03-04 pistons in a 2004.5 engine?

2

24VChevy

Ram-Bow
Joined
Jul 3, 2006
Messages
724
Has anyone tried using 03-04 pistions and injector combo in a 2004.5 and newer motor? Keep in mind we want to keep the fueling of the 2004.5 and newer ECM. Seems like the older pistons are more durable.

Malcolm
 
24VChevy said:
Has anyone tried using 03-04 pistions and injector combo in a 2004.5 and newer motor? Keep in mind we want to keep the fueling of the 2004.5 and newer ECM. Seems like the older pistons are more durable.

Malcolm
Click to expand...

Yep, we had timing issues with because we tried the 04 and newer inj. We put the 03-04 injectors in it and ran fairly well. It went 115000 miles and drop a valve seat.
 
you have to run the 03-04 pistons with the 03-04 tips. and 04.5-07 pistons with 04.5-07 tips.


'03-04 - 143° - green
'04.5-07 - 124° - red

04.5 piston that had both 03-04 and 04.5-07 tips ran on it.
19243_318947500912_506865912_4068565_210459_n.jpg
 
Yes that is the combo I am talking about the 03-04 pistions with the 03-04 injectors with the 2004.5-07 ecm for the fueling.

I ran the 03-04 injector with the 2004.5+ pistion and it worked well but the pistions seem to be weaker and like to split down the middle.

Malcolm
 
prob becasue the injector was spraying to wide, to much heat in the middle of the piston causing it to crack. u have to use whatever injector u are using piston.

03-04 pistons- 03-04 injectors
04.5-07 pistons-04.5-07 injectors

Im running 03-04 psitons and injectors with my 06 ecm, so far the motor a been stout.
 
SKYNYRD said:
you have to run the 03-04 pistons with the 03-04 tips. and 04.5-07 pistons with 04.5-07 tips.


'03-04 - 143° - green
'04.5-07 - 124° - red

04.5 piston that had both 03-04 and 04.5-07 tips ran on it.
19243_318947500912_506865912_4068565_210459_n.jpg
Click to expand...


I notice the melting around the outside edge of the crown.. That must be what they look like right before they die. :)
 
possibly a blown headgasket right there. thats exactly where my pistons was melted on number 1 when I blew my eadgasket right there, the heat escaped across tat side ofthe piston and decided it wanted to take some piston with it..lol
 
I'm running 03 style pistons and injectors with an 04.5 ECM.

I ran a recovery program to run the 03 programming, but I'd have to rewire the TPS and ECT circuits to make it work.

for now I'm running 04.5 programming. The truck makes good power, and gets 18mpg. I don't have any complaints with the setup.

-jp
 
jlibert said:
I'm running 03 style pistons and injectors with an 04.5 ECM.

I ran a recovery program to run the 03 programming, but I'd have to rewire the TPS and ECT circuits to make it work.

for now I'm running 04.5 programming. The truck makes good power, and gets 18mpg. I don't have any complaints with the setup.

-jp
Click to expand...

Im curious, did you notice any power gain / loss with this change in piston / Injs.???

Or did you change other things when you built it?

I just wonder is there is an advantage to either setup, HP wise.....

Thanks
 
outlaw99 said:
possibly a blown headgasket right there.
Click to expand...

I agree. If you notice that the melted marks don't line up with either of the injector spray patterns. The melted marks do match up with the "clover leaf" design of the MLS gasket. The MLS gaskets seem to fail in a sneaky sort of way.

Malcom, which cylinder did you crack the piston in?

Paul
 
I have cracked #4 and #5 both different motors BUT always with the 2004.5 pistion. I have also split cylinder walls #6 twice.
 
Anybody else done this? I might be contemplating it also, want to make sure noone has had any issues thusfar with 03 pistons and sticks and 04.5 ECM.
 
I havent had any bottem end problems with my swap. 03-04 pistons and sticks and 06 ecm.
 
not to mess with this thread but how much hp did you guys see from changing to the 04.5 up ecms and what all do you have to change
 
anyone use a 04.5 inject and cyl. with an 03 ecm?? that will be my combo if i cant get the motor to start with this 04.5 programing. this is a fordcummins conversion im doing and was told if the motor wont start i need to switch to the 03 programming to interact with the the ford stuff so i can keep my cruise.

no hijack intended.
 
outlaw99 said:
I havent had any bottem end problems with my swap. 03-04 pistons and sticks and 06 ecm.
Click to expand...

I am new at this, bear with me.
When changing to 03-04 pistons, Do I use my injectors
2.5 and just have tips changed.
Since I will need to buy new pistons, Would it be better
to buy Marine or stock 03. I don't care about cost.
My truck is 05.
 
The marine pistons don't cost much more. They are just hard to get quickly.
 
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