Overpriced parts?

[scientist]

Came across this on another forum that i frequent for info.

This debate sparked at my work place and I figured I'd open it up to discuss here.

Why do people spend money on ARC, Greddy, HK$, spoon, etc products when the same exact product of lesser value works exactly the same but at a fraction of the cost?

Case and point, why do people spend ~1300 on a full titanium 3" turboback versus getting the same 3" turboback in mig-welded mild-steel form for ~400. In what way, shape, or form does the $900 get justified? Most people get name brand for the sake of just getting the name brand (and swag), but what technical advantage do you have? I've debated this more than one time and no one has yet to answer my questions.

Why is a lifetime lasting SUS304 tigged exhaust more substantial than a 10 year lasting mig welded mild steel exhaust?

Why is a 13 lb titanium exhaust more efficient than a 25 lb mild steel exhaust? At what point does 12 lb make a difference and does that 12 lb difference justify the $900 you have to spend?

If you have a cup that holds 16 fl oz, but it's made of gold and you have the same cup that holds 16 fl oz next to it that is made of rusted iron; does one cup hold more water than the other?

Why do people knock eBay intercoolers when they have the same exact dimensions, slightly different aluminum composition (albeit 2 lb heavier), same diameter intercooler piping, same bends, same fin design (bar and plate), with a slightly more oppressive pressure drop; versus a PTE/Greddy/Griffin core? At what point does 88% effiency versus 92% effiency matter? At what point does losing .5 psi pressure drop versus a 1.2 psi pressure drop matter?

Keep in mind, when I ask when does is matter, I mean at what power level? at what tuning level? at what necessity does it become a restriction and when will it ever apply to a street car such as those found on njtuners (like myself).

That is all.. open to a mature debate, please.

[Evo-Man]

Suit yourself and your pocket?

Why do some men like a woman with a big as as compared to a small one.

[scientist]

more cushion for the pushn'?

[b20swap]

Came across this on another forum that i frequent for info.

This debate sparked at my work place and I figured I'd open it up to discuss here.

Why do people spend money on ARC, Greddy, HK$, spoon, etc products when the same exact product of lesser value works exactly the same but at a fraction of the cost?

Case and point, why do people spend ~1300 on a full titanium 3" turboback versus getting the same 3" turboback in mig-welded mild-steel form for ~400. In what way, shape, or form does the $900 get justified? Most people get name brand for the sake of just getting the name brand (and swag), but what technical advantage do you have? I've debated this more than one time and no one has yet to answer my questions.

Why is a lifetime lasting SUS304 tigged exhaust more substantial than a 10 year lasting mig welded mild steel exhaust?

Why is a 13 lb titanium exhaust more efficient than a 25 lb mild steel exhaust? At what point does 12 lb make a difference and does that 12 lb difference justify the $900 you have to spend?

If you have a cup that holds 16 fl oz, but it's made of gold and you have the same cup that holds 16 fl oz next to it that is made of rusted iron; does one cup hold more water than the other?

Why do people knock eBay intercoolers when they have the same exact dimensions, slightly different aluminum composition (albeit 2 lb heavier), same diameter intercooler piping, same bends, same fin design (bar and plate), with a slightly more oppressive pressure drop; versus a PTE/Greddy/Griffin core? At what point does 88% effiency versus 92% effiency matter? At what point does losing .5 psi pressure drop versus a 1.2 psi pressure drop matter?

Keep in mind, when I ask when does is matter, I mean at what power level? at what tuning level? at what necessity does it become a restriction and when will it ever apply to a street car such as those found on njtuners (like myself).

That is all.. open to a mature debate, please.

that was a good point.....but i can talk about the ebay wastegates......they have a tendency of sticking compared to the turbonetics, tial etc.

[scientist]

but then there is also the TIAL, Turbonetics price vs say Greddy, HKS.

Or NGK spark plugs vs HKS, Greddy, Blitz etc....(By the way those are rebranded NGK or Denso etc)

[SF5]

I never in my life bought HKS plugs for personal use, I only rock NGK Copper plugs. cost 1.98 for 1 and if you know your metals copper is one of the best conductors of electricity and heat.

Suspension I go with the cheapest for simple reason, I'm not competing in no 24hr of Lemans, or some rally. I need something that drops the ride height, rides close to stock, adustable I go with Nex Coil overs or just Some tein or Eibach springs on some GR-2

Ask for turbo, strictly ebay from manifold, bov, fmic, piping, couplers. Alot of guys rocking brand name have gotten licks from one of my ebay powered contraptions,BMW E30,both SR20 240sx,the GT-R, and even the supra rock ebay products hard! Maybe we should get sponsorship! Ebay hit me up!!!

Brand name is just that. You're buying a name and by all means do so if you're comfy. I don't need no warranty cause somewhere in the fine print they'll find a way to escape it. Plus I don't live in a place where we play customs duty and I still don't use brand name parts, BMW going on 3 yrs in October on the same 57Trim ebay turbo soon to bust into the low 11s. GTR going on a year with the T88. We haven't cracked a manifold yet or broken a clamp or anything.

The money saved goes to gas, rum and sewo... oh and lot of food!

[damien]

I second that! As I said I've got decent stuff from Ebay, and we have a particular starlet that is almost half made up of Ebay parts.

And once you're mechanically inclined you will know how to make the best of any grade of equipment...if we can get shit from junkyards and make em work why not ebay? Once you kno what you about its all good

[SF5]

Oh on another note, most ebay stuff are knock offs and are simple reversed engineered from the brand name stuff. Tims sits with a caliper taking dimensions, Tims manufacturing team makes products from those dimensions using materials that meet or exceed the original manufactures specs.

[Evo-Man]

100$ of the time to be less than or match. They simply do not have the R&D budgets to make it better. Its just to make $$$$$$$$$

[scientist]

A lot of stuff don't meet oem specs...but things like tubular SS manifolds will crack regardless of brands. Not all the knock offs on ebay are created equally, Some people have sucess with them, a lot don't.

Like the limited slip differential that eats up axles because poor clearances. Or some of the manifolds that never bolt up just right.
I would never buy a generic engine rebuild kit off ebay, rather stick with OEM parts for that. Up to a point, i would support certain brand names, because if i don't who's gonna create the new products or do the testing?