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455 Pistons
Pontiac V8 455 Pistons
Where the Cubic Inches Get Paid For — 455 Pistons for Pontiac V8s
The 455 is the biggest factory Pontiac V8, and the piston is what decides whether it comes back as a torque-heavy street engine on pump gas or a 500-plus horsepower stroker. Bore, crown volume, compression height and cylinder head chamber all have to land together — the 455 piston is where those four meet.
Butler stocks this category deep: Butler Ross Quick Ship forged flat tops and dish tops, Icon forged 2618, DSS FX series forged, and Keith Black hypereutectic cast, in standard bore and .030", .040" and .060" over, plus fully custom Ross and DSS sets.
Browse 455 Pistons Products
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-4.3cc Flat Top
4.185" Bore (+.060")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-942-KTD-060-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-16.8cc Dish
4.190" Bore (+.065")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-943-KTD-065-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-4.3cc Flat Top
4.190" Bore (+.065")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-942-065.KTD-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-16.8cc Dish
4.195" Bore (+.070")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-943-KTD-070-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-4.3cc Flat Top
4.195" Bore (+.070")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-942-KTD-070-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-16.8cc Dish
4.200" Bore (+.075")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-943-KTD-075-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-4.3cc Flat Top
4.200" Bore (+.075")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-942-KTD-075-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-16.8cc Dish
4.210" Bore (+.085")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-943-KTD-085-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon Forged Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 488-495 Stroker
-4.3cc Flat Top
4.210" Bore (+.085")
4.500" Stroke
1.275" Compression Height
1/16, 1/16, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-IC-942-KTD-085-8
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,009.18
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, dish (-15cc), .030" Over. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-889-030-8
Condition:
New
Price: $793.48
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, dish (-15cc), .040" Over. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-889-040-8
Condition:
New
Price: $793.48
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, dish (-15cc), .060" Over. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-889-060-8
Condition:
New
Price: $793.48
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, dish (-15cc), Standard Bore. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-889-STD-8
Condition:
New
Price: $793.48
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, flat top (-5.5cc), .030" Over. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-888-030-8
Condition:
New
Price: $675.33
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, flat top (-5.5cc), .040" Over. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-888-040-8
Condition:
New
Price: $675.33
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, flat top (-5.5cc), .060" Over. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-888-060-8
Condition:
New
Price: $675.33
Description: Icon (UEM) forged Pontiac pistons — Pontiac 455, flat top (-5.5cc), Standard Bore. Forged 2618 aluminum, strong enough for power adders, complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-IC-888-STD-8
Condition:
New
Price: $675.33
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
-30.5cc Dish
4.180" Bore (+.030")
4.210" Stroke
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-KB371KTM-030
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $603.72
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
0cc Dome
4.180" Bore (+.030")
4.210" Stroke
1.490" Compression Height
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16 Ring Set...More Details »
Item #: UEM-KB347KTM-030
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $617.04
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
-6cc Flat Top
4.181" Bore (+.030")
4.210" Stroke
1.490" Compression Height
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16...More Details »
Item #: UEM-KB222-KTM-030
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $591.49
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
-30.5cc Dish
4.190" Bore (+.040")
4.210" Stroke
