What's The RIGHT Piston Ring?

Choosing the right piston ring for your engine build can make or break the durability of the engine. So how do you know what piston ring is right for your engine? Well, there's more to that answer than just the correct sizing. How the engine will be used will determine which materials and coatings the ring should feature. The great news is that the pros at Total Seal can help you figure it all out. Make us your first call instead of your last call... Nearly 25 years BEFORE Nicholas Otto invented the spark ignited internal combustion engine (the type of engine most cars use), an English Engineer by the name of John Ramsbottom invented the piston ring in 1852, and he did it for steam engines. Prior to Mr. Ramsbottom’s stroke of genius, steam engine pistons featured grooves packed with hemp or cotton to improve sealing. Of course, this didn’t work that well, which led to John Ramsbottom’s invention of the metallic, split ring design in 1852. Over the next decade, he continued to refine his design, and eventually a steam engine could go 4,000 miles before needing to replace the piston rings. That was a significant improvement in performance and durability. 170 years later, the piston ring is still evolving and enabling greater engine performance and durability. With over 50% thermal efficiency, today’s F1 engines are the most efficient combustion engines ever built (rivaling combined cycle gas turbines). That’s nearly double the efficiency of a regular petrol engine and 50% better than a turbo diesel. One of the reasons for the incredible efficiency of these engines lies in the fact that piston rings account for nearly 40% of all engine friction. That makes piston rings the number 1 source of friction in an engine. So the best way to improve engine performance and durability goes right back to Mr. Ramsbottom’s invention - the piston ring. The evolution of piston ring materials and coatings has allowed for innovation in piston ring sizes and designs. Today’s piston rings are dramatically thinner, lighter and stronger than your Grandfather’s piston rings. More efficient piston rings increase horsepower, reduce engine temperature (both water temperature and oil temperature) and extends motor oil life. All of which means engine life and performance increase. I think John Ramsbottom would be proud to see today’s piston rings. To learn more about piston rings, hit that subscribe button and visit www.TotalSeal.com #RacingEngine #CylinderBore #PistonRing #Enginetechnology #horsepower #engine