Carrillo Engine Piston Ring

Carrillo Engine Piston Rings: Race-Proven Sealing Technology

When it comes to keeping combustion gases where they belong and friction as low as possible, few names carry the weight of Carrillo (CP-Carrillo). Best known for their elite forged pistons and connecting rods, CP-Carrillo brings the same engineering discipline to their engine piston rings — offering purpose-built ring sets that are carefully matched to the demands of high-performance and race applications.

Ring Technology Built for the Extremes

CP-Carrillo's piston ring lineup centers on two primary product families: the CPN/CPN2 ring sets and the PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) ring sets, each targeting a distinct tier of performance.

• CPN Ring Sets: These high-strength, low-tension ring sets are engineered specifically for small-bore and sport compact engines operating under elevated cylinder pressures. Each CPN set features a gas nitrided steel 1.0mm top ring, a Taper Hook Groove (THG) Napier-style 1.2mm second ring, and a low-tension 2.8mm flex vent oil ring. Compatible with modern cylinder bore coatings such as Nikasil, these rings offer optimum sealing with minimum drag.
• PDN2 Ring Sets: Available with a 2.0mm ring configuration, the PDN2 option provides an alternative geometry for builders seeking different ring land and piston height trade-offs in their builds.
• PVD Ring Sets: Designed specifically for high-pressure forced-induction applications, CP-Carrillo's PVD ring sets feature a 1.2mm steel top ring coated using Physical Vapor Deposition technology. This coating delivers excellent wear, corrosion, and scuff resistance — outperforming traditional gas nitriding alone — while also reducing friction against the cylinder wall. The PVD sets also include a lightweight 2.0mm oil ring for precise oil control, making them ideal for turbocharged and supercharged builds that push extreme cylinder pressures.

Custom Ring Packages for Any Build

One of CP-Carrillo's distinguishing strengths is their ability to go beyond off-the-shelf solutions. CP-Carrillo can custom design any combination of top, second, and oil ring to suit a specific engine build. When specifying a custom ring set, CP-Carrillo engineers factor in critical variables such as power adders (turbocharging, supercharging, nitrous oxide), bore size, and intended use — ensuring the ring package is dialed in from the start rather than adapted after the fact.

This same philosophy extends to how Carrillo designs ring packages for their piston product lines. Their BULLET Series pistons, for instance, ship with a quality 1.2mm carbon steel nitrided top ring and a 1.5mm Napier second ring to improve oil control over conventional taper-faced rings — illustrating how ring geometry is treated as integral to the complete piston assembly rather than an afterthought.

Why Serious Builders Choose Carrillo Rings

CP-Carrillo's ring development benefits directly from their close collaboration with professional motorsports teams across drag racing, circle track, sprint car, and road racing disciplines. Innovations validated on the track — such as lateral gas port designs that force rings harder against the cylinder wall during combustion for improved seal — are incorporated into their commercial ring products. Whether you are refreshing a naturally aspirated street engine or assembling a high-boost forced-induction build, browse the full selection of Carrillo engine piston rings to find the ring technology matched to your power goals.