RV8 pistons - fit Chevy?

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:21 pm

Chaps

What's the most cost effective way to a decent set of pistons? I'm planning a cr of around 11:1 but revs only max at 6500rpm. Would I be right is saying a 302 chevy piston with 5.85" rods is the way to go?

If so does the crank need machining? (its a pre-serp 4.3)

Or would a set of range rover pistons suit?

I should add I'm also considering supercharging the old girl in the future so I'm trying to future proof the bottom-end a bit.

Ta

Matt

Boosted LS1 · Post by **Boosted LS1** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:28 pm

Got to say there isn't a cheap way to do what you want. Your best bet for now and the future would be a set of custom pistons made by Diamond or somebody in the US.

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:13 pm

Buggration

The most applicable I've found so far is Omega cast piston inc rings and pin for 85 quid + the dreaded

What about the eutectic ones from real steel are they any good?

Matt

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:19 pm

Hi the chevy pistons that fit some rover bores are 305 not 302 pistons. Chevy pistons are alot cheeper than Rover, the problem is then sorting out rods and getting the right deck height on the pistons. I would look at buying chevy rod and piston combination "off the shelf" (sort out the rod length and deck height combination that will fit) get the chevy rods narrowed to take the rover big end bearings.
Mike

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:32 pm

Thanks for that

Don't suppose you know what crank-big-end pin centre to block fireface height is on a rover block?

Ta

Matt

HairbearTE · Post by **HairbearTE** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:32 pm

Rod journal to deck distance will vary with stroke, are you referring to deck height? Off the top of my head it's 8.940" or 8.960" in a rover but i'll have to check. Of course it's always wise to measure this accurately anyway. Many blocks have been decked over the years and the last thing you want is to see the pistons in your freshly assembled short block proudly poking a mm or two out the top of the bore because you took the deck height for granted..

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:40 pm

if the crank stroke is 71.1mm (2.8") then deck height of 8.96 with a 6" rod (chevy aftermarket) leaves a piston top to pin centre of 1.56 " (my pistons are 1.4" height and the gudgion pin clears the ring pack). I am pretty sure you will find a flat top piston of 1.5 deck height so you can skim the block square and down to 8.9 for zero deck, or anythng you fancy depending on the gasket you are using.
Mike