I was wondering what the stock ring gap is suppose to be on the 2.2 2200? I have heard that the ring lands break on the stock pistons from the ring gap too tight under higher horsepower loads. Is this true and if it is what should I gap my stock rings for on a forced induction set up?
This is true.... As for what you should gp them at, the piston manufacturer should give the recommended specs for different types of applications....
P&P Tuning
420.5whp / 359.8wtq
Could I just look into an aftermarket piston setting and gap my stock rings for their specs?
Crazy Clint wrote:Could I just look into an aftermarket piston setting and gap my stock rings for their specs?
I am not following you.... Why would you go through all that and not just put some good slugs in it?
P&P Tuning
420.5whp / 359.8wtq
stock pistons are usually cast and have less thermal expansion then an aftermarket forged pistons which are uaually either 2618 or 4032 aluminum. the 4032 doesnt expand as much as the 2618 so the gaps between those matereials witll differ also. ill use my neon for reference.......... i just built a stock bottom end 2 liter neon engine for my car a few months back and i set the wall clearance in the range of .0015-.002" now when im doing a performance build ill base the clearances off of a few things, horsepower goal/boost and piston material. most aftermarket pistons are 2618 and like i said above it has more expansion then the other materials out there and so ill set those gaps anywhere from .0035-.0050".
i would think that the lands are breaking because of the heat/ power and the fact that they werent built for it. boosted engines get hotter and therefore the piston will expand a tiny bit more then in a stock engine. if the gaps slightly expand with the piston then i dont think the rings would be the culprit. gap them more or not i dont think it will help either way except for giving u slightly more blow by. my opinion just get forged pistons. but this is strictly theory by me as i have never seen or delt with this engine first hand so dont take my word like its written in stone or anything.
mike
i make neons and j-bodys go fast
ammfab wrote:stock pistons are usually cast and have less thermal expansion then an aftermarket forged pistons which are uaually either 2618 or 4032 aluminum. the 4032 doesnt expand as much as the 2618 so the gaps between those matereials witll differ also. ill use my neon for reference.......... i just built a stock bottom end 2 liter neon engine for my car a few months back and i set the wall clearance in the range of .0015-.002" now when im doing a performance build ill base the clearances off of a few things, horsepower goal/boost and piston material. most aftermarket pistons are 2618 and like i said above it has more expansion then the other materials out there and so ill set those gaps anywhere from .0035-.0050".
i would think that the lands are breaking because of the heat/ power and the fact that they werent built for it. boosted engines get hotter and therefore the piston will expand a tiny bit more then in a stock engine. if the gaps slightly expand with the piston then i dont think the rings would be the culprit. gap them more or not i dont think it will help either way except for giving u slightly more blow by. my opinion just get forged pistons. but this is strictly theory by me as i have never seen or delt with this engine first hand so dont take my word like its written in stone or anything.
mike
I think you've got one too many zero's infront of those numbers.
On a stock LN2 depending on goals and intent, it wouldnt hurt to open them up abit. from what i've seen most are .015" from the factory, way too small for boost or juice as they will but. I would go with a general rule of .008" of ring gap per inch of bore with factory pistons and boost. (so on a 3" bore you have .024" ring gap) on the top ring, then set the bottom ring to .010 per inch of bore (so 3" bore is .030") you want your second ring gap larger than the first
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** Flat Broke Racing Inc.**
not at all, im talking about wall clearance not ring gap. on forged pistons that are gonna see boost ill set ring gaps anywhere from .017"-.022" on the top ring and .020"-.026" on the second ring. as for the cast pistons, well a little less then what i set the forged pistons gaps at.
mike
i make neons and j-bodys go fast