MastaFlyMason

iTrader: (1)

I bought a B16a engine that had a "fresh rebuild" and when I started it up it was smoking like crazy. When I pulled it apart 3 of the 4 pistons had a broken ring. It was the second ring on all of them (the one in between the top compression ring and the bottom oil rings). What could have caused this? I'm guessing installation error but it seems weird that it is the same ring on all the pistons. I took off the only ring that wasn't broken and the ring gap on that one looked OK. Second question is it has SRP forged flat top 81mm pistons in it, what rings should I buy? Can I use any kind or should I go with SRP/JE? Thanks!

b20ricepower

I'd say that they just weren't gapped correctly, or it had detonation and those just happened to fail first.
I'd also stick with the same brand ring as you know they will fit correctly.