3.3 pistons for older looper heads?

**OMCFREAK** · 10-12-2014, 12:28 PM

I'm wondering if there are pistons that I can put in a 2002 3.3 looper DI engine that will allow using pre DI heads? I'm not sure on the compatibility of pistons.
Since I have a lot of 3.0 looper parts from 89, I'm also wondering what parts won't fit on the 2002 block. 89 adapter plate? The bottom of the blocks look the same at first glance. Changing to 3.0 rods a must? I have a set of those as well? Ignition parts from 89 fit? Got all this stuff to play with this winter. Thx in adavance.

**TMc** · 10-12-2014, 07:02 PM

You can get pistons from Dave Bush or Monty Racing you will have to run the 3 liter rods. It will work on the 89 adapter plate and the ignition will work also.

**SPANNA** · 10-19-2014, 03:53 AM

hi i have 3.3 with 2.7 heads they have had the radius recut to clear the piston crown.
early ignition system and hand made inlet manifold with 6 x 235 twin throat carbs
was built for ski racing .now have etce with the same treatment cheerstim

**powerabout** · 10-19-2014, 08:49 AM

Love to see a photo of that

**SPANNA** · 10-20-2014, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by powerabout

Love to see a photo of that

photos

**SPANNA** · 10-20-2014, 03:52 AM

i cooked this due to low water pressure so have fitted bobslwpu to lighting box now and am rebuilding power head
will try to take photos of etc carbie engine tomorrow

**OMCFREAK** · 10-23-2014, 07:10 PM

Thx for the info! Nice powerhead SPANNA!

**Instigator** · 10-24-2014, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by SPANNA

i cooked this due to low water pressure so have fitted bobslwpu to lighting box now and am rebuilding power head
will try to take photos of etc carbie engine tomorrow

Killer!
Leave it to you freagin ski racers

I've thought of a similar intake/induction set up. Afraid to think of how much $$$ I'd have in jets

Thanks for the pix's.

**baja200merk** · 10-24-2014, 06:14 AM

We took the advice of a few guys on here (Monty, Gary, Al) and cut the dome off the stock 3.3 DI pistons. Comes out to about .220 off the top of the piston to make it flat so we could run carb heads with short rod 3.3 pistons. We ran a very mild port and stock deck height with 130psi and tuned it so it was barely off 4-stroke. Motor ran great for a year till we put a small prop on it and turned it 8k. The short rod beat collapsed the piston skirts which allowed the piston to rock at TDC , hit the head pop a head gasket. Good thing it did because it was a couple passes away from the skirts breaking off completely. We threw it together with a bunch of used junk pistons and STD 800hour bores. If we kept it around 7k it would live forever.

Now we have the tune close and 6 new .020 wisecos sitting on the bench waiting to go in it. We are expecting the new pistons to hold up much better then the brand-new-used cast pistons but Monty Racing pistons are the way to go (long rod=less abuse on the skirts/bores). We will be switching to them as soon as fund$ allow.

He babys it

Originally Posted by Instigator

Killer!
Leave it to you freagin ski racers

I've thought of a similar intake/induction set up. Afraid to think of how much $$$ I'd have in jets

Thanks for the pix's.

Al says you can get it close then dial it in with 6 jets. In case that changes your plans

**Instigator** · 10-24-2014, 08:13 AM

[QUOTE=baja200merk;2697236

Al says you can get it close then dial it in with 6 jets. In case that changes your plans

[/QUOTE]

Read that and no it doesn't

I am ready to start the 3.3 repower on the Checkmate and see what happens w/mine. Hopefully with keeping the R's down, (and running Wiseco's) my skirts won't look like yours.

I ran the big rods in the last 3.3 and had zero issues but as you know, this project was all about being a garage motor and $1200. of pistons ends that in my book.

**baja200merk** · 10-24-2014, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by Instigator

Read that and no it doesn't

I am ready to start the 3.3 repower on the Checkmate and see what happens w/mine. Hopefully with keeping the R's down, (and running Wiseco's) my skirts won't look like yours.

I ran the big rods in the last 3.3 and had zero issues but as you know, this project was all about being a garage motor and $1200. of pistons ends that in my book.

gordon says the wisecos and under 7500 will be fine.

I but the bullet my long rod massaged 3.4 Etec is going together tomorrow. 1st one in the world built outside of Monty racing

**OMCFREAK** · 10-24-2014, 12:17 PM

If I use regular closed deck looper heads, what should i do with the hoses the come out of the exhaust chest?

**baja200merk** · 10-24-2014, 12:47 PM

Closed deck heads suck. Cut Open deck 3.0 809 or 2.7 490 are better

**powerabout** · 10-24-2014, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by baja200merk

gordon says the wisecos and under 7500 will be fine.

I but the bullet my long rod massaged 3.4 Etec is going together tomorrow. 1st one in the world built outside of Monty racing

Can you edit the ecm for more fuel and revs?