do i need new pistons with an xp cam?

[01BlkGTGP]

I plan to rip out my tranny and motor in a couple of weeks and when I do my xp cam can I still run on ,y stock pistons?

Click to read more...

 

[Ron Vogel]

I plan to rip out my tranny and motor in a couple of weeks and when I do my xp cam can I still run on ,y stock pistons?

Yes, most high HP set-ups are run on stock bottom ends

 

[01BlkGTGP]

What would u change or replace in the process of installing the cam?

 

[Sinister Drag Designs]

possible things depending on the cam and condtion of the parts on the car-
timing chain
dampener
Valve springs
retainers
rocker bolts
SC gasket
LIM gaskets
LIM coolant o-rings
front cover gasket
valve cover gaskets(if over 75k and never changed its a smart idea)
coolant elbows
spark plugs
oil
oil filter
SC belt
ACC belt

 

[Freebeer187]

what a pain in the ass

 

[Sinister Drag Designs]

those are just things you could replace, not all are needed, but most should be while you are there.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

bob about covered it all...if the motors out its always easier to tackle it all...and make some improvements

 

[M@]

those are just things you could replace, not all are needed, but most should be while you are there.

only things not "needed" are the belts...

 

[01BlkGTGP]

well everything sinister told me to get i already bought and im tearing apart the motor and trans hopefully in 2 weeks

 

[snoop]

u can run them no problem BUT if u have the money to spend, boy oh boy that would be a nice upgrade and peace of mind to say the least dude.....but not necessary.

 

[M@]

u can run them no problem BUT if u have the money to spend, boy oh boy that would be a nice upgrade and peace of mind to say the least dude.....but not necessary.

there is NO peace of mind to be had from replacing the pistons on these motors...

you'll be more likely to have a failure, most likely a rod bearing, or main bearing.

no thanks.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

absolutely you need pistons for your engine with any cam.

 

[snoop]

i dont know what m@ is talking about at all LOL. BUT like i said after rebuilding numberous of motors, YES it WILL be a peace of mind. not likely, however, it is possible. mains...i have never seen one go bad on these motors in 11 years doing them. u dont absolutly need them, but if u have the money go for it dude. u wont regret it

 

[02BlueGT]

i dont know what m@ is talking about at all LOL. BUT like i said after rebuilding numberous of motors, YES it WILL be a peace of mind. not likely, however, it is possible. mains...i have never seen one go bad on these motors in 11 years doing them. u dont absolutly need them, but if u have the money go for it dude. u wont regret it

There are more failures of aftermarket pistons and rods than stock, so why waste the money..... ZZP's 8 sec car runs factory internals, even thought they sell forged pistons..... I wonder why

 

[DanJ]

I thought that was a commonly known fact?

 

[02BlueGT]

I thought that was a commonly known fact?

Apparently not

 

[snoop]

so wait wait wait a minute, so your saying that the stock pistons in these grand prix's are better than JE pistons lol. i know this sounds or you're reading this like i'm being sarcastic, but i am dead serious. i cant see how that is even possible. stock over JE, that just sounds retarded. i run JE in my car and thats 1000hp

learn something new everyday i guess. i had no idea

 

[DanJ]

Wait... I'm assuming you're running 1000hp on another car, not on an L67.

 

[snoop]

yes, sorry dude. i just fix gp's and drive mine. i dont mod mine anymore....although it is tempting sometimes hahaha

 

[DanJ]

haha alright. I'll leave the arguing to people who actually have experience with forged pistons in L67's. I just go with what I've heard and from what I've seen on other cars that have ran them.

 

[02BlueGT]

haha alright. I'll leave the arguing to people who actually have experience with forged pistons in L67's. I just go with what I've heard and from what I've seen on other cars that have ran them.

