Keith Black Pistons

[ROKN69]

Hi All,

Last Friday I experienced a failure of a Keith Black piston. I was told when I ordered it that it would handle up to 800 HP, including mild Nitrous use. I have only been running 91 octane pump gas with no power adders. My engine makes around 600-625 HP. I was on a 1/4 mile pass at Sacramento Raceway last Friday when I heard a POP at around 7200 RPM. I thought the carb backfired so I let out of it, shifted to 3rd, and about a second later I touched the brakes to slow down. The engine was running but making a few rattling noises. I pulled off the track and shut it down.

Long story short, I took the engine apart and the attached image is what I found.

I called KB and was told that they don't make this piston anymore because of breakage issues, but they won't do anything for me, either. I'm a little miffed. I was about to run a mild shot of Nitrous on this motor in one more week. If I had, I expect my engine would have blown up as all 8 pistons would have failed at once.

Today I ordered a set of Wiseco pistons built for mild Nitrous use, and was told they will handle up to 900 HP. The most I ever expect to run is around 850-875 HP (a 250 shot of N2O). Hopefully these new pistons will work. I hate not knowing for sure, especially considering I was told wrong once before.

The new Wiseco's are part # PT025H3. Does anyone have any experience with these? They are for a 383 CID small block chevy. 4.030 bore, 5.7 inch rod with a 3.75 stroke.

Any advice / help is appreciated.