zero gap rings July 15, 2007, 09:25:59 AM what do you think? are they worth the extra money? i know the svo at the shop has them.it makes 350 hp but i still see 350 hp with regular rings. the reason i'm asking is cause the turbo motor is coming out soon to freshen up and i'm cloning the mods to the svo motor cept for the turbo. i'll be using the t3 off the svo. and it has a t3/04 hybrid. Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #1 – July 15, 2007, 09:33:23 AM No....don't use the gapless rings in a turbo application.The SVO may have them, but don't use them.Total Seal doesn't recommend them any more for higher boost applications and my old motor in the '83 was killed because of gapless rings. Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #2 – July 15, 2007, 09:35:50 AM thank you chuck that was what i wanted to know> Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #3 – July 15, 2007, 10:05:33 AM how did the gapless rings kill your motor? Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #4 – July 15, 2007, 11:06:11 AM Quote from: dudeman351;160904how did the gapless rings kill your motor?yeah, like on my 3.8 , i checked the bore using a stock new ring positioned at the top, middle and bottom. A stock ring came up with .030 average. i got oversize rings and filed till all three positions were under .010. THis has been a while back but i believe i had to get metric for some odd reason,,dono why.i should've done the same to my 306 but the bores/pistons are already .040 and finding 040 over is expensive enough. Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #5 – July 15, 2007, 02:20:37 PM Quote from: Chuck W;160900No....don't use the gapless rings in a turbo application.The SVO may have them, but don't use them.Total Seal doesn't recommend them any more for higher boost applications and my old motor in the '83 was killed because of gapless rings.X2 heard horrer stories i used the e441k sealed power ring set Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #6 – July 15, 2007, 02:41:33 PM Quote from: dudeman351;160904how did the gapless rings kill your motor?They can't handle the boost and they will just shatter.Mine came out in 12-15 pieces....and took out the cylinder wall with them. Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #7 – July 15, 2007, 03:53:16 PM I suspect its a deal where the heat from the boost causes the rings to expand to the point of binding, and they dig into the cylinder wall and break... Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #8 – July 15, 2007, 10:56:44 PM Quote from: TurboCoupe50;160978I suspect its a deal where the heat from the boost causes the rings to expand to the point of binding, and they dig into the cylinder wall and break...that seems logical. I guess i gotta be careful with that 3.8 on the garage floor,, i know how much boost that thing can make:Dare gapless rings for the most part ok in a non turbo application? Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #9 – July 15, 2007, 11:35:20 PM I dunno - I used them in one rebuild and they would not seal and I blew-by about 1 qt of oil every 200 miles. I suppose they are OK if they seal up, but I don't think they are worth the extra money. Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #10 – July 15, 2007, 11:47:25 PM Most of the problems I've seen from oil use have resulted from improper installation (dipping pistons in oil, etc). Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #11 – July 16, 2007, 10:09:23 AM That's true, but are they worth the extra money? Do they really provide enough extra performance to warrant the more precise cylinder finish and cost? ( I was told I didn't have the cylinder finish they require - WTF? ) ( I would never dip a piston in oil ) Quote Selected
zero gap rings Reply #12 – July 16, 2007, 10:31:51 AM Quote from: TurboCoupe50;160978I suspect its a deal where the heat from the boost causes the rings to expand to the point of binding, and they dig into the cylinder wall and break...Yup Quote Selected