What's The #1 Source Of Friction In Your Engine?

The highest source of friction in an engine is the piston ring to cylinder wall interface. Studies from Ford Motor Company and the US Department of Energy reveal up to 45% of engine friction comes from the piston ring rubbing against the cylinder wall, so the best way to improve engine efficiency is to reduce ring friction.
Thinner, lower tension piston rings greatly reduce friction, which increases horsepower and lowers engine temperature.
For more about piston ring friction, check out these videos:
Piston Ring History: • From Steam Locomotives...
Dyno Testing: • Dyno Testing Piston Ri...
Engine Temperature & Piston Rings: • Engine Running HOT? Wa...

[@danielhertz7266]

Isn't there a fine line between the pressure needed for compression ring seal & the amount of friction that produces? Take ported rings for example. In order to get a better seal between a properly bedded in ring and a properly honed cylinder wall, cylinder pressure aids in pushing the ring against the bore. However, this very action creates more friction because of increased contact pressure no?
Is this why/how the thinner top ring achieves net gain?

[@TotalSeal]

It is a fine line to hit the optimal balance between seal and friction. Actually, the gas ported rings make it easier to strike that balance because we can adjust the size of the gas ports in the ring.

[@n2omike]

Excellent work you're doing! Do these thin rings stand up to big horsepower and power adders? How do they hold up to nitrous and boost?

[@TotalSeal]

Because these thin rings are made from either stainless steel or tool steel, they can handle big horsepower. Our .043 tool steel rings can handle big nitrous or boost. If you have a specific application in mind, please call our tech department for a recommendation - 623-587-7400.