Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
My project is to upgrade my 88 to a 95 in my 02 RKC. I'm struggling with what pistons to buy.
Here's my build. I've already got S&S 510G cams, AN Big Sucker, PCIII and V&H DresserDuals into V&H Ovals installed on my 88". All this is staying for the 95" build.
I've got a set of Revolution Performance stage 2 heads that have been CC'd to 85CC. Nice heads.
I'm boring out my 88" jugs to 95", but I'm unsure of which piston to use. I want a compression around 9.5:1. It's not a race bike, I enjoy cruisng at 60 mph or short hops around town while running erands on Saturdays. I very rarely beat on my bike other than to give the throttle a twist to pass a truck or occasionally make some noise. Torque is what I am after not necessarily big HP nunbers (although 100/100 would put a smile on my face).
With all this said, I don't plan to exceed the 6200 rpm rating of the SE cast pistons. Is there any other reason I need to consider a forged piston? I like the quiet running SE cast pistons and I'll be under 6200 rpm (I'll set the rev limiter to 6000). So why else would I want a forged piston instead of what I plan to use (SE cast flat top)?
Thanks,
equandt
Here's my build. I've already got S&S 510G cams, AN Big Sucker, PCIII and V&H DresserDuals into V&H Ovals installed on my 88". All this is staying for the 95" build.
I've got a set of Revolution Performance stage 2 heads that have been CC'd to 85CC. Nice heads.
I'm boring out my 88" jugs to 95", but I'm unsure of which piston to use. I want a compression around 9.5:1. It's not a race bike, I enjoy cruisng at 60 mph or short hops around town while running erands on Saturdays. I very rarely beat on my bike other than to give the throttle a twist to pass a truck or occasionally make some noise. Torque is what I am after not necessarily big HP nunbers (although 100/100 would put a smile on my face).
With all this said, I don't plan to exceed the 6200 rpm rating of the SE cast pistons. Is there any other reason I need to consider a forged piston? I like the quiet running SE cast pistons and I'll be under 6200 rpm (I'll set the rev limiter to 6000). So why else would I want a forged piston instead of what I plan to use (SE cast flat top)?
Thanks,
equandt
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RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 1
From: IL
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
No problems with my s/e flat tops.Also have couple of buddys that use them.You should also think about using cometic .030 head gaskets to help with getting the compression you are wanting.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,410
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From: Knoxville, TN
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
Wiseco 10.5:1
You'll get this motor built and after a couple weeks..you'll be saying, "SELF...why didn't you put in better parts?"
You'll get this motor built and after a couple weeks..you'll be saying, "SELF...why didn't you put in better parts?"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,559
Likes: 3,955
From: Vermont
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
I used SE Flattops on my 95 build on my 04. Had heads ported to 9.5:1 and used an Andrews 26g which isn't too far off from your S&S 510's. +1 on the Cometic .030
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 192
Likes: 5
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
Assuming you plan to install a cast piston, if the heads have oversized valves you should go with a different brand of piston or have the valve reliefs on the SE's cutout more towards the outside of the piston. The SE cast flattops have the valve reliefs located too far toward the center of the piston and you'll likely have piston-valve contact.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,603
Likes: 10
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
sounds like youre doin a hodgepodge build....do yourself a favor and buy a kit with forged pistons to go with those heads...you'll hate the paltry performance of the 510's.....SE sucks
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Roswell, GA
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
I suggest you call RevPerf and see what they say about the piston/cam combination.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
ORIGINAL: BadPiggy
Wiseco 10.5:1
You'll get this motor built and after a couple weeks..you'll be saying, "SELF...why didn't you put in better parts?"
Wiseco 10.5:1
You'll get this motor built and after a couple weeks..you'll be saying, "SELF...why didn't you put in better parts?"
What does the Wiseco piston do for me that the SE cast won't? Will I get 20K more miles from it? Will my torque curve be better? Will the engine have a higher VE with the Wiseco piston? Please explain.
Thanks,
equandt
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
RE: Do I need a better piston than the SE flat top
ORIGINAL: Harleypingman
I suggest you call RevPerf and see what they say about the piston/cam combination.
I suggest you call RevPerf and see what they say about the piston/cam combination.
The Rev Perf. shop is a good shop for what they do, I'm not kick them at all. They're going to suggest I buy what they sell. No fault there.
Someone just needs to explain why I need a forged piston. I'm OK with getting them if I understand why I am buying it for my application.
Thanks for the help.