i've got one running 300bhp, pulsar T28 at 19psi and it has the standard mahle pistons but they have been ceramic coated. standard rods, but its got ARP bolts (and decomp plate).

its been running for about 4 - 5 years and 25-30k miles. the bottom end did have new shells etc during the turbo conversion though.

also running a supercharged silvertop at 230bhp (plus NOS), totally standard internals (apart from ARP rod bolts) which has been running for 5 years and 40k miles plus.

if/when the turbo engine goes pop i'll get forged pistons/rods but i'm a bit loathed to in case something else goes wrong i'll lose all those expensive parts - where i could just stick another blacktop bottom end in and have another few years out of it!

if you try running it with shit or no mapping, shit intercooler, and a generally poor setup it will go bang (even if you have forged pistons/rod)

if yours has high miles or heavy oil/fuel consumption its not worth doing either.