Combustion pressure builds between the 1st and 2nd ring. When it does this it will make the top ring flutter. The ring fluttering really messes up the ring groove. I've tried it everyway and the gapless 2nd ring works. The gapless top doesn't seem to transfer heat to the cylinder wall very well...
You don't want to run a gapless top ring on a boosted application. Air gets trapped between the 1st and 2nd ring which will unseat and flutter the top ring. Total will tell you this outright.
I think batteries are a crap shoot anymore. Sometimes you get a good one and sometimes you don't. My Grandfathers 97' 6.5T has only had one battery replaced since new. The other one is original. It has even been driven with a bad alternator for 40+ miles late one night thru VA pulling a camper...