Supertech vs Wiseco XX piston rings
 

So I bought a set of supertech rings for my BP4W from fab9, however I recently read that they have lower spring tension compared to other brands or oem. Aren't the supertech and wiseco xx rings both made by NPR? Are they actually different, or just the same thing in a different box? I plan to run the motor n/a for a bit then boost it and shoot for around 250 hp. Should I toss the supertechs and get wiseco, or just run the supertechs?

Wiseco.

You can't use either of those rings on stock pistons.

Is OP using stock pistons? Not sure he never really specifies.

He has another thread from a few months ago where he was planning to put an engine together with stock bits. Unless his plans changed drastically since then he's going to be running stock pistons.

I see, if so then you will be correct sir. A job well done.

Some say their different and some say their the same. The specific difference supposedly is that the Wiseco uses a higher tension oil ring. I believe they are both made by NPR.

Yes, my plan is to use stock pistons and probably manley rods. I have the supertech rings in 83mm, are you saying they won't fit on the pistons? It doesn't say that anywhere on fab9's site for either brand.

They will not work. The OE rings are 1.5mm thick for the 1st & 2nd and 3mm for the oil control assembly. The wiseco's and many aftermarket are 1mm (1st), 1.2mm (2nd) and 2.8mm for the oil control.

Damn, it would've been nice if fab9 said that on their website. Oh well. I've seen a few people on here use the sealed power rings from Rockauto. Do they hold up to boost well? Also, are all BP rings the same? Rockauto doesn't list the sealed power rings for '99 cars, but they have them under '97. Are they compatible?

My OE retailer says from mid 95 they are the same. 5X Racing says 94-97 & 99-05. The OE retailer shows all 4 cyl and list them as a set for $90. Seems inexpensive for all 4 cylinders but too expensive for one.

By OE retailer do you mean a dealership?

When researching my build I read that the sealed power "total seal" rings can be a PITA to seat, and while probably offer a slightly better seal if properly seated it wasn't worth the risk for me. It's a turbo build anyways, and rings aren't necessarily the weak spot here. I just went with NPR replacement rings on my OE piston build gapped to the wider end of OE spec and it's holding up great.

Your research may vary, it was a while ago.

There are no sealed power "total seal" rings. Sealed power doesn't make total seal rings. They make traditional style rings. Total seal makes the rings you're thinking of.

I used the rockauto sealed power rings on my rods only build. I'm at somewhere around 15k miles and 240 kpa on a 6258 and they're doing just fine. Sealed power lists the e-615kc piston ring set for 94-97 pistons (1.5mm x 1.5mm x 3.0mm ring thickness). They list the e-635kc ring set for NB1 pistons (1.2mm x 1.5mm x 3.0mm thickness).

Yes and no. They are dealerships that have online discount OE parts sales. The difference is that you have to look up the parts and you do not get the experience of the dealers parts guy. The mazda parts schematics are fairly hard to understand at times.

When I look on Rockauto it lists the sizes as 1.5 x 1.5 x 3.0mm for both the '99 and '97. The sealed power rings don't show up under '99, however if I look under '00, the sealed power rings are listed with the top ring as 1.2mm, and the other three brands list it as 1.5mm. Now I'm confused lol. I measured my old rings with some digital calipers and the top rings are both 1.5mm. Should I just order the sealed power rings for the '97 since they're the right size?

Yes. May have to change this to maybe. All of the 1.8 engines may use the 1.5mm, 1.5mm and 3mm thick rings. The 1.2mm upper may only be the msm. If that is the case then maybe there is another difference between the na8 and nb. I have a set of nb2 (02) pistons and rings that I thought measured 1.5. I will double check.

The part numbers for Enginetech, Mahle/Clevite, and ITM are all the same between '97 and '99. But they only list the Sealed Power rings under '97.

OE pistons? Stick with OE rings