Which replacement Piston??

[collins8]

Planning on building a stronger 5.4L to put in my Lightning one day and was wondering which Piston to go with.
From what I ahve read CP is the best of the bunch, but is the most expensive.
Does anyone else make a 18cc dished piston that is close in quality to the CP but does not cost as much??
Usualyy you get what you pay for in this business!!

Thanks
Rob

[Eatoncharged]

JE, is the only one you should consider!:-p

[collins8]

Everyone that I have talked to considers the JE a step down compared to the CP.
I would love to talk to someone that has used both in a Lightning, to get their opinion.

Rob

[Hevy D]

Rob
I have always used the JE pistons in all my turbo buick stuff and have never had a problem with them....not once.

In '02 I blew up my Lightning and did a rebuild with the CP pistons. The CP's are a nice looking piston but, I managed to pound out the top ring land in less than 4000 miles. The edges rolled over on the bottom edge of the top land by as much as .008.

CP pistons was started by some ex employees of JE and they have been claiming they are top dog and charging at least 100.00 more for a set of pistons than anybody else. This markup goes into the vendors pocket no doubt and that is why everyone is pushing them.....they make more money on them.

My new Lightning engine has JE's back in it and that is the way it will stay. The JE are able to take the heat of a supercharged engine better than the design of the CP. CP should have never put that stupid gas groove between the two top rings, all it did was weaken the piston.

CP get a thumbs down from me.....And I don't shop price, I shop quality. Dale

[collins8]

Dale,

Thanks. I really appreciate your feedback. It is nice to hear from someone that has experience with both in their Lightning.

Rob

[ModularFox]

I sell Ross, JE, CP. JE has currently redesigned their pistons and are stating that they are better than the CP. So what does that tell you?
I have people running 30+ pounds of boost on shelf ModMax/CP's
I sell about 15-20 CP's sets a month. JE's about 1 set every month or so.
I also have engine builders that build mod motors that will only put ModMax/CP's in a car making decent power.
My .02

[CONLEYMOTORSPTS]

All the pistons cp,ross,arias etc are all quality products. The machine work is were the problem is when you have the piston slap not the piston besides all full floating wrist pin pistons are going to make some noise. Go to the track and stand next to a pro stock or a promod car in the pits while they are running and listen close to the motor Those things make all kinds of noise. Also just check on the sides of most of the cars contingency stickers all of the above manufactures will be represented. In fact you will probably see more JE stickers then any of the others.

[ModularFox]

Only because CP doesn't pay contingency.
:D
Mahle has a new -16cc dish that is very affordable and comes with rings and they are coated. Also ModMax has a cheaper version of the CP made by Ross as well.

[Hevy D]

I wouldn't mind trying a Mahle piston someday !