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Old 01-25-2020, 02:08 PM   #8
JANNETTYRACING

 
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Drives: BLUE CAMARO ZL1 1LE M6
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ON THE DYNO WATERBURY CT.
Posts: 15,218
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eldi Z View Post
Lots of threads discuss the issues related with the apparently (too) tight factory ring gaps on the stock top rings in the LT1.

Some measurements have been performed and it was found that not all factory gaps were equal (on the LT1), but usually pretty tight (relatively).

Apart from a few clear internal differences between the LT1 and LT4, I.E. Compression Ratios, Piston and Rod material, Intake Valves material, I found no mention of the LT4's typical ring gaps.

Does anyone have practical data / actual measurements of the ring gaps in the LT4 pistons?

This data might shed some more light on the issue of "Are tight ring gaps a likely and decisive! reason for piston failures under boost"

If LT4 ring gaps are proven similar to those in the LT1, then the likelihood of this factor being THE decisive one for failure, is lower than generally thought to hold true.

Yes, I am aware that material differences between the pistons of the LT4 and LT1 are also considered a factor (they are different!), but at least if it could be proven, that the ring gaps between these engines are similar, then this factor alone (namely the tight ring gaps), could be isolated as not necessarily being the MAIN reason for piston failures on LT1s.
After-all, the LT4 is a boosted application from the factory, while the LT1 is not.

Apology for the lengthy post, but thought that such discussion might benefit the community.
The argument that ring gaps are causing piston failures doesn't hold water IMO.

We have not had a single wimper from any of the LT engines we take from stock to well north of 750 RWHP on LT1 and 1000 RWHP on LT4 all stock long blocks.

If you remember the first Gen6 JRE Super Street Brawler we built back in early 2016, it made 742 RWHP customer drove that car very hard Daily for 3 years recently sold it to a guy in FL in perfect condition.

The buyer in FL took it to a local to him speed shop, they put meth on it and blew it up, SMH.

I got the phone call last week.
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