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-KB371KTM-040
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $603.72
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
0cc Dome
4.190" Bore (+.040")
4.210" Stroke
1.490" Compression Height
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16 Ring Set...More Details »
Item #: UEM-KB347KTM-040
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $617.04
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
-6cc Flat Top
4.191" Bore (+.040")
4.210" Stroke
1.490" Compression Height
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16...More Details »
Item #: UEM-KB222-KTM-040
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $591.49
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
-30.5cc Dish
4.210" Bore (+.060")
4.210" Stroke
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16 Ring Set Included
Item #: UEM-KB371KTM-060
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $603.72
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
0cc Dome
4.210" Bore (+.060")
4.210" Stroke
1.490" Compression Height
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16 Ring Set...More Details »
Item #: UEM-KB347KTM-060
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $617.04
Description: Keith Black Hypereutectic Pistons with Rings — Set of 8
Pontiac 455
-6cc Flat Top
4.211" Bore (+.060")
4.210" Stroke
1.490" Compression Height
.980" Pins Included
5/64, 5/64, 3/16...More Details »
Item #: UEM-KB222-KTM-060
Condition:
New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $591.49
Description: Keith Black (UEM) hypereutectic cast pistons for Pontiac 455 — dish (5cc), .030" Over. A great-value cast piston for stock-to-street rebuilds. Complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-KB371-030
Condition:
New
Price: $476.68
Description: Keith Black (UEM) hypereutectic cast pistons for Pontiac 455 — dish (5cc), .060" Over. A great-value cast piston for stock-to-street rebuilds. Complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-KB371-060
Condition:
New
Price: $476.68
Description: Keith Black (UEM) hypereutectic cast pistons for Pontiac 455 — dome (0cc), .030" Over. A great-value cast piston for stock-to-street rebuilds. Complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-KB347-030
Condition:
New
Price: $489.98
Description: Keith Black (UEM) hypereutectic cast pistons for Pontiac 455 — flat (-6cc), .030" Over. A great-value cast piston for stock-to-street rebuilds. Complete set of 8.
Item #: UEM-KB222-030
Condition:
New
Price: $464.43
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More About 455 Pistons
1. Start with the finished bore
Nothing on this page matters until you know what the block actually measures. The 455 is catalogued from standard through .060" over, and the bore numbers here are specific.
| Overbore sets | Icon and Keith Black both catalogue in standard, .030", .040" and .060" over. On the Keith Black and Icon lines that works out to a 4.180" bore at .030", 4.190" at .040" and 4.210" at .060". |
| Butler Ross Quick Ship bores | The Ross sets Butler stocks as Quick Ship are cut at 4.160", 4.181", 4.191" and 4.211", which lets you match a specific finished hone size rather than a nominal overbore step. |
| Measure after honing | Order the piston to the bore you have, and if the block has not been cut yet, talk to whoever is doing the machine work before you buy. Pistons ordered against an intended bore are the most common return we do not accept — custom pistons are not returnable. |
2. Hypereutectic cast or forged
Both belong in a 455, just not in the same 455. This is the first real fork.
| Keith Black hypereutectic | A high-silicon 390 alloy with 16 percent silicon, diamond-machined skirt, spiral lock rings, and press-fit or bushed pin capability. Butler's own copy calls it a great-value cast piston for stock-to-street rebuilds — it runs tight, runs quiet, and costs less than forged. |
| Icon forged | 2618 forged aluminum with a diamond-machined skirt, head, mini-grooves, pin bore, gas accumulator and ring grooves, pressure-drilled pin hole oiling, and a V-rib design for light weight and piston cooling. Butler notes the Icon forging is much lighter than the old Federal Mogul/TRW piston, and the pin is lighter too. |
| DSS FX series | 2618 alloy with two large valve reliefs, a full floating pin with double True Arc pin locks, and the patented X Groove skirt. |
| Ross | Butler's house forged piston for the 455, stocked as Quick Ship sets in flat top and dish and available fully custom in any bore, stroke and crown. |
3. Crown shape and what it does to compression
Crown volume is the compression adjuster. Butler's product data gives the actual ratios per chamber size, and the spread is large.
