87-93 Which year had forged pistons?

If purchasing a late '92 model year motor, it would be wise to check - that is when the switch was made.

Good luck.
 
Aliate X said:
Other parts are going to break on a stock 5.0 bottem end LONG before the pistons just to let everyone know.
All things being equal, any power adder should eat the hypereutectics (yes that's how it is spelled :) ) long before they will the stout forgings.
 
I ran 150 shot w/ TFS heads, Edelbrock intake and all the other stuff w/ the stock '87block w/ forged pistons for years w/ no problems. Great block and pistons. Oh yes, ditto on the years.
 
VERY LATE 92s started the switch, 1 trick I learned a long time ago that is NOT 100% Foolproof, but is pretty accurate is the color of the Oil Pan.

Silver Pan = Forged
Black Pan = Hypers
 
Rumor has it that the very late production 92's made the switch to hypers -- if your valve covers still have legible bar-code stickers on them (fat chance), and it's a 92 model with a July or August, 92 build date, chances are good you've got hypers, not forged.
 
Shakerhood said:
VERY LATE 92s started the switch, 1 trick I learned a long time ago that is NOT 100% Foolproof, but is pretty accurate is the color of the Oil Pan.

Silver Pan = Forged
Black Pan = Hypers


I thought it was a a greenish pan = forged ? not sure though.
 
Hypers are fine in the right application. They actually stronger than forged -- however, they're not as ductile. So when things go wrong in the chamber -- detonation or lean with nitrous for example -- a forged piston is more forgiving than a hyper. To oversimplify - forged pistons bend - hypers break. Because they're more brittle, when they let go they usually take out a bunch more other stuff. With a forged, you might just push a hole through the piston. With a hyper -- a lot more concomitant damage occurs.
 
pistons

Forged pistons are better for hipo use,but hypereutectics seal better due to tighter fit. Forged pistons have a lot looser running clearance .004-.006"vs. .001-.002" which means less internal friction but more oil consumption and noise which is why Ford switched. Heavy nitrous, boost and heat makes pistons expand and makes piston ring gaps butt together which scores cylinder walls, which is one of the reasons race cars use them.