Side Seals: Old School vs. New School
 

Currently rebuilding an 86 13B NA engine and I'm buying the seals I need from Atkins Rotary. Anyone know what the advantages/disadvantages of going with old school or new school side seals?

what is the difference? first i have heard about anything but OEM side seals.. there really is no benefit that i can think of aside from less wear which is unlikely unless they are ceramic which is also unlikely.

if you're talking about using FD or RX8 side seals, they're all the same material.

By old school I assume you mean stock?

Stock seals are less plentiful, cause less wear and tear on the housings. 2 piece aftermarket are cheaper and readily available, but I've heard bad things....

My rebuild used 2 piece RA seals and seized up after about 2k miles.

he is referring to side seals not the apex seals, of which i haven't heard of anything non OEM for side seals.

Sorry, should have been more specific. Old School refers to stock side seals, while new school refers to cryogenically treated side seals. Atkins sells both of these.

Old School (stock):
http://www.atkinsrotary.com/store/pr...3&cat=0&page=1

New School (cryogenically treated):
http://www.atkinsrotary.com/store/pr...5&cat=0&page=1

Well... they're still stock ones. All cryo treatment does is make them harder. I wouldn't consider them aftermarket. I've never heard of stock side seals breaking either, just wearing out.

if you want to be anal
oldschool has always been 1985 and earlier side seals,, which are 1.0mm wide
1986 onwards ( new school ) till rx8 will use 0.7mm side seals

they do not mix and match

you question should be - stock or aftermarket cryo side seal differences

the links you post show 12a / up to 1985 13b units ,, these are 1.0 mm wide and unusable in 1986 rotors
the other link shows 1986 and later side seals ( which have had aftermarket cryo treatment )
these are 0.7mm wide,, and these are the ones you need for the 1986 rotors you have