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Earlier this year the guys at JE Pistons released their new FSR piston design for a wide range of engines, but they didn’t stop there.
“We decided to upgrade it further by adding the first off-the-shelf 3D milling to the entire undercrown. We’re able to further reduce weight and produce effectively a fully machined forged piston. There are 60 applications available off-the-shelf for the big-block Chevrolet,” says JE’s Sean Crawford.
Through the use of finite element analysis, JE was able to simulate the stresses the FSR pistons will undergo during operation in high-horsepower engines and develop the piston accordingly. Pistons undergo both thermal and mechanical stress, and JE expects the new external bracing on the piston to help provide additional support to the strut towers.
“The 3D milling is applied to the undercrown and the external voids towards the outside of the piston. Our smooth finish crown process is applied to the top of every piston to smooth out all sharp edges that are common on Big Block Chevy dome pistons. The finish across the entire crown is smoother and a machined surface, therefore reducing the likelihood of cracks forming,” Crawford explains.
This design also lends itself to a shorter wristpin–2.500-inch, .180-inch wall heavy duty–that are 26 grams lighter than other designs.
They also spent a ton of time working on the supplied ring package, and are offering these slugs with .043-inch/.043-inch/3.0mm dimensions. A steel nitride top ring works well in power-adder applications. They’ve also selected a Napier second ring and low-tension oil ring that’s designed to provide excellent oil control while reducing friction.
The ring package is 25 grams lighter than JE’s previous designs. In conjunction with the reduced weight of the piston pins, there is 51 grams of weight reduction with this design. And we all know reduced rotating weight is free horsepower!
Two more views of the piston design. Material is strategically removed to lighten the product without removing strength.
These dome pistons offer lateral gas porting to improve the top ring combustion seal and are available to fit most popular open chamber cylinder heads. Crawford also says the company can have a set in your hands two weeks after ordering on custom designs.
For more information on the new FSR BBC offerings, and JE’s complete lineup of pistons, check out their website.
