Where to get a good piston and rod combo?

Would like to get a set of forged pistons & rods for a 557 combo. Already have a new SCAT 4.5" crank, and I would prefer a 6.8" rod over a 6.7" with the corresponding pistons because its going into a D0VE block, so I want to keep the piston a little higher inside the cylinder.
The pistons will be flat tops, or a small dome, and have the standard valve relief.
What do y'all recommend??

Of the companies I deal with, Diamond is the only one to make a piston for that combination. For rods, Scat's 4340 I-beam is an incredible value, but for something stronger, I like Lunati's H-beam which comes with 2000 bolts.


.

I went with lunati rods since they come standard with the bot upgrade. You can buy direct from lunati at a reasonable price and you don't have to worry about counterfeit bolts. I wanted to use diamond, but decided to give racetec a try since I had to go custom dome with gapless rings for alcohol. Diamond didn't fit my budget. I haven't ran them yet but I have to say they look really nice. They came with my full name laser etched in the bottom. All 8 were within .0003on the skirt! I fact most of them identical. I basically got the rings for free when compared to the others custom order pricing.

stanger68 wrote:I went with lunati rods since they come standard with the bot upgrade. You can buy direct from lunati at a reasonable price and you don't have to worry about counterfeit bolts. I wanted to use diamond, but decided to give racetec a try since I had to go custom dome with gapless rings for alcohol. Diamond didn't fit my budget. I haven't ran them yet but I have to say they look really nice. They came with my full name laser etched in the bottom. All 8 were within .0003on the skirt! I fact most of them identical. I basically got the rings for free when compared to the others custom order pricing.

A little off topic, but why gapless rings for alcohol? I recently ordered pistons/rings for my new build from Diamond and told them I'm going alcohol with a terminator and will be also using heavy nitrous. They sent me a tool steel set for their recommendation. Just curious as to why the gapless.

Oregon Cam Grinding, ask for Ken Heard. 503-252-5505

All the pistons companies make them, but I think Ross gives you the most value for the money. For rods you can use Scat, Lunati, or anyone that uses RPM and be just fine.

Lunati has the best packaging and marketing.

Gapless rings help keep the alcohol from diluting the oil. Cost about 250 a set. I've never personally ran one on alcohol but I had several guys who do recommend them highly. They say it dramatically increases oil life and keeps moisture out. We shall see.

Who makes a piston with both types of valve reliefs for stock standard, and SCJ / Kaase P51 heads?

BBFTorino wrote:Who makes a piston with both types of valve reliefs for stock standard, and SCJ / Kaase P51 heads?

Diamond can add a second valve relief to any piston for $50.00.


.

stanger68 wrote:Gapless rings help keep the alcohol from diluting  the oil. Cost about 250 a set. I've never personally ran one on alcohol but I had several guys who do recommend them highly. They say it dramatically increases oil life and keeps moisture out. We shall see.

A good tune up will accomplish the same thing. I guess you're running seconds?

Carl wrote:

BBFTorino wrote:Who makes a piston with both types of valve reliefs for stock standard, and SCJ / Kaase P51 heads?

Diamond can add a second valve relief to any piston for $50.00.


.

Each??...or for the set??

BBFTorino wrote:

Carl wrote:

BBFTorino wrote:Who makes a piston with both types of valve reliefs for stock standard, and SCJ / Kaase P51 heads?

Diamond can add a second valve relief to any piston for $50.00.


.

Each??...or for the set??

For the set.

BBFTorino wrote:Who makes a piston with both types of valve reliefs for stock standard, and SCJ / Kaase P51 heads?

You have to watch that. They can get pretty thin at the inside edge of the Kaase pocket.