"summit brand" question..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 810
Likes: 4
From: Austria
"summit brand" question..
hi all
do you have experiences with the summit brand?`
called summit, and asked them, why they are so cheap..
i was told, the buy huge quantities, direct from the manufacturers, well known companies..
what dou you think?
i think, the parts have good quality...
pros-cons?
do you have experiences with the summit brand?`
called summit, and asked them, why they are so cheap..
i was told, the buy huge quantities, direct from the manufacturers, well known companies..
what dou you think?
i think, the parts have good quality...
pros-cons?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The Summit Racing brand stuff in their catalog is typically made to Summit's own specs. I would think the quality is pretty much as good as the "name brand" stuff, but it may not have all of the design features or engineering of the similar items. There could be substitiutions in materials used or even tolerances.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
A lot of the "Summit" branded stuff that they sell is made by offshore vendors. Mainly from mainland China. Most of it is "OK" to use, but I wouldn't put their engine parts in one of my engines. At least not without knowing exactly where it was made. Take for instance their rocker arms, looking at them I am pretty sure that they come from the same place as the Pro-Forms, or Scorpians or the new CAT line of rocker.....China. Speaking of CAT, they now have a Comp Hi-Tech Rocker knock off, it looks identical to the Comp parts, even marked the same way. They are half the cost of the Comp parts or less. Would I use them? Hmm maybe in something other than a very high power engine with less spring pressures, and something that I wouldn't use at high RPM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
A buddy of mine bought a 418 CID short block that had a "Summit" crank in it. When we took it apart to reassemble it and check specs for our own peace of mind, we found the crank had the "Cola" logo on it in addition to Summit's. I never looked it up, but I'd bet that's a nice savings 
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Slightly off the topic but I've been using my Scorpion rockers for a while now and have been very happy with them. One of the key steps though is that I was able to lay my hands on a set of Scorpion rockers and inspect them before I ever ordered mine. If I hadn't thought they were of acceptable quality I never would have ordered them. SOME off brand items are of very good quality, others certainly are not. Buyer beware certainly applies.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
From: GA
I bought one of the "Summit" torque converters for my 700R4, when I opened the box I was greeted by a pretty converter with a TCI label on it.
I also have a set of their roller tip rockers...I think they are make by Crane.
I also have a set of their roller tip rockers...I think they are make by Crane.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I bought alum wheels from them. Out of 8 that I ordered, there were 3 that didn't have serious casting defects. I called the distributor, asked them whats up. He said it's pretty common that they get jammed in the polisher and chewed up. I said, "well, if I had a bunch of blems to get rid of, I'd pawn them off to Summit too. They probably get you the least profit margin."
He had a good laugh over that. I think I hit the nail right on the head.
He had a good laugh over that. I think I hit the nail right on the head.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Nothing like a true blue american driving an american car dumping no-name chinese replacement parts into it. 
Oh, btw, I think Cola Crankshafts are made here in CA.
Oh, btw, I think Cola Crankshafts are made here in CA.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; Jul 11, 2005 at 12:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
Slightly off the topic but I've been using my Scorpion rockers for a while now and have been very happy with them. One of the key steps though is that I was able to lay my hands on a set of Scorpion rockers and inspect them before I ever ordered mine. If I hadn't thought they were of acceptable quality I never would have ordered them. SOME off brand items are of very good quality, others certainly are not. Buyer beware certainly applies.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
I think everyone pretty much nailed this one. They are private labeling someone else's product in many cases - buying in quantity and negotiating a lower price. I think if you ask who/where it is made, they would tell you - if the punk on the phone knows anything. In the past, I had heard their cranks were Scat, then become Cola. But this is on their forged cranks.
I had also heard their balancers are Pro Race. Decent stuff.
Over the years, I have built 4 406s and only bought one private label part and that was Summit's one piece hardened push rods - with no problems. I used them in a mild motor.
I had also heard their balancers are Pro Race. Decent stuff.
Over the years, I have built 4 406s and only bought one private label part and that was Summit's one piece hardened push rods - with no problems. I used them in a mild motor.