Building a street 451 low deck engine.

What are the pros & cans of the different oil pup drives out there?

Is the Mopar Performance one the best option? (about $100)

Are the Mellings and Sealed Power ones acceptable? (about $50)

They all seem to have hardened shafts.

The Mopar one has a pinned on gear, is that preferable?

Will be running a Flat Tappeet Solid Lifter Cam.

Opinions?

Im thinking I used a Mellings the last time but cant be sure it wasn't mopar.

I have only used....re-used OEM stock, and MP.

The pin seems like a nice safety idea but after pressing a gear off and on and seeing how crazy tight the press fit was, I'm not sure it's really needed.

I know the pin has been accepted for decades, though, and (when I was able to check back around 2013) I was able to verify the MP one was (at that time) made in Mt. Clemens Michigan, USA. So if that means anything...it does have that going for it, or at least it used to.

Any pump drive shaft that has a sharp cut where the round shaft transitions to the hex (see arrow pic below) is likely to snap under a heavy load, choose one that has a gradual transition.

That is correct engineering-wise but a stock unit will run forever with a FT solid no matter what
In 40 years of the big block Mopar business I have never seen a unit with gear spun on the shaft
That $100 would be better spent elsewhere--IMO

Just me if it is not made overseas I would be OK with it. A person could pin the gear themselves (if need be).