What to do? Forged Pistons or cams

[tom04841]

First off, profile is up to date.

I am getting ready for a full rebuild. New composite hg, arp head studs, valve seals, new rings, bs elim, all gaskets, water pump, new front case/oil pump, main and rod bearings, timing belt, pulleys and tensioner, and act 2600 pp with street disc.

Funds are now limited and it can only be one or the other. I am debating on what i should go with. It has been discussed many time over that stock pistons are capable of supporting 450+ hp with a proper tune.....which I have a very good tune. AFR is 10.5:1 throughout boost with no knock.

I would like a set of cams, but don't want that to be the mod that pushes me over the edge and kill a piston/rod. I don't want to have to rip into the motor again for a couple years.

So this is where i am stuck. Forged pistons now, cams later when i have the money? Or cams now, and see how far i can push the stock rebuild.

Is it really pointless to put forged pistons in without upgrading rods too?

Opinions are welcome!!

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

 

[GVR4592]

I think forged internals should come after the cams in your case. If you only plan on making 450hp, the stock pistons and rods can support that. I think installing forged pistons on stock rods would be kind of pointless, it would be better to do forged pistons and rods and the same time.

 

[Tony90TSI]

If i were in your shoes? I would order the rods since they are on sale right now then look for a good deal on pistons. If you are going to build it the build it once and be done you know?

 

[2gAWDTalon]

Get rods and pistons, cams are a easy drop in later... Buy some Eagle rods and I am getting ready to sell my Wiescos for around 250... I will let you know when I pull them. I put Wiesco's in my 6 bolt on the stock rods and now I am kicking myself for it... My stock 6 bolt rods are going to be in danger of bending or breaking this year. It is easier/cheaper to do while the motor is apart. A gt35R is capable of bending or breaking 6 bolt rods when you turn up the boost.

 

[qtxdevilz]

if you only plan on making 450...and half decent at tuning then stick with the stock rods and pistons...as you should not blow a rod at that hp rating...

but on the other hand...since you have the motor open already...maybe you should just do a full build on it...rods and pistons can only be installed with the head off...cams can be added later on without all the work...

 

[qtxdevilz]

just noticed you have a gt35r...save up and build the motor...rods and pistons...you can always add cams later on without all the hassle...

 

[tom04841]

Problem is, i can only afford one or the other. I have found good deals on both pistons and cams. I can't afford the rods. So should i just grab the cams now and tune conservatively. Then next tax time, bite the bullet, buy rods/piston combo, then open it back up?

 

[2gAWDTalon]

You will never only want 450whp, once you get 450 you will want more... that is tried and proven, . I only wanted 300-350, now why the hell would I have a sc61 for 350? The stock rods are in danger above 500whp, it will be a big pain in the ass to swap them in later. If you put pistons on your stock rods you have to have the pins pressed in. It is better/easier to do the rods and pistons at the same time. If you do the rods and pistons later you can do it with the motor in the car but it will be a PITA. you have to drop the pan, pull the head and send them out the top. Then hone the block etc... Can you wait another month and buy the damn rods and pistons? Sell something, eagles are only 300 bucks.

 

[Caithness]

The cams can be installed with the engine in the car in a few hours' time. The rebuild is being done right now and takes lots of time and cash. You have a big enough turbo that I'd go with the forged pistons and rods to give you the ability to explore its potential once you get tired of 450 laggy whp. You could do 450 whp on a 50 trim... the GT35R will beg you to push for 550+ before you're done.

 

[tom04841]

I understand where you are all coming from.

I am divorced w/ 2 kids to pay child support for. I cant afford to get both rods and pistons, since 1/3 of my paycheck goes to them. And the rest goes towards rent and bills. I won't have the money for rods and pistons until next tax season...

I am a mechanic and the shop is at my disposal. By the time next spring rolls around, I am sure i won't mind putting in new rods/pistons.....i just didn't want to if i didn't have to. But it looks like that is what is what i am facing.

I Think i can stay pretty content with a measly 450-500 hp for a year .

I think i will just grab the cams now, and look forward to next year.

 

[Caithness]

I'm an idiot. I didn't read your original post thoroughly enough to realize you were talking about getting ONLY pistons. Upgrading pistons by themselves is worthless for increased power handling, IMO. Yeah, get the cams, be happy with 450-500 whp, then upgrade pistons and rods at the same time when you can afford it.

Sorry about being in too much of a hurry to actually read your first post.

 

[tom04841]

Its ok, your not an idiot...

 

[qtxdevilz]

i am sure it will not take you more than a month or two to save up money for rods and pistons...if you do the tear down again later...you will be doing a lot more labor and you will have to spend money on a headgasket again...

 

[qtxdevilz]

I understand where you are all coming from.

I am divorced w/ 2 kids to pay child support for. I cant afford to get both rods and pistons, since 1/3 of my paycheck goes to them. And the rest goes towards rent and bills. I won't have the money for rods and pistons until next tax season...

I am a mechanic and the shop is at my disposal. By the time next spring rolls around, I am sure i won't mind putting in new rods/pistons.....i just didn't want to if i didn't have to. But it looks like that is what is what i am facing.

I Think i can stay pretty content with a measly 450-500 hp for a year .

I think i will just grab the cams now, and look forward to next year.

if you were seriously that broke...i would not be wasting the money on auto parts...save it for a rainy day...

or go sell some drugs...hehehe...

 

[tom04841]

f you were seriously that broke...i would not be wasting the money on auto parts

I am not that broke, just there is not extra play money left over each week. Evrything i do to my car is in spurts.....right around february 15th..... tax return time. Thats pretty much the only play money there is for me all year.

I can live with what i have until next year.

Thanks for the input guys. You saved me from getting something that would be pretty much a pointless upgrade. I'll just crack her open next year......maybe i'll make it a stroker. who knows. I have a year to think about it.