Gapless Top RingsThe Total Seal Gapless Top ring set uses a two-piece ring assembly in order to close the flow path through the ring gap. Like any other ring, each ring segment has a gap, and is filed to an end-clearance specification to prevent butting. The endgap specs on Total Seal's rings are wider than on conventional rings, since the rings will contain more heat and pressure. The wide clearance provides plenty of insurance against butting, while the rail segment closes the gap to ensure a gas seal. That theory makes sense to us, but would the dyno results bear it out?
We tore the 350 down for yet another re-ring to find out. In a couple of hours we had the engine back up on the dyno and it was showtime. The numbers didn't disappoint, with the engine now cracking the 450hp level and again showing a gain in power across the board. Impressive! Interestingly, volumetric efficiency was up across the board as well, indicating that the engine was taking in more air as a result of the ring change. Though it is often overlooked, ring-seal efficiency is just as relevant on the induction stroke as it is in holding gas pressure in the power stroke. The better the seal on the intake stroke, the stronger the pull on the air/fuel mixture entering the cylinder. Subsequent leakdown testing showed a marked improvement in cylinder leakage rate, essentially minimizing the leakage past the rings, though we still registered leakage as a result of the inadequate valve sealing. In other tests we have seen total recorded cylinder leakage of 1 percent with the Total Seal rings.
Peak hp: 451 hp @ 5,600 rpmPeak torque: 465 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpmAverage hp (3,000-6,000 rpm): 375 hpAverage torque (3,000-6,000 rpm): 440 lb-ftCranking compression: 185 psiAverage leakdown: 7 percentPeak volumetric efficiency: 96.4 percent
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Total Seal Inc
22642 N. 15th Ave.
Phoenix
AZ
85027
800-874-2753
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