federal mogul piston

5798camaro · 03-13-2009, 09:38 PM

Ok I'm new here but this is my 3rd post and I have yet to get a reply I'm starting to take it personal my ? is I just bought a 87 camaro stocker 305 FI and I just found out it has federal mogul cast alum pistons I heard they're not the greatest thing since sliced bread I understand that but will I just be low on H.P or if I run them will I need a hole new engine because they won't hold up in my car.

Bob Gullett · 03-13-2009, 09:48 PM

In my spare engine (actually an engine I ran for years) I've had cast pistons. 327-275 stocker behind a stick. If you have a choice no doubt use a good forged piston but assuming is built with the proper clearances there should be no reason it shouldn't live with the cast pistons. I would usually run the pistons no more than 100 runs and replace them. I do know that many racers have had engines with hundreds of runs with cast pistons.

5798camaro · 03-14-2009, 08:29 AM

Thats good to know my biggest fear is they won't hold up If the car will run the index then I would like to run it the way it is for a year or so. That is if I can keep my job.

JHeath · 03-14-2009, 08:44 AM

I used FM cast pistons in my 89 5.0 mustang stocker for 7 years. Set national record in 2000 @ 1.06 under the index. Made many runs in the 12.30-12.50 range on indexes of 13.25-13.40 in M/S, N/S, O/S G/FI and H/FI. Still have have them in a box in the garage,look like new after several hundred runs. Not bad for the price of $106.00 for all 8

Jeff Lee · 03-14-2009, 04:18 PM

Any piston is subject to failure if it hits something, is run under lean conditions or subject to detonation. If you take precautions against these issues, you should be fine.
Someday you'll build a new engine and can afford dedicated race pistons and you will go faster due to better ring seal and possibly compression. But for now, use what you have and enjoy the ride!

03-13-2009, 09:38 PM	#1
5798camaro Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mahtowa MN Posts: 44 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	federal mogul piston Ok I'm new here but this is my 3rd post and I have yet to get a reply I'm starting to take it personal my ? is I just bought a 87 camaro stocker 305 FI and I just found out it has federal mogul cast alum pistons I heard they're not the greatest thing since sliced bread I understand that but will I just be low on H.P or if I run them will I need a hole new engine because they won't hold up in my car.

03-13-2009, 09:48 PM	#2
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,069 Likes: 42 Liked 414 Times in 92 Posts	Re: federal mogul piston In my spare engine (actually an engine I ran for years) I've had cast pistons. 327-275 stocker behind a stick. If you have a choice no doubt use a good forged piston but assuming is built with the proper clearances there should be no reason it shouldn't live with the cast pistons. I would usually run the pistons no more than 100 runs and replace them. I do know that many racers have had engines with hundreds of runs with cast pistons. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S Last edited by Bob Gullett; 03-14-2009 at 08:25 PM.

03-14-2009, 08:29 AM	#3
5798camaro Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mahtowa MN Posts: 44 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: federal mogul piston Thats good to know my biggest fear is they won't hold up If the car will run the index then I would like to run it the way it is for a year or so. That is if I can keep my job.

03-14-2009, 08:44 AM	#4
JHeath Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 788 Likes: 2,890 Liked 370 Times in 102 Posts	Re: federal mogul piston I used FM cast pistons in my 89 5.0 mustang stocker for 7 years. Set national record in 2000 @ 1.06 under the index. Made many runs in the 12.30-12.50 range on indexes of 13.25-13.40 in M/S, N/S, O/S G/FI and H/FI. Still have have them in a box in the garage,look like new after several hundred runs. Not bad for the price of $106.00 for all 8 __________________ Jerry Heath I/S '93 Cobra FS/J 2010 Mustang "Ebay CJ" Last edited by JHeath; 03-14-2009 at 08:45 AM. Reason: mistake

03-14-2009, 04:18 PM	#5
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: federal mogul piston Any piston is subject to failure if it hits something, is run under lean conditions or subject to detonation. If you take precautions against these issues, you should be fine. Someday you'll build a new engine and can afford dedicated race pistons and you will go faster due to better ring seal and possibly compression. But for now, use what you have and enjoy the ride! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX