SICAMG

Looking at doing a spare short block for the future. The Darton sleeves and machining are crazy money so would it be worth while to install aftermarket forged pistons into the stock cylinder wall block? Just kicking some ideas around.

6172crew

Engine builders tend to be weird and want to do things a certain way, Id buy the block/rotating assembly and have them/him look it over and tell you what they want to do. You can certainly mention you want certain things done but they probably have certain parts they want to use and a good idea on how to make it function for whatever application you agree on. If the engine grenades you want him to be happy about how he did things and not talked into things he thinks wont work well. Seems like no 2 engine builders do things the same, and all swear that there is only one right way.

JoeJErnst

My understanding is that forged pistons don't play well with the aluminum cylinder walls, hence the need to sleeve. And if you're doing that you might as well get some better rods. It seems OEM crankshaft is pretty stout and can handle pretty much anything anyone has thrown at it.

None of that is first-hand experience, however. I'd love to hear from seasoned pros as I am considering the same thing down the line sometime.

SICAMG

Well looking to build something more stout. But...... when you think of it aside from the normal hurting of number 8 these engines even with very high miles can take some serious abuse.
Never heard of one spinning a bearing,throwing a rod or breaking a crank. It's always that dang piston/pistons.