Greetings oh wise Olds -officianado's.
I am looking for some piston help.
I am building up a serious (by my definition) 455. I have chosen Edelbrock heads, Victor manifold, H beam rods, Harland sharp r/r's, and I selected TRW l2323f pistons. But these do not work on the H beam floaters.
I was just about to order a set of KB +30cc dish pistons. Does anyone have any comments on the KB's or my combo?
I am 80% sure I will be running twin turbo's (Depends on my turbo builders workload!) so I can't see much more than 9.0:1 CR. It will also be fuel injected, so i have complete control on fuel, & Spark timing.
thanks in advance,.

 

Don't tell me I've stumped the experts!? Does anybody have any experiences to add on the KB pistons?
What do others use?

 

Well....I would refer you over to www.realoldspower.com as over there they are more race oriented but dont be surprised if ya ask a question there and many reply that ya need a certain part and they just happen to have the item for sale. A lot of that goes on over there but the site is very active performance wise. I thought the Victor Manifold was only for cars that use Batton Heads?....Could be wrong......

 

The Victor Manifold & Edelbrock heads port match very nicely. A little bit of work, if you are really concerned. The amazing thing is how small the exhaust ports are compared to factory. Probably 1/2 the size.
I got a better vibe from this forum, but I might duck over and have a quick look.

 

I used the TRW pistons on my build and it is mild 9.5:1 cr. I like the performance I got from them. If you found they are not right for your rods an option might be changing rods (??). If you are set on using the rods then I can't say about the K&Bs, never used them. The TRWs really don't have a reputation for pure performance as they are pretty heavy compared to others. I think your K&Bs would work but no experience as I said. Let us know though.

 

You can have a production machine shop cut the grove you need for the spring locks for the floating pins. But the TRW's are very heavy. The KB's will do what you need for the floating pins, But the twin turbo deal, I think KB's will give you trouble. If you are positive on the turbo's you would be better off with some custom units.
I would contact Bill at "BTR Racing". He is the man, You might try "Olds Performance Products" also. Both are on the east coast. They are both listed on "ROP"
Gene

 

I'll Conact Bill tonight. My Turbo Guy likes the Hyper's over the forged ones anyway. We'll only be running 10psi boost, and it is a street car. Not a race engine.
As for the stock rods, i was silly enough to sell to some Kat building up a Cadillac, and he don't wanna sell 'em back. and yes I do like the look of these H Beams!
I priced machining the TRW's, but it was more expensive than the original pistons, so I figure i'll sell the trw's, buy the Kb's. They sit lower in the block, and it'll be a much happier turbo engine.
Goes without sayin', i have a set of TRW's if anyone needs them.
Oldsmobubbles are pretty rare over here, otherwise I'd keep them for another 455 build.