In a month or two, I'm going to go to a high comp piston and cam. I doubt I will get my head ported that soon due to money issues, but who knows.

I have heard of some people burning holes in there 102mm 11:1 JE pistons. Are the 12:1 102mm pistons good and reliable? Or am I better off getting a Ross? Also, I am not sure what comp ratio to go with. I am keeping the stock rod, and still plan on spraying 20 to 30 shot. I want to go with either the 12:1 JE or the 13.5:1 Ross. What are your guys' opinions on this? And where would be the best place to buy from?

Secondly, the CAM. Which one should I go with? And will I most definetly have to buy new valvesprings? I want a good drag race cam, but one that does not sacrifice ALL bottom end power.

Thanks

St.

 

Wallstreet- The best piston so far is the ROSS hands down. JE has made 2 running design changes and they still fall apart. There are a lot of good cam choices out there. Just depends on what you are looking for. If you do not plan on reving it out the stage 2 is a good choice. If you want to make power over 10k you have to go with a mega cycle (sparks) or a craycraft.

Unfourantly if you want to survive a ROD CHANGE is a must. You are playing with a time bomb on the stock rod. I run a stock rod in both of my raptors. I have even busted one and still replaced it with a stocker. Once you cross 50hp or race a lot you really need a rod. For 200 bucks you have a few choices for a chromemoly rod.

If you want to spray, the lower the better on the comp. If you are not going to spray all the time a 12.5 should be okay

 

A guy with a high compression piston in a yfz Stalled going threw the rocky terrian and the GNCC race in PA. The battery in the yfz just couldent hold up to the new compression. But i guess it was his fualt he stalled it... Now i see you have a raptor lol. Ross has the best Piston and get a new rod you will be ahppy and reliable

 

After seeing the Ross and the JE side by side you can deffinately tell the Ross is a better design, hands down! If you don't mind tuning the N2O very carefully the higher comp might be ok. But the lower ratio would be better as far as reliability goes, not to mention if you ever want to go to a larger shot it will make it that much more easy.
All things considered the stage2 is a GREAT cam! The other cams might require some additional work to the head, I know the Craycraft cam does.
Valve springs are a must unless you get a stage 1. I wouldn't go that route personally. If you can't afford the springs at the time I would just wait untill I could. JMO
I have a stock rod in mine and it bothers me. That will be the next thing I fix, but trying to save money for it is about as easy as getting wine from water.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]
I buy all my stuff from Craycraft because I haven't found anybody to compare with them. His prices are right on target too.

 

If your going to use NOS I would change the rod and have the crank welded, install a 102mm 11:1 Ross, with a Stage 2 cam and valve springs. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]


The Ross piston has a awesome design. I should have taken some pic's before I put it in, but it's a really good piston. I'm actually thinking about bumping up to the 13.5:1 Ross after Aledo, but I'm only about 90% sure right now. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I am still planning on spraying, but I race a very considerable amount off the bottle, more than on, actually. I do want to get a new rod, but I really do not want to have to split the cases, balance the crank, etc. If it turns out that I have to get a new rod, I may wait and go to a medium comp. Ross (11:1 or so) 105mm piston and resleeve, with a stage 2 cam and springs. I am going to be working quite a bit this summer, so time will tell what mods are within reach. How much does Craycraft charge to mod the stock carbs? I really do not want to have to get FCRs. Anyway, I guess I will quit wasting your guys' time and get back to sackin' some groceries! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

That's what I would do. And they have a new cam thier trying out that sounds like it's going to be a winner.
The Ross looks like twice the piston also.

 

Who has a new cam?

 

Craycraft has a custom grind of their own and so far it sounds like it's working great.

 

I am going to end up having to save up A LOT of money for this. Let's see:

Mod carbs-$200
Piston-$180
Sleeve-$150
Cam-$150
Springs-$150
Porting-$400
Rod-$200
Labor-$A lot

Crap, hopefully I'll get 'er done!