13:1 Compression Pistons in 340 Small Block

Well, no argument about those pistons for an all out race engine. But most people tire of a 13 to 1 all out race engine on the street fairly quickly. However, I'm not saying I wouldn't enjoy this kind of a build way too much myself! When the fuel is race gas or your burning 40 percent plus more e85 than you would gasoline, things become costly quickly, hence a pump gas build is cheaper to operate long term. I mentioned maintenance but I was thinking more of breakage. But if you get the domes milled for a reasonable compression ratio and maintain quench, nothing wrong with them in a street build if they measure out okay.


I don't think anyone told the OP to use them as 13:1 Pistons. I'm saying use them as 11:1 Pistons. Done correctly, he can do that on pump gas, get .040 quench and have a very low dome. Then the piston will be lighter, he won't be through the roof on compression and he can use what he has.

BTW, to get 13:1 out of those Pistons isn't easy. They still have to be out of the deck .040-.050 to do it.

Can't tell you how many engines came through the shop that were some claimed compression ratio and when it came apart, it wasn't even close.

Especially the MoPar stuff with open chamber heads and a zero deck. Even with the piston out .017 like some books call for, you are nowhere near the claimed CR.