CONFUSED!!! 2mm or 3mm???
07-18-02, 06:23 PM
#1
Passenger
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CONFUSED!!! 2mm or 3mm???
I am confused?? I am going to have my engine rebuilt and have been told by some to go with 2mm seals and told by others to go with 3mm seals.. In the latest issue of Sport Compact they were rebuilding a supposedly bullet proof 13b through SR Motorsports in CA. They used 2mm. Rx7.com swears by the 3mm seals for durability. Which is better?? Any one know from experience? I have a single turbo conversion (Apexi) if it matters.. I suppose approx. 400RWHP?
07-18-02, 06:36 PM
#3
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07-18-02, 07:46 PM
#4
WTB** Very Low Miles 94-95
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yer funny
i went with the 3mm ceramics because of the boost levels i plan on running and do run.
had i gone with the 2mms i would have blown my apex seals during my attempt to run the junk *** maps that xs engineering gave me....pop pop pop...cant do that on 2mms
however if you bust the ceramics ...and they do bust....yer turbos and everything else is shot...as well as anyone behind the thing...
tis up to you
some people swear by the hurleys...one piece seals are supposedly stronger during high rpm abuse...ceramics supposedly handle higher boost levels...at least thats what mazda an my shop claims.
good luck...get the seals that you think you need for the type of driving you do. certain seals are built for certain situations according to my minimal understanding on the topic.
good luck
j
i went with the 3mm ceramics because of the boost levels i plan on running and do run.
had i gone with the 2mms i would have blown my apex seals during my attempt to run the junk *** maps that xs engineering gave me....pop pop pop...cant do that on 2mms
however if you bust the ceramics ...and they do bust....yer turbos and everything else is shot...as well as anyone behind the thing...
tis up to you
some people swear by the hurleys...one piece seals are supposedly stronger during high rpm abuse...ceramics supposedly handle higher boost levels...at least thats what mazda an my shop claims.
good luck...get the seals that you think you need for the type of driving you do. certain seals are built for certain situations according to my minimal understanding on the topic.
good luck
j
07-18-02, 11:44 PM
#5
I am no more an expert than anyone on here, but I have followed the discussions with interest and I have a fair understanding of physics.
The 2mm seals seem like they would stick better because they have less mass/inertia (versus 3mm of the same material) and return to the wall faster over the two humps on the rotor housing surface.
I also think there is combustion pressure under the seal (in the spring area) so that the combustion doesn't push them back into the slot.
I have heard it said by at least one person who has experimented with them both that 2mm seals make more power and seal better.
It seems quite reasonable that the thicker 3mm would be stronger than a 2mm seal. This may very well be a benefit for tuning, but I don't think there is any sort of HP threshold above which you need 3mm versus 2mm. There are more than a few cars making 600+ HP with stock 2mm seals.
Worn rotors can be machined for 3mm seals and re-used. It seems that 3mm seals are sometimes (often?) chosen so that you can save money on rotors by reusing the ones you have.
It is clear that both sizes can work well. Take the recommendation of the shop that builds your motor.
-Max
The 2mm seals seem like they would stick better because they have less mass/inertia (versus 3mm of the same material) and return to the wall faster over the two humps on the rotor housing surface.
I also think there is combustion pressure under the seal (in the spring area) so that the combustion doesn't push them back into the slot.
I have heard it said by at least one person who has experimented with them both that 2mm seals make more power and seal better.
It seems quite reasonable that the thicker 3mm would be stronger than a 2mm seal. This may very well be a benefit for tuning, but I don't think there is any sort of HP threshold above which you need 3mm versus 2mm. There are more than a few cars making 600+ HP with stock 2mm seals.
Worn rotors can be machined for 3mm seals and re-used. It seems that 3mm seals are sometimes (often?) chosen so that you can save money on rotors by reusing the ones you have.
It is clear that both sizes can work well. Take the recommendation of the shop that builds your motor.
-Max
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