I'll go with this, James has more knowledge on 3800's than most, and He has Eric running OEM L32 pistons in the whippled Rivera which is 500hp+.....the piston's aren't the weak point in our cars, the trans and all it's parts are, you need to put money there way before any internal part fails from too much power (a bad tune, or other problems will cause failures of course, but you get my point)

 

[phat_ridegt]

so wait wait wait a minute, so your saying that the stock pistons in these grand prix's are better than JE pistons lol. i know this sounds or you're reading this like i'm being sarcastic, but i am dead serious. i cant see how that is even possible. stock over JE, that just sounds retarded. i run JE in my car and thats 1000hp

learn something new everyday i guess. i had no idea

personally, i would rather chunk a piston, than destroy a block, cam, heads, ect....

that being said, the factory 3800 pistons have proven to be very stout when used in a stock/unmolested bottom end. 600whp has not been enough to cause piston failure....tuning, or the lack there of; is the main reason for any 3800 engine failure.

sure JE piston are stronger than stock, but when stock will take you to more hp most people will EVER run with their 3800, why bother? spend 800 bucks towards tranny upgrades....

btw what car do you have that has 1000hp?

 

[snoop]

the man simply asked if he should get them because he had the money. i replied helping him out in the right direction. if he woulda asked about if there was anything else he should put his money, i woulda answered diferently. but he asked if he should since he had the money, the answer is quite simple....yes. like i said, not necessary, but yes if u have it. i am well aware why pistons pop. that was not the question. phat, we have talked before on the other boards, i am aware of your knowledge, but this is getting quite amusing to me when u got 3 people(m@, 02bluegt, and 02ssei), down talking me when 1: they have not built a motor before or maybe have never tore one down. and 2: basically have there "knowledge" from reading off of a forum. i can go on and on about this. u and i know why pistons pop, as i am sure you have built a couple motors yourself minus yours. however, i was just answering him in his question thats all ESPECIALLY since he's asking a question like this. if he is uncertain, odds are, the tune will be off for a while.

so please, if u have not built a motor before and just basically have your knowledge going off of what you have read on the internet, leave this alone. u dont know what your talking about, and for that, u might steer someone in the wrong direction and cause a fatal failure. so, with that being said, know-it-alls, please start bashing me after reading this. i am done with this, i can see what kinda people are on this board....

my camaro makes a lil over a 1000hp...hows your car coming along dude, shoot me a pm...

 

[phat_ridegt]

the man simply asked if he should get them because he had the money. i replied helping him out in the right direction. if he woulda asked about if there was anything else he should put his money, i woulda answered diferently. but he asked if he should since he had the money, the answer is quite simple....yes. like i said, not necessary, but yes if u have it. i am well aware why pistons pop. that was not the question. phat, we have talked before on the other boards, i am aware of your knowledge, but this is getting quite amusing to me when u got 3 people(m@, 02bluegt, and 02ssei), down talking me when 1: they have not built a motor before or maybe have never tore one down. and 2: basically have there "knowledge" from reading off of a forum. i can go on and on about this. u and i know why pistons pop, as i am sure you have built a couple motors yourself minus yours. however, i was just answering him in his question thats all ESPECIALLY since he's asking a question like this. if he is uncertain, odds are, the tune will be off for a while.

so please, if u have not built a motor before and just basically have your knowledge going off of what you have read on the internet, leave this alone. u dont know what your talking about, and for that, u might steer someone in the wrong direction and cause a fatal failure. so, with that being said, know-it-alls, please start bashing me after reading this. i am done with this, i can see what kinda people are on this board....

my camaro makes a lil over a 1000hp...hows your car coming along dude, shoot me a pm...

i know what you're sayin man....what motor/trans is in the car? i was in no way bashing anyone, just sayin his money is well spent on something else for 800 bucks aside from a set of pistons.....a 350 sbc on the other hand.....lol

 

[snoop]

shes got a 532 and a 400 trans. the motors puttin out a lil over 800 and then a 200 shot of happy juice. BUT with all the shit i been though the last couple years and has happened, i do not have the nitrous setup anymore because of some b.s., so i guess i am lying about those numbers lol, its only 800 or so =(. i know you werent bashing dude. we've talked before. but anyways, i know you know what im saying pimpin. but yeah, your car coming along good for you? i wanna see it dude, i love seeing gp's in action still.