Buying parts online
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I mostly use on-line to locate parts and then either place the order here or phone it in if I have any questions.
I've bought:
- a chip from e-bay; it performed pretty much as expected.
- a used shifter from a Forum guy, which was fine
- a used intake base & runners from a Froum guy, fine too
- various parts from Eckler's, Summit, Jeg's, MAM, CC, TPIS, Tire Rack, Zip and other houses with good results, mostly.
My only reservation is giving out my card ID with venders/people that are not well known. Otherwise I haven't been burned yet with buying parts on line.
I've bought:
- a chip from e-bay; it performed pretty much as expected.
- a used shifter from a Forum guy, which was fine
- a used intake base & runners from a Froum guy, fine too
- various parts from Eckler's, Summit, Jeg's, MAM, CC, TPIS, Tire Rack, Zip and other houses with good results, mostly.
My only reservation is giving out my card ID with venders/people that are not well known. Otherwise I haven't been burned yet with buying parts on line.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Originally Posted by Snake Skinner
How many of us, beside myself, shop online for performance parts and add-ons? If you do, what did you buy and would you do it again?
Frankly though I have recently found that Pep Boys has great parts. They sell the Chicago Rawhide wheel bearings which are the OEM bearings for about $ 100 less than the mail order catalogs
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Jack
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Shelby Township Michigan
I do 99% of my purchasing online. I have had excellent luck with Ebay, Ecklers, CorvetteCentral, Midamerac and Forum members. The trick with Ebay is to make sure you only buy from a reputable buyer with good feedback and rating. Some have had problems with shipping, but that should be spelled out ahead of time. I only use Paypal or I don't buy.
Good luck.
Dino
Good luck.
Dino
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Snake Skinner
How many of us, beside myself, shop online for performance parts and add-ons? If you do, what did you buy and would you do it again?
I got springs, shocks, some poly bushings, TONS of parts for my '81 vette, f-body parts from slp, intakes, cat-back system, catalytic converters, seat covers (obviously from wet okole), timing chains, electric water pump (meziere), plugs/wires, etc etc etc etc and a couple pieces from other members.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Buying from fellow Corvette owners usually goes well. Buying from salvage guys or junkyards usually results in poor condition parts and someone that won't give you the time of day cuz they care more about selling parts than satisfying buyers.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
I have to buy all my parts on line and I take a chance all the time.
My biggest lost
was with a form member* Auto Performance Engineeing*.
I got ripped for $10,750.00 for an engine build that took 8 months and it never got built, plus $675.00 shiping! Beat that figure!!!
Even on the form you can't trust the sponsers
If any one realy cares I will post the facts.
Beware if you live in Detroit Mi Township.
My biggest lost
was with a form member* Auto Performance Engineeing*.
I got ripped for $10,750.00 for an engine build that took 8 months and it never got built, plus $675.00 shiping! Beat that figure!!!
Even on the form you can't trust the sponsers
If any one realy cares I will post the facts.
Beware if you live in Detroit Mi Township.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
[QUOTE=REDC4CORVETTE]I have to buy all my parts on line and I take a chance all the time.
My biggest lost
was with a form member* Auto Performance Engineeing*.
I got ripped for $10,750.00 for an engine build that took 8 months and it never got built, plus $675.00 shiping! Beat that figure!!!
Even on the form you can't trust the sponsers
If any one realy cares I will post the facts.
Beware if you live in Detroit Mi Township.[/QUOTE
My biggest lost
was with a form member* Auto Performance Engineeing*.
I got ripped for $10,750.00 for an engine build that took 8 months and it never got built, plus $675.00 shiping! Beat that figure!!!
Even on the form you can't trust the sponsers
If any one realy cares I will post the facts.
Beware if you live in Detroit Mi Township.
[/QUOTE
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
I buy everything I can on-line.
In fact, I don't think I have bought anything for my Corvette any other way. I've bought things from Eckler's, Mid-Am, Corvette Central, eBay, Corvette America, and various on-line automotive suppliers.
Except my engine rebuild that I had done at McJack's Corvette in Santa Ana, CA. Engine rebuilding and installation is a very personal thing considering it's the heart of your Vette. I'm not dumb enough to do that by on-line ordering.
My best and most trusted supplier of used parts is Vette2Vette. Their parts are top-notch and service is even better. Do yourself a favor and contact Jason and TJ. Tell them BIG JIM sent ya.
BIG JIM
In fact, I don't think I have bought anything for my Corvette any other way. I've bought things from Eckler's, Mid-Am, Corvette Central, eBay, Corvette America, and various on-line automotive suppliers.
Except my engine rebuild that I had done at McJack's Corvette in Santa Ana, CA. Engine rebuilding and installation is a very personal thing considering it's the heart of your Vette. I'm not dumb enough to do that by on-line ordering.
My best and most trusted supplier of used parts is Vette2Vette. Their parts are top-notch and service is even better. Do yourself a favor and contact Jason and TJ. Tell them BIG JIM sent ya.
BIG JIM
Last edited by BIG JIM 54; Dec 23, 2004 at 04:36 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,913
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
I get most of my parts from www.vespeedsolutions.com
My brother runs the site so I get a nice discount.
My brother runs the site so I get a nice discount.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
I think everything I've ever bought for my Vette (and maybe the car itself, as I found it online, but bought it in person) came from online!
- K&N filter off eBay
- Open lid and Corsa from MidAmerica
- Headers & cats from Exotic Muscle
- Camber Brace from R-D's website
- MOMO **** from LTBmotorsports.com
Wow...I never really thought about that before - that's pretty impressive, considering just a few years ago I was completely internet illiterate. 
- K&N filter off eBay
- Open lid and Corsa from MidAmerica
- Headers & cats from Exotic Muscle
- Camber Brace from R-D's website
- MOMO **** from LTBmotorsports.com
Wow...I never really thought about that before - that's pretty impressive, considering just a few years ago I was completely internet illiterate.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Hudson OH
Beat this
I buy almost everthing for the Vette on line. In fact I bought my '88 35th anniversary on e-bay about 18 months ago. IT was not quite as advertised, but I probably did OK. Lots of interior cosmetic issues.I flew down to SC and drove it home. I would caution about buying cars sight unseen. Have a local shop look it over first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
I bought almost everything online that including parts for building my 383 stroker motor and my current turbo project. I bought some stuffs from ebay and directly from vendors. About 10 yrs a go I bought my 93 vette out of the state from a high ends exotic car dealer. I did not see the car in person, only on auto trader,s book. I got the vette and happy. No complain. But again this is a high ends car dealer.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
[QUOTE=randy814u]
Please elaborate, I never heard of this guy. All of teh sponsors of this forum are great people except for a few that are no longer with us for various reasons. But I have never heard of or known Auto Performance Engineering, are you sure they were a forum sponsor and not somebody saying they were?
Originally Posted by REDC4CORVETTE
I have to buy all my parts on line and I take a chance all the time.
My biggest lost
was with a form member* Auto Performance Engineeing*.
I got ripped for $10,750.00 for an engine build that took 8 months and it never got built, plus $675.00 shiping! Beat that figure!!!
Even on the form you can't trust the sponsers
If any one realy cares I will post the facts.
Beware if you live in Detroit Mi Township.[/QUOTE
My biggest lost
was with a form member* Auto Performance Engineeing*.
I got ripped for $10,750.00 for an engine build that took 8 months and it never got built, plus $675.00 shiping! Beat that figure!!!
Even on the form you can't trust the sponsers
If any one realy cares I will post the facts.
Beware if you live in Detroit Mi Township.
[/QUOTE