C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

piston rings

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Old 03-10-2009, 06:47 PM
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chadihrig121
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Default piston rings

Whats the differance in rings measured in inches such as 5/16 compared to rings measured in mm such a 2.00 mm rings.

do I have to get a certain type for my ltx build up? i know they have to match my pistons obviously.

thanks
Old 03-10-2009, 07:11 PM
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"swamp rat"
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Originally Posted by chadihrig121
Whats the differance in rings measured in inches such as 5/16 compared to rings measured in mm such a 2.00 mm rings.

do I have to get a certain type for my ltx build up? i know they have to match my pistons obviously.

thanks
5/16 Is .312, 2mm, is .07872 don't know if that will help?
Old 03-10-2009, 07:16 PM
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JAKE
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Some have moved to 2 mm rings basically because they're slightly lighter and thus, resist ring flutter better at high RPMs.

For me, the thinnest I'd go with on a street engine is 5/16" and on racing applications, 1/16".

It's my feeling that the thinner rings compromise ring sealing in a daily driver. But that's just me.

Jake
Old 03-10-2009, 08:36 PM
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JAKE
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Whatever you decide, do not - let me repeat; Do Not - select a low tension oil ring set.

On a street engine they do not control oil well enough to prevent excessive oil use. The best oil ring package I've found is the SS50U package.

I also recommend in steering clear of the latest whiz-bang ring sets, including gapless versions and double molys.

It use to be recommended that the 2nd ring gap be set tighter than the top compression ring, however, latest results show the opposite. The 2nd ring should now be set at a wider gap than the top ring to maintain ring seal at high RPMs.

I called both the piston company and the ring company to verify this because I was reluctant to change from what I'd been doing for so many years.

I'm a Speed Pro guy.

These are just my views.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!
Old 03-10-2009, 09:20 PM
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5abivt
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Originally Posted by JAKE
Whatever you decide, do not - let me repeat; Do Not - select a low tension oil ring set.

On a street engine they do not control oil well enough to prevent excessive oil use. The best oil ring package I've found is the SS50U package.

I also recommend in steering clear of the latest whiz-bang ring sets, including gapless versions and double molys.

It use to be recommended that the 2nd ring gap be set tighter than the top compression ring, however, latest results show the opposite. The 2nd ring should now be set at a wider gap than the top ring to maintain ring seal at high RPMs.

I called both the piston company and the ring company to verify this because I was reluctant to change from what I'd been doing for so many years.

I'm a Speed Pro guy.

These are just my views.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!


My builder used low tension rings and paired with me spinning it to 8000 rpm i was going through litres every week.

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