421 Pistons

Pontiac V8 421 Pistons

Big Journal, Small Bore — 421 Pistons for Pontiac V8s

421 Pistons are their own problem. The 421 uses the big 3.25" main journal block but a smaller standard bore than a 428 or 455, so a 4.150" piston is already .057" over on a 421. That single number changes which sets fit, how much cylinder wall you have left and what compression ratio you can chase.

Butler covers the 421 almost entirely with Ross Racing Pistons built on the Pontiac forging Ross developed for Butler, including Quick Ship flat tops and CNC milled dish tops, plus fully custom 421 pistons for 4.000", 4.210" and 4.250" strokes.

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Items 1-30 of 33
Description: Quick Ship from Butler Ross Racing Pistons 4.250 Stroke 1.295Ch 4.150 Bore (.057" over 421) 1/16 1/16 3/16 Ring Size Pins and rings not included
Item #: ROS-BU4254150-8
Condition: New
Price: $749.95


Description: Quick Ship from Butler Ross Racing Pistons 4.250 Stroke 1.295Ch 4.150 Bore (.057" over 421) 1/16 1/16 3/16 Ring Size Pins and rings not included
Item #: ROS-BU4254150-8
Condition: New
Price: $749.95


Description: Quick Ship from Butler Ross Racing Pistons Custom Dish CC CNC Milled at Butler 4.250 Stroke 1.295Ch 4.150 Bore (.057" over 421) 1/16 1/16 3/16 Ring Size Pins Included Rings not included
Item #: ROS-BU4254150-DS-8
Condition: New
Price: $949.95


Description: Quick Ship from Butler Ross Racing Pistons Custom Dish CC CNC Milled at Butler 4.250 Stroke 1.295Ch 4.150 Bore (.057" over 421) 1/16 1/16 3/16 Ring Size Pins Included Rings not included
Item #: ROS-BU4254150-DS-8
Condition: New
Price: $949.95


Description: Fully Custom Diamond Pistons Made with 2618 - T6 forging Choose Dish, Dome, or Flat Top Any Stroke or Bore Choose rings, pins, and more Enter specs and details to help us customize it Our...More Details »
Item #: DIA-CUSTOM
Condition: New
Ships in 14-16 weeks
Price: $1,429.00


Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.094" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6114-4094
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

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Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.094" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6112-4094
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

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Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.120" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6114-4120
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

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Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.120" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6112-4120
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

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Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.125" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6114-4125
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

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Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.125" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6112-4125
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

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Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.150" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6114-4150
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

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Description: DSS 1-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.150" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 4032 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K1-6112-4150
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,029.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.094" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6114-4094
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

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Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.094" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6112-4094
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.120" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6114-4120
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.120" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6112-4120
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.125" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6114-4125
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.125" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6112-4125
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.150" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6114-4150
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 2-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.150" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 forging...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K2-6112-4150
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,069.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.094" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6114-4094
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

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Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.094" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6112-4094
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.120" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6114-4120
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.120" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6112-4120
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.125" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6114-4125
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.125" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6112-4125
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -14cc Dish Top 4.150" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6114-4150
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

Qty:

Description: DSS 3-FX Series Forged Pistons — Set of 8 -7cc Flat Top 4.150" Bore / 4.000" Stroke 1.585" Compression Height 0.98" Pins Included 1.2 / 1.2 / 3.0mm DSS Ring Set Included 2618 with...More Details »
Item #: DSS-K3-6112-4150
Condition: New
Ships in 7-10 Business Days
Price: $1,259.95

Qty:

Description: Fully Custom DSS Pistons Made with 2618 - T6 forging Choose Dish or Flat Top Any Stroke and up to 4.200 Bore Choose rings, pins, and more Enter specs and details to help us customize it Our experts...More Details »
Item #: DSS-CUSTOM
Condition: New
Ships in 3-4 weeks
Price: $1,399.00


Items 1-30 of 33


More About 421 Pistons

1. Know how far over you really are

The 421 catches people out because it shares a block family with the 428 and 455 but not their bore.

4.150" boreButler lists this as .057" over on a 421. On a 400 the same number is a .030" overbore. Sonic test the block before you commit to it.
4.200" boreThe upper end Butler shows on 421 piston data, and only worth chasing on a block that measures out with enough wall thickness to support it.
Custom boresRoss will build a 421 piston to whatever bore the block finishes at, which is the usual answer when a 421 has already been cut once.

2. Stroke and compression height on a 421

Butler lists three custom Ross 421 combinations, and each one changes the compression height you need.

4.000" stroke1.595" compression height using a 6.625" rod, on a 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 ring pack.
4.210" stroke1.495" compression height.
4.250" stroke1.295" compression height, which is also the height Butler's Quick Ship 421 pistons are built at.

3. Quick Ship flat tops and Butler milled dishes

-8cc flat topButler Ross Quick Ship in a 4.250" stroke, 4.150" bore, 1.295" compression height, 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 rings. Pins and rings are not included on this one.
CNC milled dishThe Quick Ship dish pistons arrive at Butler as a thick flat top forging and get finished on a five-axis CNC mill to the dish volume your combination needs. Pins are included, rings are not.
Real numbersWith an 87cc chamber, Butler shows the milled dish landing around 9.27:1 at -18cc, 9.13:1 at -20cc and 8.99:1 at -22cc. That is how you dial a 421 into pump gas territory instead of guessing.
Compression ceilingButler recommends no more than 9.5:1 on cast iron heads and no more than 10.5:1 on aluminum heads for pump gas.

A 421 is worth building carefully. Measure the block, decide the stroke, tell Butler the chamber volume and the compression ratio you want, and the piston can be finished to hit it rather than settled for.

Not sure what your Pontiac needs?

Call our tech team at 866-762-7527. Tell us your engine, heads, car, and power goal, and we will put the parts together as one combination that works.