Idea for GTS piston ring replacements

[ptuomov]

I am reading on RL that there are two differences between GTS rings and 951 rings.

(1) The GTS 2nd ring is thinner than the GT/S4/944/951 second ring.
(2) The GTS ring set costs $1250 and 2x951 ring set costs $250 for 2x951

Here's an idea how to save almost a thousand dollars:

If you need new rings for GTS, why not send your pistons to Rebco Machine (Rebco_Machine.com) and have them machine the second ring groove to fit the 951 ring? The cost is under $60 for all eight, plus shipping. At the same time, one can have the fubar GTS piston oil ring drain holes drilled, which must be done in any case.

If you know why this would not work, let me know.

[Barbapapa]

That sounds like a good idea if you want to use easily avalable parts. That's a smokin' deal for the machining too.
Cutting a ring groove is something that has to be done a certain way and an average job shop would have a high chance of screwing it up. It's good to know there's a company specializing in that.

What about having the rings ground thinner? Total Seal could do that and you'd keep the advantage of thinner rings.

Of course you could ditch the whispy little bores and put in something to take advantage of that big-block like cylinder spacing but that's another story

[ptuomov]

Mike -

I was thinking about the cheapest way to refresh a GTS. Can you beat $54 + 951 rings? That's the best I could come up with. I suspect Total Seal will not look in our direction for $54!

I don't have GTS, this is just figuring out a solution for someone on RL.

Best, Tuomo

[Barbapapa]

Originally Posted by ptuomov

I suspect Total Seal will not look in our direction for $54!

You never know until you ask!. They do it all the time. From a machinist view, grinding flat things is less work than cutting grooves in round things.

[ptuomov]

Originally Posted by Barbapapa

You never know until you ask!. They do it all the time. From a machinist view, grinding flat things is less work than cutting grooves in round things.

Although it is unlikely that they'll do it for fifty-four American pesos, yes, one should ask. Always ask. I generally agree with the philosophy of getting slapped a lot but also getting f****ed a lot.

[ptuomov]

In case someone is interested, I just spoke to Eric henke at Rebco who said that there should be no issues with cutting the groove on the iron coated piston and that the price is $54 for eight pistons. Beats paying an extra grand for GTS rings.