TA Performance Forged Light Weight Racing Pistons are custom forged and machined from the highest quality aluminum alloy 2618-T6. Each piston blank made undergoes a strict quality control program that includes zyglo and ultrasonic inspection of each forging. After extensive studies of competitive forged pistons, we found that incorporating the proper ribbing, an arched head and the use of filleting are of the utmost importance in providing the added reliability needed for todays higher RPM, high compression Buick engines. These pistons are heat resistant with low expansion characteristics, giving greater strength at higher engine cylinder temperatures. Another important feature of the TA Forged piston is the proper spacing of the ring grooves to prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber. Also, every TA Forged piston is pin fitted, balanced and inspected before shipping.
    These light weight race pistons will require a floating pin installation on our Sportsman forged or our billet rods. Our TA 1611 piston has a nominal compression ratio of 11:1 on most 455’s using stock `67-`74 heads as well as our Stage 1 and Stage 2 series heads. With deck or head modifications or the use of closed chambered heads compression can be increased to 13:1 or greater. These pistons on average weigh 794 grams with the wrist pin which is over 250 grams less than a stock piston with pin and almost 200 grams less than the production forged piston with pin.
    Many high end machining features are incorporated in our race pistons. For example: The top ring land has multiple grooves  machined into it which results in a Reduced Contact Area, thus reducing the drag on the piston. An Accumulator Groove is incorporated in the second land between the top and second rings, this feature displaces  compression gas's that can cause ring flutter. Double Pin Oilers scavenge oil from the oil ring then utilizing internal passages direct that oil into the wrist pin boss. Oil Return Holes in the oil ring groove return excess oil to the crankcase through the underside of the piston, this feature also aides in the cooling of the piston. Contoured Skirts remove unnecessary material to reduce weight. These pistons also have a specially Cam Ground Body, this procedure makes the piston slightly out of round. By doing so the loads of the piston are distributed more evenly which greatly reduces the stress on the cylinders and is  attributed to reduced cylinder wall breakage. Lastly, these pistons incorporate generous Valve Reliefs that will accommodate almost any valve lift. Pistons come already Pin Fit for the ideal wrist pin clearance.
    Don’t be misled by less expensive pistons because the little bit you may save could cause you to lose out on some additional features that really DO make a difference in the power and durability that your combination is capable of. Many of these features are omitted or beyond the capabilities of other piston makers. Additionally,  these features usually are expensive options, but we have worked diligently to make them TA standard features.

Pistons have the same bore, valve reliefs and ring features as our TA 1611, but with 1.775” compression height. When used with our 494 stroker combination the modified compression height reduces the amount of side loading on the piston. Part Number TA 1612 is specifically for our 494 stroker kit. Use TA 1610 custom pistons for all other bore and stroke combinations.