cast pistons for a 354

Are there any other cast pistons available for a '56 354 hemi than the stock 9:1? Really don't have the need or budget to justify forged, but 9:1 seems really mild for a hemi.

 

It's not really mild for currently available pump gas of 87 to 91 octane.

Ray

 

I'll 2nd that! You might find some old Jahns that are higher.

 

keep an eye out on the auction sites, i once found a set of arias pistons for my 331 that were like new, paid $50 including shipping for them, no one must of seen them or knew what they were.

 

First of all, the advertised compression on any new, cast piston should be considered suspect. We have found some that miss by as much as 1½ points. Obviously, the manufactures are being very conservative. If you buy such a set, be sure that you can return them if they don't measure up.
We regularily use 10:1 forgings in just about every Hemi rebuild that goes out the door. No fuel issues (so far) even with low overlap cams.
The problem that most folks have is that they forget that the Hemi chamber is so much more efficient than a wedge shape (that relies on a quench pad).

Let me know if forgings are in your future...

.

 

Thanks for all of the input guys. Would 9:1 satisfy a mild cam and (2) 500 edelbrocks, or would be it be lazy? From what I've found it looks like forged will be about double the cost, is this what they go for at your shop too 73RR?

 

1½ - 2 times depending what you are comparing. But, the $250-$400 additional is the best performance money you can spend. Hell, a new AFB costs that much...... Leave off all of the aluminum eye candy and buy stuff that make some grunt.
...and don't go wild on a big overbore....

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