theres a very small "smear" of aluminum on the edge of the piston. It is not near as bad as IKEG's photo. I can get pictures later. I think I am going to pick up the used set of LBZ rods and balance the assembly.
Is it worth deliping my pistons? Should I be concerned with the higher 17.5:1 compression ratio with my LLY pistons? I can get a new set of loaded MAHLE pistons for $800 but I believe these are factory replacement pistons that would still be at that 17.5:1?
yes, very much worth delipping.
something you need to consider is piston to wall clearance. If you stick with the pistons you have and have the block honed, your piston to wall clearance will probably be in the .004-5 range (thats typically where ive seen them). you open this up and you will burn more oil than normal as well as might get some rattling or tapping noises when cold from piston slap.
new pistons will shrink that up about .001-2ish (closer to 1 be my guess) but cast is better off around .0015-.002 as they dont really grow with heat like forged.
if you are going to buy new pistons, i would say to have the block bored .020 or .040 over and get your clearances back. a bore and hone vs just a hone is not much more.
Are the factory LLY pistons MAHLE? If I was to replace the one piston that hit the crank, would the MAHLE factory replacement be the answer?
i know 06-10 are, i dont know if 01-05 are.