I understand that there is speculation that hellfire rings are not the best choice for high-mileage engines because they are hard on the cylinder walls.

I am building a high-mileage 355 AFR LT4 that will have between 15-20# of boost running through it. This will be a daily driven street car with occasional track use (both drag and AutoX/Road Race).

If I decide to err on the side of high-mileage longevity, what will I be sacrificing by going with a different ring?

 

Well pushing 15-20psi is not exactly what most would call a motor with high mileage potential either way. Thats alot of boost to play with mainly that last 5 psi.

 

That will be the max boost point of the motor. Almost all of the miles will be cruising freeway miles in which there will obviously be almost no boost. The FI is only for when it's tome to play (which wont be often).

 

just go with the total seal gapless top ring set

 

What will I be sacrificing by going with those over the hellfires?

 

ive never used hellfires, but when i bought my rings, the guys at cncmotorsports told me that the hellfires are not that much better than a normal file fit ring, but the gapless top ring set has seen as much as 30 rwhp gain on a dyno on a blower car...like i said, i have not used them before this motor, so i really cannot back this up, but thats what i was told.

 

Thanks. Maybe I'll give that shop a call and see if they have any definitive reasons.