Best source for a rebuild kit? New housings?
 

Going to rebuild my 86 GXL after a coolant seal failure. Im planning on building this keg the right way out of the gate. Streetport, S5 rotating assembly.

What I need is a full rebuild kit, and brand new OE rotor housings. I was looking at Pineapple because I've heard sketchy things about Atkins repackaging shitty aftermarket parts as OE Mazda parts, and Racing Beats price on a rebuild kit is eye wateringly expensive. Is there a better source for a rebuild kit that I don't know of? And on the topic, Are brand new rotor housings worth the $600 each over used housings? I am building an all motor N/A track car, so any dreg of power counts. Im just worried im gonna waste these housings within a couple thousand miles and be on the hook for another $3000 rebuild. Blowing apex seals early is really only a worry with turbo motors right?

https://www.mazdamotorsports.com/

https://www.amayama.com/en?v=1

Recommend pineapple racing for their water seals.

recommend pineapple racing and Atkins for their side seals, corner seals, oil control rings/seals, etc.

currently running rotary aviation apex seals on a s5 t2 and haven’t run into any issues for 10 years.

Out of curiosity, what is your opinion on Pineapple water seals vs OEM?

Going to be buying a rebuild kit sometime soon, and my instinct is to just go with 100% OEM parts. However the Pineapple kit is very well priced, and it looks like the only non-OEM internal part is the Pineapple water seal kit. I'm also skeptical about the round seal vs. square cut, since it seems like it would be harder to assemble and more likely to roll or twist.

my opinion, on these things is pretty simple.

if you do your shopping right the Mazda parts are usually the same money or cheaper. secondly the Mazda parts work, and as such one is better off experimenting with other things.

i'd rather save the $$ on the shiny unproven engine part, and spend it on the ecu or exhaust or something.

totally IMO, most of us have a limited budget

That was my first impression too, but some of the stories I've read of people reusing the Pineapple seals in multiple engines are impressive.

I'm still leaning towards the stock Mazda seal, since I'm building a street engine. In a race engine where you rebuild every season reusable seals have an obvious advantage, but on the street I am leaning towards the stock seal for longevity and ease of installation.

yeah if you were doing some experimenting in the engine, like different ports or something, i could see using the pineapple water seals, that would make sense

I used the Pineapple seals on my current engine and like you I struggled with whether to use them. At the time they had the cheapest price for turbo rotor housings if you added them to the kit and I needed a pair. In the end I rolled the dice and used their seals. I have approx. 60k miles on it and so far so good. As to being reusable I think they are if tore down like mentioned within a year or so but 60k in like I am I have my doubts. As to the install IIRC I didn't have any issues. I just coated them good with Hylomar and it held them in place while I put everything together. Would I use the again. The jury is still out. It will depend on the failure mode of this engine. Whether it is water seal related or not.

The pineapple kit gives you the ability to tear down the motor briefly after tear down and reuse them, it’s not some “New shiny unproven part”.

i have a rebuilt s5 t2 with 70k on it using these seals. Car would have more miles but I barely drive it now, but I’m extremely glad the way I built it.