Speed Pro, Mahle, Diamond, Total Seal, Hastings, JE Pistons, et al... if you're looking at a common size, type and configuration of piston rings (e.g. 4.350" bore w/a 1/16", 1.16", 3/16" ring pack), are you really getting "different" rings from these different companies?

Or does that come into play more when you're working w/ more unique sizes and applications?

And how much of the ring industry is repackaging vs. actual manufacturers?

I don't know about all of them but I bought Howards True Seal rings and they had all the Total Seal packaging inside the Howards box.

Good question, since I see what looks like equivilent rings for about $100 for Total Seal Classic Racing and $150 for JE Pro Seal. How would I know whether the extra money actually gets me better rings?

Some good reading. Seems Mahle makes most of the rings sold as repackaged, but of course not all.

http://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28069#p326391

When I was studying ring,bearing and gasket technology,I learned that there are only a few MAJOR ring manufacturing companies.
Most others are repackaged. I prefer the quality of Total Seal myself.
Keith