What kind of power can our cast pistons handle?

[BGoins12]

Just wondering what the cast pistons can handle since the HO motors had forged pistons.

And did our engines have roller lifters? I was told they aren't but I was told by somebody else that roller lifters became standard in all 85-86+ 5.0s except the trucks.

TIA!

[jayh]

85 5spd only, 86up all 302's are rollers

different people will give you different answers as far as pistons, when I worked for GM, I was told 100hp/liter. that formula never made any sense to me though. tuneup is crucial

[gadget73]

I probably wouldn't feel very comfortable trying to make over 300 hp or so with the stock craptacular pistons. The lack of valve reliefs will become a problem before you make serious enough power to have to worry about it though.

[1980c10]

+1 on jayh Its all in the tune, I would say 300 wouldnt be a problem at all if your tune is money.

[jayh]

if you stay NA, I wouldnt even worry about the pistons all that much