are gapping rings a must

[fordkiller91]

I have 06 5.3 with s475 turbo, planing for close to 850wrhp. Would i need to gap the rings or would y'all just run with it how its and just put ls9 gasket and head studs

[George C]

is it a must? no
can it help incase you get too aggressive on tune up? yes [too much timing can play a number on the rings and cause them to butt together and pop the top of piston off]


ppl have made power leaving stock but the combos ive done i gap them

[kerrige]

I have 06 5.3 with s475 turbo, planing for close to 850wrhp. Would i need to gap the rings or would y'all just run with it how its and just put ls9 gasket and head studs

The key factor is how hard you are looking to push. As george mentioned it's not required, but rather helpful. Considering 850rwhp is aggressive for a 5.3 powered truck I would say it's a good idea. It would help to know what else is involved in the build? Is this a heads and cam built up motor or a stocking motor? I am going to ricer math real quick and assume you will need north of 15lbs and aggressive timing to get it done. That all said you would likely benefit from doing it. People can and have made more power without gapping the rings, but it's up to you.

[fordkiller91]

Yeah the plan to run a cam in it.go to i have which a bit big oh well cam spec( 230/236 591/601 112+1) should do ok. From what y'all saying i might as well gap rings. What would be best gap. Was think 028 top and 030 for srcond

[George C]

ive ran a 230/236 595/602 115+2 in a 53 before made good power...trapped 130 @ 4700 lbs on 12.5 psi


i run .028/.028

[fordkiller91]

130 bout 10 Sec pass right? Since i have it I'm going to run it then later i was plan on get a tu1.5 or tu2. My goal is low 10 or high 9s with 5.3. Set up I'm planing is stock 5.3 ls9 head gasket and studs might do some p&p 243s(later on) 230/236 cam .turbo log home made hot pipes with s475 4l80e 3600 stall shift kit. 4.10s trutrac. Suspension get. When i ready. 4/6 drop at lease

[kerrige]

Hold up a second. Did you say low 10s or high 9s from a 5.3 powered fullsize truck? That is highly ambitious just so you're aware. The TU1.5 would actually be great. Everything else is on the right track IMO.

[fordkiller91]

What would y'all recommend to gap the rings to?i was thinking .028-30 top ring and .030-32 on second ring

[RS/SS 4.8]

Damn i thought it was .005-.006 X Bore for a mild boost setup. A 5.3 with 3.78 bore @ .006 should be at .022 top gap. Of course this is just a rule of thumb that i got out of the guy i talked to when i bought my forged pistons and 850 hp isnt mild so...... Georges stuff is just insane so i can understand his setup.

[George C]

Example of large gap is my 427 and its gapped at .037