Keith Black Pistons

[wally426ci]

I have them in my motor, no problems. Great, knock on wood.  Anyway, I had a guy tell me yesterday that he has seen them fly apart b/c the daughter sold the company to some Tawain owners.... Any truth to this? Although, he also swore that my car was absolutely not B5 Blue. Even though I bought the paint which was coded for 69/70 B5..... so maybe he doesnt have all the facts.... He does have my car right now though to do the exhaust.. 

[Chryco Psycho]

I will not use a KB piston , just not worth the risk
 there is a difference between EB5 & GB5 blue

[wally426ci]

you're right about the years/colors

now I need to worry about my pistons? 

[lemming303]

What's wrong with the KB's? I was thinking about using them. Which are better?

[Moparal]

I got KB 237's in mine right now. I never have used KB's before. I am not a fan of them but they are doing ok. I got them out of a block that had 1/2 mile on the parts then a winter freeze cracked his block over that night after break in.  lol. I bought the whole 67 440 block complete for 400 bucks with new eagle rods and fresh crank to. I wanna get rid of it tho and build another 70 block. Anyone want the 68 440 that is in my car now?

Kb's are holding up as far as the post is going. Gotta have the ring gaps right and the bore right

[The Cuda Guy]

Ok guys so if the KB are a no go what pistons are we talking here for a street/strip car (10-11.5 Comp Ratio)?  Ross, TRW, Diamond, I mean the list goes on?  I would guess it would come down to durability and performability???  What do you guys who have the knowledge recommend or what have you guys done in the past that you would do again?  Thanks.

Don 

[Chryco Psycho]

Any Quality piston is good , I use only forged , the cost difference is not enough to use cast
 I have used 440 source, Speed Pro, Wiseco, Diamond,JE & Probe with no issues 

[hemiken]

Ok guys so if the KB are a no go what pistons are we talking here for a street/strip car (10-11.5 Comp Ratio)?  Ross, TRW, Diamond, I mean the list goes on?  I would guess it would come down to durability and performability???  What do you guys who have the knowledge recommend or what have you guys done in the past that you would do again?  Thanks.

Don 

Hey Don,

If you ever decide to get a stroker kit from 440 source, you will have no problems as their pistons are quality pieces ols mate.

[Grancoupe]

I have always heard Keith Black pistons getting a bad rap. i personally went with Wiseco's. Wonder where all the negativity comes from? I just didn't risk it.

[AMXguy]

The machine shop I use says they order KB's by the hundreds and have for several years.  they say they've had almost no problems on any engine not running nitrous, in fact they prefer them on street engines over anything else.

[bb71challenger]

I know a guy who runs KB pistons in his small blocks all the time. He likes the tight fit of cast with the extra strength of the hypereutectic alloy. This guy was running 10's with a 68 fastback 'Cuda and 7's with a little block rail on alcohol. He swore by 'em.  I want forged myself though just for the added peace of mind they give.

[Chryco Psycho]

The machine shop I use says they order KB's by the hundreds and have for several years.  they say they've had almost no problems on any engine not running nitrous, in fact they prefer them on street engines over anything else.

 I have heard that as well & also heard a ton of good stuff on Comp cams ....I just know from experience there is better stuff out there so I don`t use either , I can`t afford to take the chance in a customers engine .
 The bottom line is it is your engine use what you are happy with & live with whatever results you get .

[hemiken]

Guys over here will not touch a KB that has the pin running into the ring land, ones needing the ring support for them.   Just are not strong enough and they have issues in this area.  But if you have a non ring supported KB with the pin under the ring land, they are an acceptable piston to use.  Talking forged of course, hypertechtics are for less serious strip combos.

[Belgium Cuda]

Thanks for the incuraging words about KB, I think I will let my engine hanging on that stand.

[Supercuda]

I have heard a lot of good and bad comments about hypereutectic pistons, from any manufacturer. Ford has used them in their mod engines for years now, and there have been failures, but not enough for them to stop using them. I have personally used cast pistons from TRW and from Chrysler, and both were excellent. TRW forgings have always been good, but as Chryco said, there are better parts out there. I used Ross pistons, and have heard nothing but praise for Wiseco, JE, and Diamond forgings. My Ross forgings were beautiful, and were so close in weight as to not need adjusting. Bore sizing was also easy, as there was insignificant difference in piston diameter from piston to piston. Use what you like, and know the limitations of your parts.