Hi Tech Chrome or Cast Piston Rings?

[Sk8er07999]

A friend of mine is doing a super low budget re-build on his 90 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD. While shopping for piston rings he had the choice of two different style of rings. One set is chrome and the other cast. What are the pros/cons of the two? The difference in price is 50.00 for the cast set and 58.00 for the chrome. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kevin.

 

[92awddsm]

Well, I would go with the chrome top ring. Difference is, the cast is softer and tends to weear faster. It also tends to lose tension under sever heat conditions(turbo applications). It is probably the wost ring for a turbo application. The chrome faced ring will withstand heat a little better and wears slower. It will also hold up under faily dirty, dusty conditions better than the cast but will wear the cylinder faster. If he uses a good air filter, his best bet is to find a moly ring set. They will hold up to the heat better than the chrome or cast, wear the cylinder less, and just be better for his application. If locating the moly rings in his price range isnt possible, the chrome is the better choice. Look here To the best of my knowledge, these are moly rings. Just email Bruce and make sure but Im almost positive they are.

 

[Mike1992]

Interesting findings 92awddsm Im currently rebuilding with "ITM" 2g pistons that I bought from that place. My thing is, do the rings that come with the "ITM" pistons need to be file fitted? If so what kinda end gap should I go with? I figure theyre stock style pistons (cast) I might as well gap the rings to stock specs. But, I'm open to opinions...

Not trying to whore your post at all, sorry..

 

[Goobdog]

I also used the 2g ITM pistons with rings on my rebuild. They are identical to Hastings. The instructions that come with the rings on those pistons tell you to put the 2nd ring on upside down, it tells you the bevel on the ring should go up when in fact the bevel should be faced down.

 

[Sk8er07999]

wow thanks for the quick replys that really helped me out.

 

[keltalon]

I also used the 2g ITM pistons with rings on my rebuild. They are identical to Hastings. The instructions that come with the rings on those pistons tell you to put the 2nd ring on upside down, it tells you the bevel on the ring should go up when in fact the bevel should be faced down.

this statement is very inacurate! these rings are in no way, form, or fashion identical to hastings! i know i have both sets right in front of me! email bruce and he will tell you that itm rings are cast not chrome or moly. hastings are chrome faced