I've searched the threads here and at m.net about the oil pump gear weakness. Since I'm rebuilding my motor I am going to opt for a new gear at this point. However I am left questioning whether or not this shortcoming has been improved upon by the aftermarket vendors.

No one has mentioned anything about the aftermarket oil pumps from Mahle/Clevite. Are they made with the same stock gear that is susceptible to breakage, or has their design improved the gear?

 

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t28709/

 

This doesn't answer my question about the composition of aftermarket oil pump manufacturers gears. It recognizes the weakness of the oe pumps, and why a billet gear is a good replacement.

If a billet gear is good for 600hp car (talking out ***, I have know idea what they are good for), and stock oe starts becoming questionable as you go above 250hp.

I want to know if the construction of a gear made by reputable aftermarket companies known for making performance parts are of better quality than oe? This might give them a theoretical HP limit somewhere between oe and billet. Allowing me to buy a new pump, and not a new pump + billet gear

 

I don't think you'll find any conclusive information about the composition of aftermarket oil pump gears without doing the testing on them yourself. I think that Travis was offering complete pumps with his billet gears at one time for a good price, might check with him to see if he is still doing that. Not to mention, he might have the other information that you seek.