Check out these threads on installing a Diamante motor or rebuilding with 10:1 CR pistons.

Diamantero is Finished!
JasonA's rebuild info and pictures (dial up beware)

I know Dough rebuilt his '93 LS with 10:1 pistons and I believe the power was good, but he kept exceeding the NOx limits when trying to pass emissions.

That rebuild didn't last me that long, rings never seated fully, so I don't know if I am a good example.

I don't think the extra power justifies the extra cost of hi test gas.

Lee -

I was suggesting that CR increase alone (stock heads) would not account for the HP increase. It takes valve/port/cam work to make those numbers, which the stock Diamonte heads can provide, but I don't know if the cams are the best choice for our trucks in the environment most operate. The Diamonte heads would give a nice increase in the upper rpms, but at the expense of low-end torque - just how much it would give up on the bottom, I don't know.... the result might be acceptable... or not... in off-road/big tire circumstances.

I'd hate to go too far on the cams and find the result was no low-end torque - or worse yet, an off-idle bog or power surge following a bog. I over-built a SBC like that once - it was great on the top, but when you put your foot in it off-idle, it felt like a N/A diesel turtle for a while.

The Diamonte heads/pistons may very well be a good compromise, but before I made the swap I'd want to drive one with at least 31" tires on it and a load in back.

It might be interesting to use the 24V heads with a stroker crank and a blower if the CR could be just under 9.0:1.

Frank