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What's the deal with RA seals warping?

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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 05:53 PM
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Thumbs up What's the deal with RA seals warping?

I first heard mention of it a couple days ago and I was wondering if this is confirmed... I'm currently running the RA's and that's why I'm curious.

Anyone have any imput or experience? Also, would 'warped' seals be covered by the RA warranty?
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Old Feb 24, 2006 | 01:26 PM
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The first batch seals had a big problem with warping from it's original cutting process during development. The newer seals are now CNC machined. The seals still warp under stressfull conditions (such lean conditions or excessive detonation) but don't really break. Personally I would rather have my seals warp. Warping causes less damage to the housings and it doesn't send debres through the turbo like the stock 3 piece seals did. I have RA seals in my S5 NA vert with over 1000 miles. So far so good. RA warrenties their seals with the use of new housings. Also those who are using stock springs are getting better results out of the seals. The RA springs are junk because they are not heat treated and will collapse easily causing a loss of compression.
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Old Feb 27, 2006 | 03:14 PM
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--->https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ighlight=seals
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Old Feb 28, 2006 | 04:27 AM
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Enggh... Sucks kinda, because I've been running an RA rebuilt motor, with RA apex-springs () and 9.4:1 N/A rotors--with bad grounding, some occasional boost-spiking, a stock turbo with bad shaft-play (hitting at higher RPM's/boost) and a stock TMIC... Kind of a recipe for disaster IMO.

Anyways, I had some issues with the WG 'nipple' popping out of the turbo, the IC hoses popping off and the (mostly) stock vac. setup popping off vac. lines... Pretty much, after some hard driving for a couple weeks, I've really toned down now that the idle vac. pressure has dropped, the idle has gotten shaky and the car has had several hot-start issues. I've got a set of block-off plates, a new turbo, aftermarket BOV and 80mm DP/MP on the way--so hopefully I can get this thing "buttoned" down with the block-off plates etc. and get it running good. I'm just worried that perhaps my springs have flattened or my seals have warped after the hard-running.

Also, I'm not pre-mixing (I'm starting tomorrow, lol) and didn't really think about until reading the thread that Sgtblue posted. I ran pre-mix in my old TII, but since this "new" one has new S/S OMP lines and the previous owner was confident with it's 'protected' lubing abilities I never really questioned the lubing capabilities with the harder RA seals.

I'll probably have to tear it down within several months and I'm expecting some pretty gnarly housings... Scathcart freaked me out, lol. That tear-down will determine whether or not I go with them again. I'm 50/50 right now.
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Old Mar 1, 2006 | 05:45 PM
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I have 1,300 miles on my RA set w/stock springs and used housings. My plan was to tear down my engine at 10k for an inspection and more mods. One of my housings had previous damage so this should give me a good referance to how much wear the RA seals really do cause to the rotor housings. My OMP isn't working too well so I've been premixing 1oz per gallon so far.
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