53RUSSELL

iTrader: (9)

looking to make around 700hp on 15lbs

yes i have read the Mag and my stock 5.3 had over 170k. My stock 5.3 had been boosted for over its 70k of its life on 12lbs.

More info on Ekerly rings.

I had total seal rings "plasma molly ring package" and they didn’t make it past 2k. The ring manufacture said the machine shop did finish the cylinder wall right. The truck had a lot of blow by. The oil would come up the dip stick if you idle the truck up past 1k. When i compression tested the motor the highest cylinder pressure was 165 and lowest 148 if I remember right. The truck was set up for 9 to 1. I wish I would of did a leak down test befor i took it part. I'm also think maybe they sold me gapless rings witch don't do well in ls with out a vacum pump. I order all parts as a package deal and didnt keep all boxes because i didn't put the motor together witch was dum of me. This why I asked what people were running for ring packages.

AKlowriderZ71

iTrader: (22)

For 15 psi, I'd probably stay with stock rings, and open up the gap a little bit.

I don't really have any advice on what ring gap to recommend though.

53RUSSELL

iTrader: (9)

Thanks

joeyc125

iTrader: (7)

On my 365, I gapped top at .024, second .026. My machinist wanted to go .029, .027. I said no, and it's working very well and has no more blowby then stock 50k mile 5.3 had.

53RUSSELL

iTrader: (9)

joeyc125 what rings are you running ?

smokeshow

iTrader: (16)

Haven't you trapped over 120 with that 5.3? You should have been close to 700 if not there already with your old setup.

joeyc125

iTrader: (7)

I am using the total seal steel ring set that comes with the racetech pistons

1slow01Z71

iTrader: (36)

Why did you gap your top ring smaller?

joeyc125

iTrader: (7)

There is a theory among some very reputable engine builders that say if you leave the second ring gap a hair wider then the top, it promotes better ring seal by letting pressure escape between the two rings. It's been tested for years, and it's only a minimal gain (10hp max?) but has no adverse effects. Jarrett actually told me about this trick. There is some info about it here and there on tech also.

joeyc125

iTrader: (7)

It also helps that my gaps are on the tighter side compared to others preference, but I'm also running e85 exclusively along with meth which cuts down on the heat seen by the rings, and 4032 low expansion pistons with the rings set down a touch farther which also helps them with the heat. Fwiw, .028 top, .026 is the spec used for a 4.000" bore by many builders, but they no doubt would rather be on the safe side for a customers build.