Aftermarket rings - opinions, anyone?

[Gregford]

I've often used AIP or EPISAN rings and sometimes pistons in saws. Are they as good as the original rings?

Reason I'm asking is my mate's 181/288 still hasn't got the power. He found a matching 288 barrel and piston in excellent condition, and rebuilt the bottom end, but he used an AIP ring. Would that cause a lack of compression? It still just doesn't have the compression of my 288.

I've never had any trouble before with aftermarket rings, but I'm not an expert.

Thanks

Harry

 

[Cliff R]

Did you do a compression test on it?

Not sure what a 288 supposed to be, but my stock 181SE is over 180psi cold.

I would suspect a 288 would be close to that. Compression is power, felt power in terms of torque production across the useable rpm range.

The flow characteristics of the P/C determine HP production (dynamic), but it will still be down on power across the entire rpm range if a compression test (static) shows less than acceptable results.......Cliff