Who makes the best piston ring?

Who makes the best piston ring?

According to Google search results, the Total Seal brand comes highly recommended for producing the best piston rings. Their patented Gapless® Piston Rings are particularly noted for increasing horsepower and torque, and reducing blow-by in high-compression and high-performance engines. A close contender is the JE Pistons Pro Seal series, which offers superior strength and durability, catering to both performance enthusiasts and professional racers.

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Originally Posted by R 70 Judge

IA2 Block / 4.35 Bore / Ross Custom dish

I received a set of Total Seal rings (CR6490 35) with my rotating assembly but it is not a true gapless ring so I'm switching to something different.

Anyone have experience with the C&A ZGS ring set, or want to recommend another high-quality gapless ring set?

Top Recommendations for Piston Rings

Childs & Albert ZGS

For those seeking value under $400, the Childs & Albert ZGS (zero gap second) ring set comes highly recommended. These have been successfully used in numerous SBC & BBC engines and have shown excellent results.

Speed Pro File Fit Rings

Another personal favorite is the Speed Pro file fit rings. Not only are they less expensive compared to zero gaps, but they also perform exceptionally well. In many cases, they provide better performance.

Hastings Rings

Hastings rings are also popular, especially in the workshop settings where alcohol and supercharged applications are considered. The zero gap rings are particularly beneficial for such specialized applications.

Jeff Smith's Expert Insights

Ask Away! with Jeff Smith: Picking the Best Piston Rings

For a good but not expensive small block Chevy street engine running normal pump gas compression and with some mild performance upgrades, what would be the best piston rings to choose? I'm running a set of forged pistons but not sure about the rings. There are cast rings, steel, moly, and those really expensive racing rings. Which one is the best? Which would be the best to choose for my engine? Thanks

D.P.

This is a question that has increasing relevance in today’s engine market. Beyond just the material for the rings, several other variables need consideration. Since you already have the pistons, the ring thickness question has already been answered as you will need to use the rings designed for the pistons you already have.

Piston Ring Thickness and Comparison

The most common thickness for most performance pistons is 1/16 inch for the top and second rings with a 3/16 inch oil ring. Later model engines like the GM LS use a much thinner ring package with 1.5mm top, 1.5 mm second, and a 3.0mm oil ring. Thinner rings provide better sealing, produce less friction, and last longer than thicker rings, primarily due to reduced friction.

Piston Ring Material Comparison

Different materials have unique benefits and disadvantages. For the top and second rings, cast iron is the least expensive but is brittle and does not seal high cylinder pressures well. Ductile iron, with more than double the tensile strength of cast iron, offers substantial improvement in durability. A set of ductile iron Hastings Rings can be found for under $30.

Importance of Steel Rings

Steel rings offer significantly more durability and better withstand cylinder pressure abuse. Moly-coated steel rings provide improved sealing but may flake off under detonation.

Advanced Technologies

Gas Nitriding and PVD Coatings

A gas nitriding process applied on steel rings improves their ability to withstand high cylinder pressures and maintain a decent seal. This process is widely accepted and now used in many production engines.

PVD coatings using materials like titanium or zirconium are more expensive and generally used for competition engines or high-end street engines. Combining a thin ring package with a PVD coating can be costly but provides exceptional performance.

Gas Ported Piston Rings

Total Seal has introduced lateral gas port top rings which direct cylinder pressure behind the top ring to force it into the cylinder wall, significantly improving cylinder pressure sealing without being blocked by carbon buildup as vertical gas ports do.

Specialty Oil Rings

High-quality ring packages now include a Napier ring for better oil scraping off the cylinder wall, enhancing overall performance.

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Summit Racing’s GPX ring package offers a combination of a steel, gas nitrided top ring, a ductile iron second ring, and selectable oil rings based on tension. It’s a reasonable option for performance engines, providing excellent power gains and longevity.

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This overview of various piston ring options should help you make a well-informed decision for your small block engine build.

For more Piston Ring Manufacturers information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.