Ideal 1st gen pistons?

[rockjeep73]

SO what are the best cummins pistons to use in a high performance 1st gen build.

I was going to go with pistons from a 96 215hp motor, but after finding out in another thread that there are 4 different bowl variations I am open to opinions.

Would a non-intercooled piston be better? Im not sure how the bowl compares to the 215 piston? As far as I know the ring locations are the same for those two, which are better than the other pistons.

[ford69557ci]

im going with the lower compression factory marine pistons and they are factory coated on the skirts

[rockjeep73]

The only reason I was wanting to stay away from the 370 marine pistons was because I am going with a .020" thicker gasket which is already going to put my compression around 15.5:1 with how much was taken off my block. With the marine pistons I would be down to around 14.5:1 which seems to low to me for the limited fuel quanity of the VE.

[KTA]

I like 15.3 marine pistons, and have made good power with them on p-pumps. My truck still has the stock non-ic pistons. I don't know which is the best, but the marines shure do make it easier on rod bearings and head gaskets. With the high comp pistons you don't have to run as much timing though.

[rockjeep73]

how do the bowls compare between the non-intercooled pistons and the 96 215 pistons?

Also do you think it would be smart to keep the compression above at least 15:1 for a VE motor?

thanks for the input.

[KTA]

The bowls are roughly the same size, I don't know how to put it other than they are shaped diffrent, like the 96 has more lip and the center tower is more pronounced. For competition I think the 15:1 is better, for street its aweful low and is a compromise.

[ford69557ci]

low fuel delivery of the ve????????????????????????????????

[rockjeep73]

For an all out performance application, compared to a built p-pump. The fuel delivery is very low.

[DTanklage]

SO what are the best cummins pistons to use in a high performance 1st gen build?

i dont know for sure either but i would venture to say that the 1st gen pistons are prolly at the bottom of the list

why is everyone talking about compression differences?

if you are starting from scratch you can mock up and cc the thing and deck it to what ever you want

and from the way i understand it there is not very much diff in compression ratios anyways - the main diff is the bowl

doesnt the 215 2nd gen piston have the most desirable bowl?