I was thinking that .005 would pretty much be the normal area with flat tops without modifications?

 

I don't think you can assume that. It's going to really depend on the pistons you're using and where your starting point is as far as cylinder deck height relative to the connecting rod.

Example - I'm installing Wiseco 10.5:1 pistons in my 107" build. They are .0065" taller than the stock pistons from wrist pin to top surface. Interestingly enough the stock ones were .006/.007 in the hole front/rear respectively. Guess what? Near instant zero deck without doing any milling. Sometimes I actually win one... but not usually. Not sure if that was a planned thing by Wiseco or a coincedence.

I guess the point is if you're trying to get everything out of your build, don't make assumptions. Measure everything and understand what you've got. Set it up optimally the first time. Why not? It's not really any harder to do than just blindly assembling and hoping it's all good.

 

Never really thought of it that way in relation to wrist pin > piston top. I have SE 103" flat tops and was basing my guesstimation on those specific pistons and prior results. Great point...