LT-1 freshen-up

John Nechiporchik · 11-18-2014, 01:52 PM

Planning on a ring freshen up on my LT-1 shortblock this winter. I do not intend to replace pistons, so I am looking for advice on rings/honing process. The motor has Lunati L350 pistons with 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 ring grooves.
I would like to consider a range of options and pros/cons for each.
I reviewed a lot of the old threads on here, just looking for latest thinking.
Total Seal recommended AP gapless top, Napier second, low tension oil.
Saw good/bad input on gapless.
Interested to hear input. This is not a high dollar deal. I am willing to spend a few bucks, but I don't want to break the bank. I also realize you get what you pay for.
Thanks for advise/input.
I have access to a couple great shops to perform the honing properly.
Thanks,
John

Mike Pearson · 11-18-2014, 03:19 PM

Stay away from the gapless rings. They caused me to freshen my engine after one run. Total Seal could not tell me why the rings failed after just one pass. Other than that Total Seal should be able to steer you in the right direction. I have had good luck with their more standard ring packages. Make sure that you have a good machine shop that is experienced with racing engines hone the block and has a honing plate for your block

Larry Hill · 11-18-2014, 03:24 PM

I don't think you can go wrong with Greg Luneack at Tri City Competition.

jmcarter · 11-18-2014, 03:33 PM

If you're at location shown on your profile I'd just jump on I-75 South to Dayton and give Bruce Parsons your stuff....A1 job. Agree with Mike on the Gapless but each engine builder has their own unique take on a ring package and it could very well be influenced by your current pistons if you're intent on using them.

Tony Goodman · 11-18-2014, 06:25 PM

Like Larry said, I don't think you can go wrong with Greg Luneack.

richie 2 · 11-18-2014, 06:36 PM

a wet mag test on the crank and rods...hundred dollar investment to be assured of crack free, highly stressed components.

Darcy Clarke · 11-19-2014, 10:01 AM

X3 on Gregg Luneack's rings as I machined a LT1 for a friend and used Gregg's rings and they work awesome. I am currently machining another one for my Daughter and I am using the same ring package. Give Gregg a call you'll be happy with the price and service.

Darcy Clarke
6254
A/SA SS/JA

John Dinkel · 11-19-2014, 10:23 AM

Greg is good

John Nechiporchik · 11-19-2014, 12:17 PM

Thanks everyone. Looks like a call to Greg is on the agenda.

John

John Nechiporchik · 11-19-2014, 05:02 PM

Spoke with Greg today. He is a wealth of knowledge. Looking forward to doing business with him.

John

11-18-2014, 01:52 PM	#1
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 315 Likes: 74 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	LT-1 freshen-up Planning on a ring freshen up on my LT-1 shortblock this winter. I do not intend to replace pistons, so I am looking for advice on rings/honing process. The motor has Lunati L350 pistons with 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 ring grooves. I would like to consider a range of options and pros/cons for each. I reviewed a lot of the old threads on here, just looking for latest thinking. Total Seal recommended AP gapless top, Napier second, low tension oil. Saw good/bad input on gapless. Interested to hear input. This is not a high dollar deal. I am willing to spend a few bucks, but I don't want to break the bank. I also realize you get what you pay for. Thanks for advise/input. I have access to a couple great shops to perform the honing properly. Thanks, John

11-18-2014, 03:19 PM	#2
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,321 Likes: 546 Liked 1,629 Times in 502 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up Stay away from the gapless rings. They caused me to freshen my engine after one run. Total Seal could not tell me why the rings failed after just one pass. Other than that Total Seal should be able to steer you in the right direction. I have had good luck with their more standard ring packages. Make sure that you have a good machine shop that is experienced with racing engines hone the block and has a honing plate for your block __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

11-18-2014, 03:24 PM	#3
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,278 Likes: 1,636 Liked 9,455 Times in 1,957 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up I don't think you can go wrong with Greg Luneack at Tri City Competition. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

11-18-2014, 03:33 PM	#4
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,122 Likes: 1,978 Liked 2,705 Times in 853 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up If you're at location shown on your profile I'd just jump on I-75 South to Dayton and give Bruce Parsons your stuff....A1 job. Agree with Mike on the Gapless but each engine builder has their own unique take on a ring package and it could very well be influenced by your current pistons if you're intent on using them. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock

11-18-2014, 06:25 PM	#5
Tony Goodman Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Zeeland, MI Posts: 98 Likes: 128 Liked 18 Times in 4 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up Like Larry said, I don't think you can go wrong with Greg Luneack.

11-18-2014, 06:36 PM	#6
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 918 Likes: 321 Liked 157 Times in 73 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up a wet mag test on the crank and rods...hundred dollar investment to be assured of crack free, highly stressed components. Last edited by richie 2; 11-18-2014 at 06:40 PM.

11-19-2014, 10:01 AM	#7
Darcy Clarke Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 192 Likes: 21 Liked 418 Times in 28 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up X3 on Gregg Luneack's rings as I machined a LT1 for a friend and used Gregg's rings and they work awesome. I am currently machining another one for my Daughter and I am using the same ring package. Give Gregg a call you'll be happy with the price and service. Darcy Clarke 6254 A/SA SS/JA

11-19-2014, 10:23 AM	#8
John Dinkel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pinckney, Michigan Posts: 500 Likes: 352 Liked 233 Times in 62 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up Greg is good __________________ John Dinkel 3295 STK

11-19-2014, 12:17 PM	#9
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 315 Likes: 74 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up Thanks everyone. Looks like a call to Greg is on the agenda. John

11-19-2014, 05:02 PM	#10
John Nechiporchik Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grosse Ile Mi. Posts: 315 Likes: 74 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: LT-1 freshen-up Spoke with Greg today. He is a wealth of knowledge. Looking forward to doing business with him. John