# Piston ring-to-land clearance (NA8)

Canonical URL: https://miatatorque.com/spec/piston-ring-land-clearance-na8/

Applicability: NA 1994–1997 (BP) — Other years inferred from 1994 factory evidence.

Confidence: fsm

Clearance
Top: 0.03—0.065mm {0.0012—0.0025 in}
Second: 0.03—0.07mm {0.0012—0.0027 in}

Always confirm against your factory manual. Match every restriction and follow all stages and procedure notes. Disputed claims must not be automatically resolved. The complete record below preserves every printed unit, source claim and procedure.

```json
{
  "id": "piston-ring-land-clearance-na8",
  "name": "Piston ring-to-land clearance (NA8)",
  "aliases": [],
  "applies_to": [
    {
      "gen": "NA",
      "years": [
        1994,
        1997
      ],
      "engines": [
        "BP"
      ],
      "note": "Other years inferred from 1994 factory evidence."
    }
  ],
  "kind": "non-torque",
  "value_text": "Clearance\nTop: 0.03—0.065mm {0.0012—0.0025 in}\nSecond: 0.03—0.07mm {0.0012—0.0027 in}",
  "procedure": {
    "notes": "Measure around entire circumference using a NEW piston ring. Replace piston if excessive."
  },
  "confidence": "fsm",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source": "fsm-1994",
      "page": "B–55 (PDF p. 92)",
      "as_printed": "Clearance\nTop: 0.03—0.065mm {0.0012—0.0025 in}\nSecond: 0.03—0.07mm {0.0012—0.0027 in}",
      "verified_years": [
        1994,
        1994
      ],
      "document": {
        "id": "fsm-1994",
        "tier": 1,
        "title": "1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata Workshop Manual",
        "covers": [
          {
            "gen": "NA",
            "years": [
              1994,
              1997
            ],
            "engines": [
              "BP"
            ]
          }
        ],
        "note": "Mazda's base manual for 1994–97; later model years got supplements, which we haven't checked yet."
      }
    }
  ],
  "jobs": [],
  "system": "engine",
  "component": "inventory-pass-2026-10",
  "componentName": "Service measurements and fasteners",
  "sequence_diagrams": [],
  "url": "https://miatatorque.com/spec/piston-ring-land-clearance-na8/"
}
```