I bought a 2004 6.0L vortec + 4L80E + 10.5" 14bolt rearend. While the motor is out I was thinking of beefing it up before I swap it out with my 5.3L. So running an STS turbocharger with 6psi low and 10psi 2nd stage, what would you guys recommend as the best forged piston for this motor? BTW it has 5000miles on it, so no need to rebuilt it fully. I was thinking along the lines of leaving the crank alone, as it seems my power curve seems to start dropping around 4500-5000rpm, and without sky-high RPMs, I dont see a need for a forged crank. I do think forged pistons would be in order as a little protection from pre-ignition. Anyone here have a good experience with an aftermarket forged piston? Weisco or any others I cant think of?

 

if your going to do forged pistons id recomend doign rods also. for pistons right now im looking at je, mahle and diamond.

 

What he said, also check out Probe. Wiseco is good too.

 

i'm using Ross dished 8.0:1 forged and ceramic coated in my truck (they were one of the only custom making them at the time) - and i agree - if you do the pistons do the rest of the bottom end

 

Yea, Rods and pistons for sure, but without needing high rpm's to make power, it just didnt seem a great need for a forged crank. Such a wonderfull thing about the turbo, you just dont need 5000+ for power. At least in my case my 5.3 starts to taper off around 4900rpm. HUGE power up to it though ~8D! I have read a lot of about guys doing up to 14psi of boost and getting by just fine on a bone stock vortec, so seems they are put together pretty damn good.

 

Running the JE's in mine......I have heard nice things about Probe though.

 

diamond.

 

Are there no "off the shelf" forged pistons for a 5.3L...I have seen none...I know, I know...why a 5.3L?...just curious...that's all...

 

All those suggestions sound good.
I'm using Diamond.
Look at my avatar. Isn't it pretty?
Can you go wrong with a reputable brand?
Find one to get the compression ratio you are looking for off the shelf.

 

searched online a couple of weeks ago...didn't find ANYONE that carried a piston with the bore needed for a 5.3L...