Gas Ported Piston Rings

Looks like these have been out for awhile, has anyone here ever used them. The only company I
have found so far that makes them is "Total Seal". Anybody recognize the first author's name?

https://www.totalseal.com/rings/gas-ported-rings
https://www.nmradigital.com/tech-review-gas-ported-piston-rings-from-total-seal/

https://www.engineprofessional.com/

while the idea has merit I think more testing might clarify things,
putting minor grooves in the upper surface of the upper compression ring is sure to marginally increase gas pressure behind the upper ring,
many engine builders currently modify the upper surface of the piston ring grooves,
to allow combustion pressure to get behind the rings easier,
thus in theory having, combustion pressure firmly seat the rings,
against the lower surface of the ring groove, and force it out against the bore wall.
and allowing combustion pressure to easily get behind the rings forcing them out against the bore wall, there is already pressure there in all engines to force the rings,
a bit more firmly against the bore wall,
adding the lateral groove over the top ring just allows it to build up and work faster.
I don,t see the minor grooves in the upper ring surface doing anything more effectively than laterally porting the upper ring groove upper surface,
grooving rings seems like its potentially inducing radial stress points in the rings ,
and the rings are already prone to damage from heat,
and impact stress in the piston grooves
no doubt its a marketing tool that will increase sales to those people who want the benefits,
without having to laterally port ring grooves during the engine assembly process

BTW USE OF A HAND HELD DRILL TO DO THIS IS RISKY

A DRILL PRESS CAN BE SET UP TO LIMIT THE DEPTH OF THE DRILL AND WITH A CORRECT FIXTURE MUCH MORE PRECISELY LOCATE THE HOLE DRILLED

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...op-needs-a-decent-drill-press.970/#post-32557

http://www.superstreetonline.com/how-to/engine/impp-1110-piston-anatomy-tech-knowledge/

https://goodson.com/products/gas-porting-tools

these tools come in various ring sizes ,(but the various piston diameters are not as critical as ring width, it should be obvious that you MUST USE the tool that places the drilled gas port at the correct place in the upper ring groove roof and you damn sure better not drill deeper than the rear edge of the ring groove or youll destroy the piston

related info
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-basic-piston-ring-info-youll-need.509/page-2

The point that Total Seal makes make about modifying the piston are:

- The piston will be stronger without the extra material removed
- The ports don't get blocked with carbon since they are constantly moving

The strength of the ring would be somewhat dependent on the process used to make them. For
example a casting or forged piston or machined. They are certainly more expensive, roughly
twice the price.

Now obviously TS has a bigger stake in the success of this design if they are only manufacture
making them.

Are there any other manufacture's making this design ???
.

all good points to consider but having dis-assembled several high mileage engines WITH lateral piston ring upper ring grooves in the piston grooves as gas ports ,"
I don,t remember seeing any of the gas ports blocked with crud to any significant degree.
but Id also to be fair point out most of the guys change oil and filters etc. frequently
and yes its VERY easy to screw up a piston if you were to drill too deeply adding lateral gas ports,
the amount of metal removed by the drill is insignificant and has no appreciable effect on piston strength if done correctly

having a MILL or a good drill press with a V-block makes drilling the lateral gas ports far easier, especially if you set drill depth stops for the drill used in the piston so it cant drill too deep and stops so the piston can,t easily move in the v-block
while you drill and you've set the drill depth correctly

http://www.grizzly.com/products/5-Speed ... ress/G7946


https://www.ebay.com/i/332648553073...LZsdFNZQZ3WKbhr9p0NRZW8xBl27Jm80aAvKfEALw_wcB


always bolt the v-block to the mill or drill press table and check/measure everything carefully
its hard to fix a drill hole thats drilled in the wrong location or to deeply

Grumpy said:

but having dis-assembled several high mileage engines with lateral piston ring gas ports ,

Click to expand...

Ah.... in the piston or piston ring ???

So you are making a good point in my favor ???

I don't know what's best, but trying to argue for the other side.

good catch, I corrected that so its harder to mis-interpert

"but having dis-assembled several high mileage engines with lateral piston ring upper ring grooves in the piston grooves as gas ports ,"

There was a NASCAR named Lake Speed years ago. Don’t remember Jr. used in his name. Maybe son? Looks to young enough to be his son.

Yea, it would have to be his son. Most likely it's him, not a very common name.