I'm still doing research and buying parts for my NA buildup, I already have obtained the stock 3 piece 2mm apex seals with the stock springs... but after doing further research ceramic 2mm apex seals are looking quite attractive, however even after deciding ceramic apex seals there is another question which needs answering, one piece of two piece? Right now I'm leaning towards 2 piece 2mm ceramics... The improved sealing of the two piece is important for my NA to perform well (compression)... I'm curious if any of you have any experience with the one piece seals or other materials... any input at all will be appreciated.

are you planning on revving it higher than 8500rpms? if you are not, use the stock ones they seal best. if you go ceramic, the 2 peice will seal better



mike

does the 2 piece ceramic seal significantly worse than the 3 piece stock seal? I really like the lower wear characteristics of the ceramic seals and the ability to use the uprated springs. Do the stock seals perform as well as the 2 piece ceramic seals at 8500rpm? I have hardened gears, S5 rotors, and increased oil pressure in my buildup... but I have not had the rotors clearanced so I do not plan on exceeding 9000rpm (often? it depends on if it produces power there, which apex seal float will definately effect!)



thanks.

Perhaps this topic should get moved to a more general forum... I always post in 2nd gen since I only have an FC.. this is not generation specific really though. Sorry about that.

i dont disagree with you, but it probably will get more traffic in here?

are you building a 6 port motor?

i was looking at it from a cost/benifit point of view.

the stock seals are 99% as good under 8500rpms, and they cost about 6 times less than ceramic ones do. if you are going to be over 8k all the time then it might be worth it to go ceramic. we had my 1st gen at the track, a couple of months ago an redline in second is 45-50mph, we had the car well over 65mph for long periods of time and its fine, it has stock 2mm seals.



mike

i dont disagree with you, but it probably will get more traffic in here?

are you building a 6 port motor?

i was looking at it from a cost/benifit point of view.

the stock seals are 99% as good under 8500rpms, and they cost about 6 times less than ceramic ones do. if you are going to be over 8k all the time then it might be worth it to go ceramic. we had my 1st gen at the track, a couple of months ago an redline in second is 45-50mph, we had the car well over 65mph for long periods of time and its fine, it has stock 2mm seals.



mike[/quote]

Yes, I am building a street ported 6 port motor. It has S5 NA end housings, S5 turbo rotor housings, and S5 turbo intermediate housing, intake and exhaust ports all street ported. Also using S5 NA intake parts (VDI... aux ports etc..) for now anyways, may try some custom variable length intake runners once I hone my brazing skills to black belt level. :yum:

i would go with the stock seals it should peak before 8k still



mike

i dont know how this is done, but when my mechanic rebuild my engine, I had three options for apex seal:



1. The stock seals (2mm) - $50 / seal

2. Some upgraded ones, maybe from an S5 turbo? 2mm - $70 / seal

3. 3 mm racing seals in which the tip of the rotor had to be machined to allow more space - $100 / seal



supposedly my mechanic said they should hold up longer, and since i have a turbo with a street port, i figured those might last longest.



if you want more info on 3 mm seals, contact my mechanic at



www.alamorotary.com

Hey mike, shouldn't a first gen have 3mm seals? :stickpoke:

it should, its got an 88 motor in it, with the stock gsl-se injection. dont do it if you need to pass smog, the air injection holes dont line up.



mike