Thread: Pistons for my BBC 402

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I'm in the process of building a BBC 402 for my street driven '79 Corvette. I do also play on a few local 1/4 mile tracks so I've sorta grown out of the stock L-48.

I have a 1972 standard bore 402 just about ready for assembly. I'm collected most of my required parts and soon it will be coming to life.

I'll be using a 427 Froged crank and rods, Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads (new) ovalports, Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake to match, and I have my Comp Cams Extreme Energy 552/555 lift with 230/236 duration. I plan on running with my current MSD-6AL ignition system and also I'll be using my great working Quadrajet. I have all my other little pieces like push-rods and lifters but I'm just waiting now on my pistons.

I have a set of new cast (stock) which have a rather small dome (.115)and 1 valve relief. I could use these but I'm thinking I'd have a chance of reaching my goal of about 450 horse with a bit more compression. By what I'm calculating here a forged TRW piston, part # L2328F would have a .319 dome and then I'd end up about 9.8:1 compression.

I guess what I'd like to know is if I'm on the right track here and should I just call Jegs or Summit and get these pistons ordered. Can't wait to get this BBC into my car. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

You'll need somewhere between 9.5 and 11.0 to make that cam work right.