I never built an engine before so I wouldn't have a clue about pistons. If you're building up and have the time to save I'd definitely get a set of vortecs. They're about as good as it gets for factory castings. If you're gonna put in new pistons you could probably get a dome piston or something and do a port and polish on those 882s and have some decent compression. and flow good. I read somewhere that those 882's were thin castings. or you could put flat tops or dished pistons in it with some good rods and a crank and add some forced induction or NOS. I understand what you mean by being on a budget. I scrounged, saved, and collected parts for about 6 months before I put it all together.