready, I'll let everyone know.

 

Hey Undy,
I have to agree with Sal here. These guys that help us with our lightnings have been at it from the begining and we all owe them our thanks.

Our thanks come in the way of helping them stay in business. All of the vendors that I have talked with are great and believe in our trucks.

It's just my opinion and it is your money.

Alvin

 

duplicate post (site hick up)

 

Hey Sal,

No offence was intended by my comment. I don't consider and didn't say it was "price gouging". Your mark-up is fair, given your small quantity buying capabilities. If you guys could get "close" on the prices then I'd consider buying from you. The parts that you guys develop I will continue to buy from you: chips, pulleys, intakes, etc. Generic parts that are not developed by the "tuners" I'd prefer to buy from the dealers with the best prices. Anyway, the engine kits sales, in my opinion, will be a small piece of the "tuner pie". Only a very small percentage of people will elect to go that extreme in their modding. I've been building and rebuilding engines since the late 60's. Nobody on this forum invented aftermarket pistons and rods.... chips, pullies, intakes are different. I don't mind footing the bill for your research and technology on them.

 

I think Federal - Mogul has some pistons; they might be stock. I talked with JE and they would have to be custom made; around $900.

Manley is coming out with some and apparently JDM has done some development with Manley. You might see what JDM wants for his.

 

Great post Undy . . .

 

sweet!
So do you want to let us in on what your going to offer in this lower end package? I'm interested!

Sal, is there a way I could drop my truck off by you and have you rebuild the tranny with a factory tech unit and also rebuild my motor with the new lower end that you speak of? I don't have the time or the room to work on my truck that much. And install the long tubes also while your at it, HEHEHEHEHE.