Thread: Piston Selection Keith Black Forged or Speed Pro Forged

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I was wondering which of the attached pistons or the ones listed below, FE FORUM users would recommend?

I was leaning toward the Keith Black because they are ~147 grams lighter than the speed pro and have the modern style ring grooves as well as a half point higher compression.

Any suggstions greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Josh


Brand Keith Black/KB Pistons
Manufacturer Part Number KB862-060
Part Type Pistons
Product Line Keith Black Forged Pistons
Price $499.00

Description Pistons, Forged, Flat, 4.110 in. Bore, 1/16 in., 1/16 in., 3/16 in. Ring, Ford, Big Block FE, Set of 8
Bore (in) 4.110 in.
Bore (mm) 104.394mm
Compression Distance (in) 1.770 in.
Dome Height (in) -
Notes -
Pin Diameter (in) 0.975 in.
Piston Head Volume (cc) +5.00cc
Piston Material Forged aluminum
Piston Ring Thickness 1/16 in. x 1/16 in. x 3/16 in.
Piston Style Flat top, with a trough
Quantity Sold as a set of 8.
Wrist Pin Style Press-fit or floating
Piston Weight 554
Wrist Pin Weight 135
Piston + Pin Weight 689


Brand Speed Pro
Manufacturer Part Number ZL2291F60
Part Type Pistons
Product Line Speed-Pro Power Forged Pistons
Price $335.60

Description Piston, Forged, Flat, 4.110 in. Bore, 5/64 in., 3/32 in., 3/16 in. Ring, Big Block Ford FE, Each
Bore (in) 4.110 in.
Bore (mm) 104.394mm
Compression Distance (in) 1.776 in.
Dome Height (in) -
Notes DurOshield® coated piston skirt.
Pin Diameter (in) 0.975 in.
Piston Head Volume (cc) +10.00cc
Piston Material Forged aluminum
Piston Ring Thickness 5/64 in. x 3/32 in. x 3/16 in.
Piston Style Flat top, with four valve reliefs
Quantity Sold individually.
Wrist Pin Style Press-fit or floating
Piston Weight 685
Wrist Pin Weight 149-153
Piston + Pin Weight 834-838

Well, you've certainly done your homework. The link was impressive and I'm hard to impress.

Your point about weight is well taken. The motor should be easier to balance with the lighter piston/pin and should spin up a little quicker as well as being a little easier on the crank, rods and bearings.

On a low rpm street motor, I prefer the thicker ring for better sealing, but if you're gonna spin the motor up some, the thinner, lighter ring will stay seated on the bottom of the ring land better and stave off flutter.

As far as piston deck height, I usually want the tallest compression height I can get in order to prevent excessive cutting on the block decks to get where I want to be. In this case, 0.006" difference ain't gonna make or break the decks.

All things considered, I'd go with the lighter piston.

Good luck findin' the Speed Pro's....I ended up with Diamond 41002's and am quite pleased.

Bore Stroke Rod C.D. Weight Pin CC’s 72cc 70cc 68cc Ring Set Part #
4.080 3.784 6.490 1.775 582 .975 x 2.930 -6.0cc 9.8 10.0 10.2 09024080 41002

Of course I'm at.030 over but the similarities are strong. Enjoy!

Hello Jeff,
Have you seen any non custom Diamond 4.110 pistons? I checked with all the major players and speed pro and keith black are the only ones I could find available that were not custom. I wouldn't mind custom if they were only $500, but I can't see paying $1000 for a set.
Thanks for the info. Josh

Hello Tech inspector, did you receive my post the other night?
I don't see it and don't know what happend to it.
Thanks, josh

I reckon not....

Hello Techinspector1,
Can you please either send me your e-mail address of e-mail me @ hardtj@neuro.wustl.edu so that i can send you more detailed information?
I keep getting this message when I try to post.
HRTATK1
Thank you for posting! Your post will not be visible until a moderator has approved it for posting.
Thanks, Josh

Josh, you recieve that message just because you are a new member here on CHR...It's done to eliminate the one time posters who come on here and try to spam us with porn, advertising, and scams....

Not sure what your post count has to be, but the limitation of having your posts checked by a moderator before being displayed will end soon....

BTW, with all the mass swingin' around in an FE, anything that can be done to lighten the innards is certainly going to help!!!! Sounds like you are indeed on the right track.!!!!

Josh

I recently did a 428fe with Diamond pistons that weighed 585 and pins at 150
Total bob weight with billet rods was 2270 and balanced nicely with the small weight on flywheel--owner loves the motor in a Shell Valley Cobra

I'm also a Diamond piston user. Very nice product. Also where the Speed Pro and KB pistons are made could be a factor. Some of the inexpensive cast versions are poorly made (overseas) with tolorances all over the place. It can be ugly. Do you really need a .060 piston? That's about all she can take with minimal coreshift. Probe sells a few 390-410 and 428 pistons dish and flat top for $500ish. I think they are forged but you'd have to check. Also have you tried to call Diamond direct? You can if you haven't. Some vendors might be able to get a better deal as well.

I need .060 over pistons bescause that is what the block has been bored. I have about 30 hours running on it with new speedpro cast pistons that I installed nearly 15 years ago. I am finally getting around to restroing the car and upgrading performance. I have talked to everyone that I know of and the only two companies that make or stock forged pistons at the 4.110 bore for this engine are KB and speed pro. Everyone else will make to my specs for a $1000-$1200 for the set. I just can't see paying that much for a set. If any of you know a way to get another brand of better quality at a better price I am open to suggestions. If I was only .040 over pistons wouldn't be a problem. If I was starting from scratch, I would choose a different block so that I could use a common forged piston from Diamond, Ross, Arias etc.

The Speed-Pro manufacturing was moved to India about three years ago and the quality and delivery went into the toilet. KB is a better bet.

The Diamonds are even better, but do cost more. They will do a custom bore size within .010 on any catalog piston for only $45 extra so that is not a big deal.