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This is really the issue. When a replacement part cost is much lower than expected, you are probably buying JUNK. And, the American vendors are buying 'cheap junk' BECAUSE most folks have their priorities set on MONEY instead of quality.
The old adage is still true today:
"You get what you pay for."
I always ask if there are optional choices for a similar part. And, I NEVER go to 'The Zone', unless it is for some incidental part that is identical to what everyone else sells. If you want "cheap", that's what you will get. Then when it craps out, remember that it was YOUR choice.
Sensors, pressure regulators are junk "in the zone"
Unfortunately even old traditional USA name brands are now made in China and are lower quality.
Or......when I buy parts for my 93 RX-7, all of the high quality parts are from Japan, with the instructions and warrantee in Japanese. Try setting up the AFR, boost and timing on my Apexi computer using instructions in Japanese!
Coming attraction made in the USA of 37 hrc chrome moly steel.
This is one of my personal set. Plan to make most out of 30 hrc, stock will be 4140 or 4150. This cap for 1330 slip yoke.
I will pay more for American made, but I also expect higher quality. I bought a genuine GM master cylinder for my '69 a few years ago and it had a made in china sticker. It lasted a few years. Really disappointed. I now have a ebay repop that is a china casting but USA machining and parts (per the seller/manufacturer). It works and looks good.
Got these in a few months ago from Chevrolet. They're 68-73 license lamp lenses, made in China. I will say that at least the markings on them are the same as they were originally. For a while GM was sourcing them from Korea, and the SAE markings were different.
For years, everything from GM was either US or Canadian made. After NAFTA, a lot of GM parts started coming from Mexico, especially electrical parts. In the last 10 years, more and more GM parts have been coming from China and Korea.
Originally Posted by cagotzmann
The best example are brake calipers. Even USA based companies have most of the work out sourced over seas. And most of the marketed new calipers leak in 4-5 years while the original OEM units lasted 15+ years.
OEM calipers lasting 15+ years, in what universe?
I had to replace all 4 calipers on my 74, in 79. I traded the 74 in on a new 81, that for 3 years was my wife's daily driver. One caliper was replaced under the extended warranty, and the others, not long after the warranty expired.
The stainless steel sleeved calipers came out in the mid 70's, because the the OEM ones always corroded and leaked.
I think Cardone, and some of the other big national rebuilders, are rebuilding parts overseas, but the calipers from most Corvette vendors are rebuilt here. I know all of Lonestar Calipers' calipers are rebuilt in the plant in Canton TX. They supply calipers to most of the Corvette vendors.
OEM calipers lasting 15+ years, in what universe?
I know all of Lonestar Calipers' calipers are rebuilt in the plant in Canton TX. They supply calipers to most of the Corvette vendors.
I Guess I must be lucky my 78 first brake calipers in 94.
As for Lonestar here is my thoughts on this brand.
5 wasted o-ring and 4 wasted lip seal. replaced after 4 years with some lasting 1-2 years. Now trying Wilwoods. Haven't had them long enough to see if these fare better. Coming on year 3
Last edited by cagotzmann; Mar 28, 2017 at 08:02 PM.
My son and I replaced the water pump on his C-5. We made sure that the replacement pump was AC Delco. When we got the part, it was stamped AC Delco and made in China. Jerry
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
