I already have a machined 440 + .040" block from a previous plan to build a 496 stroker, so I've been for a deal on a set of .040" o.s. stock-stroke pistons. Yesterday I received a new set of "too cheap to pass up" eBay KB forged #822-40(4.360") pistons and figured I'd offer my comments on them vs. the Ross pistons I was also considering.

FWIW, Ross' stocking flat-top pistons were my fallback option because I've had good results w/ them in the past, they're "mid range" priced (way less than JE or CP, less than Diamond, more than JE/SRP or KB) and I'like the quality of their machine work.

However, I started checking out the KB forged line recently and thought they were a good option, regardless of the price difference. Naturally, these are my "unprofessional" opinions since I don't do this for a living, so take them for what they're worth.

Weight - Ross has approx. a 25+ gram advantage (including the pin) w/ the KBs being advertised as 827 gram. The KBs aren't "pigs", but they could have save some additional weight during their finishing process.

Skirt design - I like the KB "slipper skirt" better than the wrap-around style the Ross has. With the long 2"+ compression height of a stock-stroke 440, I don't see why a wrap-around design is needed. Plus, the KB has more "meat" in the skirts where the piston is actually loaded against the cylinder walls.

Skirt finish - Ross wins w/ a nice smooth machined finish which I prefer over the ribbed surface of the KB. I also find it interesting how the KB's "ribs" don't run perfectly concentric around the piston (which JE's surface finish does) and are actually cut at a slight angle during the process.

Dome - Well, not actually a "dome" since these are flat-top pistons. The way the KB's valve reliefs are machined into the top of the piston appeals to me more, since it has a nice transition between the intake & exhaust pockets that closely matches the chamber shape of the Victor heads these pistons will be used with. The Ross are basic "cutter" style pockets and do probably save about .5 cc in volume.

Other features - Both have the fairly common "pressure relief" grooves between the 1st and 2nd rings and both locate the top ring approx. .250" down from the top of the piston. The KB has these "anti detonation" grooves machined above the top ring land which I've seen on some Wiseco and JE pistons, too. I read the theory on what they're supposed to do and figure they probably don't do anything "bad", even if they don't really do anything at all. Considering the KB doesn't come w/ the little pin circlip cut-outs machined and the Ross does, call this category a draw.

So, "Captain Budget!" has added a set of eBay-sourced pistons to go w/ the "factory blem" Eagle crank I found on RacingJunk.com and the a set of K1 rods I just got from Dan at Performance Only Racing. Stay tuned...