Hello everyone, simple question regarding gaskets from Atkins..

Whats the difference in quality between the OEM gasket kit and the aftermarket kit, BESIDES the price? The stock costs $189, whilst the aftermarket is only $125.. The Atkins website doesn't really specify differences, regarding pieces or quality.

Anyone have any long term use with the aftermarket?

Im getting most of, if not all of my rebuild supplies from Atkins, and if I use the aftermarket kit it saves at least $64. Sounds good to me for my budget.

Also, since this had been widely debated, whats your view on the use of solid corner seals, using plugs, or not using plugs? I havent a clue what works or could work. Its my first time rebuild. I've heard the solid seals dont seal so well at low rpm, and the plugs harden after 10k or so and become useless. So regular seals without plugs sound like the best bet, but hoping for your opinion.

This is all for my '91 N/A

Thanks guys

 

Just stick with the stock design, you have an n/a motor anyway. Mazda has continued to run corner seal plugs even in the Rx-8's, although they have been redesigned. I run the OEM corner seals and plugs on my 400+rwhp turbo motor with a T04R.

I've never used an Atkins kit, but the biggest frustration I had with the RA soft seals was that they literally threw a ton of o-rings etc into a bag with no labelling whatsoever. And a lot of those little o-rings look very similar although they go to two completely different parts. If you are building your first motor it's easy to get confused.