| Flat top | Icon's flat top carries a -5.5cc valve pocket. Against a 71cc chamber that is 12.1:1, against 87cc it is 10.3:1, and against 96cc it is 9.6:1. Keith Black's flat top is -6cc and is designed for 14-degree heads, 1967 and later. |
| Dish | Icon's D-shaped dish is -15cc, which lands at 11.0:1 on a 71cc chamber, 9.5:1 on 87cc and 8.9:1 on 96cc. Keith Black's deep -30.5cc dish is designed for 14-degree and 20-degree heads and is the one for a low-compression pump gas build. |
| Dome | Keith Black's dome is 0cc effective with a .265" dome height, designed for 14-degree heads, 1967 and later. |
| Dish range on the Ross sets | The Butler Ross Quick Ship dish tops are catalogued across a 16 to 42cc dish range, which is how you dial a specific compression target against a known chamber. |
4. Stroke, compression height and rod length
On a 455 the stroke is rarely stock for long. The piston has to change with it, and the numbers here are not interchangeable.
| 4.210" stroke | The factory 455 stroke. DSS lists 1.480" compression height, .980" pins and a 6.625" rod length for this one. Icon's 4.210" data gives 1.490" compression height on a 6.630" rod with a .9805" pin against a 10.250" OE deck height. |
| 4.250" stroke | DSS drops to 1.285" compression height, .990" pins and a 6.800" rod length. Butler stocks Ross Quick Ship sets at this stroke in four bores. |
| 4.500" stroke | DSS goes to 1.160" compression height, .990" pins and 6.800" rods. This is deep-stroker territory and the piston is a different part, not a variation. |
| Order the assembly together | Crank stroke, rod length and compression height are one equation. Buying them separately over months is how people end up with pistons out of the hole. |
5. Which heads are you running
This is the section that saves engines, and it is the one most often skipped.
| DSS FX 455 pistons | Butler's copy states these fit late model and Edelbrock Pontiac heads only. If you are running early heads, this is not your piston. |
| Icon | The Icon notes specify a centered pin and use with OE or Edelbrock style heads. |
| Keith Black | The flat top and dome are listed for 14-degree heads, 1967 and later; the deep dish is listed for 14-degree and 20-degree heads. |
| Chamber cc is the number to have | Every compression figure above is quoted against a chamber volume. Cc the heads or get the figure from the manufacturer before you choose a crown. |
6. Rings, pins and the clearance gotchas
Three things in Butler's own product copy that will bite a first-time 455 builder.
| Stock cast rods may need work | Both the Icon and DSS 4.210" stroke sets carry the same warning — stock cast rods may need to be narrowed and the balance pad removed to clear the inside of the pistons. |
| Keith Black ring gap | Keith Black hypereutectic pistons require a much wider top ring end gap than traditional forged pistons. The KB spec is .0065" per inch of bore for a street engine. Gap a KB piston like a forged one and you will pinch a ring. |
| Ring sizes differ by line | The Icon and DSS forged sets specify a 1/16", 1/16", 3/16" ring package, while the Keith Black sets call for 5/64", 1/16", 3/16". Order the rings to the piston. |
| Early 400 blocks with deep notches | Butler stocks Ross flat tops built with an offset ring support specifically for early 400 blocks with deep notches, and for nitrous and boost applications, at 4.250" and 4.500" stroke on a 4.181" bore. |
| Pins and locks | Icon pistons come with pin locks so they can be used with bushed or press-fit rods. DSS ships full floating pins with double True Arc locks. |
7. Custom sets and the Butler Process
When the shelf does not have your combination, the custom route is the honest answer rather than the closest guess.
| Ross custom | Any bore, any stroke, flat, dish or dome, built to your combination as a set of eight. |
| DSS custom | 2618-T6 forging, dish or flat top, any stroke and up to a 4.200" bore, with your choice of rings and pins specified on the order. |
| Balancing | Every rotating assembly Butler sells, regardless of brand, is balanced in Butler's shop. Rods and pistons are weighed and pin fitted, the crank is computer balanced to the rest of the assembly, and a balance card with all the weights ships with it. |
Have four numbers ready before you order: finished bore, crank stroke, rod length and cylinder head chamber cc. With those four, picking a 455 piston takes one phone call instead of three.
Not sure what your Pontiac needs?
Email our tech team at tech@butlerperformance.com. Tell us your engine, heads, car, and power goal, and we will put the parts together as one combination that works.