[asphaltgambler]

So a few answers based on my experience. I would recommend the KB Hyper "U's" for performance street use as they offer very good fit (tight) and low drag and are available in many different comp ratios. I have personally never seen a KB piston failure in a HD motor unless something else was introduced that was not in the proper 'mix'. IE: poor assembly, poor machining and or not closely checking clearances, detonation, nitrous and or over RPM-ing the motor.

Forged pistons are for all-out street and racing engines where extreme combustion temps, pressures and rpm's are encountered. The downside of running them in an mild street motor is noise, poor ring seal and increased oil consumption over lot's of miles.

As far as base gaskets ........................please run one but with light coat of Hylomar on each side. Those cylinders 'walk' around a lot on the case spigot. Cometic makes several good metal cylinder base gaskets. Hylomar applied very thinly on each side will maintain seal and never hardens but is almost impervious to gas and oil. It's the hot ticket.

You won't know what deck height you have until you have the new pistons installed.