Thanks for the feedback and calculation efforts DarkRedemptor, they make sense. When I first did the multi-hole testing that had the tapered pistons, the results didn't completely make sense to me, but I think your explanation sounds right and fits those results too. So far, I have only done the low speed results, and feel fairly comfortable with those, but I am getting more convinced I will begin to see a different story once I do the pack testing. (soon, I promise!).

It seems most pistons, or at least different options for pistons made for a specific vehicle are the same thickness, so it isn't usually part of the tuning options. But a Tapered piston starts to change up the thickness variable. So I suspect this is where people would feel the difference... the amount of pack... and not in the "quicker rebound" as is typically marketed.

I'll see if I can do a thickness study too (just a simple one), but it will be a little more difficult for me to make a thinner piston than it is to drill out holes.