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Piston ring suggestions

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13K views 18 replies 14 participants last post by  nastynate  
7
#1 ·
Looking for suggestions on the best piston ring's to use for a mostly street driven BBC with 1/16 top/second SRP forged piston.
 
S
#8 ·
For a street bbc Sealed Power/Perfect Circle PLASMA MOLY RINGS (std tension!!) are tough detonation resistant rings thats are great for a street or street/strip BBC or sbc motor.

Can't go wrong with them so chk price vs other rings types/mfg's & go from there.

I also dont think you need gapless rings for your street/strip application.

Scott
 
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E
#9 ·
Just about all of the performance rings on the market are basically manufactured by Mahle (Perfect Circle) and Hastings. Total Seal does some additional machining, coatings and other modifications (gapless). Pick the brand that suits you, based on quality and service.
Actually JE rings are a combination of Mahle/Perfect Circle and Hastings for their sets from 3.500" through 5.125". Sport Compact (auuuugh!) small bore may be NPR and other offshore product.
 
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B
#11 ·
I won't say not to, but the shop I worked at claimed they saw ZERO gain on the naturally aspirated engines that they built and dynoed. They are big into circle track racing and looking for small gains, so if they didn't feel they were worth it, it wasn't to me either.
 
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N
#12 ·
Any good experiences with the gapless rings in the forum.. I'am in the process of buying these gaplless 1st or 2nd style for bbc.. I feeling like in the long run, they would hold a better seal than conventional over time, would anyone agree?
 
#16 ·
First let me say I have been a WD for Total Seal for many years & in my opinion their support, customer service & products are second to none, great company to deal with.

That said I do not agree & never have agreed with a second gapless nor have I ever seen any kind of gain using them.

My opinion,,,
Gapless second rings are good for one thing
It will make me a hero on a leak down test :D

Repeat after me
The second ring is not a compression ring it is an oil control ring
The second ring is not a compression ring it is an oil control ring

I have only limited experience with the top gapless but it may be worth a slight gain in some applications.
Just do not expect anything like the ads imply unless you are some pretty serious gaps &/or you like to do dyno pulls cold

If you have a normally aspirated gap there is very little gap at running temps, maybe a few thou at most
And even if you had say 10 thou hot what percentage of the over a foot of sealing the ring is doing is this?
How much leakage do you think can pass here given the speed the piston is moving?
 
F
#13 ·
I ran one set years ago, other than the pain in my wallet I didn't see any significant difference. I would think in a high compression engine with gas ported pistons, low tension rings and pulling some good vacuum they would really shine. But on a street car, I wouldn't see the cost/reward behind it. I have total seal file fit on mine now and it's mostly a bracket car. If I remember right they are gapped .022 top and .024 second
 
#18 ·
This would be a place where I can see the top gapless being a good thing
 
#17 ·
Basic SRP/JE rings work great. I also used a set of Howards rings once in my 540 that came out of the box in Mahle bags. Cost like $89 and worked perfectly.

JIM
 
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