Why knock-offs aren't as good quality as you think
 

Thanks to speaking with some engineers at PRI, I've got some new info for you guys.

Obviously, knock off parts are cheaper. There are obvious reasons why, and other less obvious reasons why, and why they're bad!

Obvious:
1) they're copies. Problem is, they're not exact copies, and no R & D was done on the parts to ensure they were in fact good.
2) They're made in china. Cheap labor=cheap parts.

Not Obvious:
1) Materials quality: Chinese "stainless" steel, you'll notice, is never numbered. Quality materials used by name brand manufacturers use materials held to strict quality standards. Numbered stainless steel, such as 321, 304, etc. are used in construction. Chinese/Taiwanese, etc. parts badge their products as stainless steel. Problem is, various companies have tested various parts and found the material quality ranging from 321 SS all the way into the 400s (bathroom quality stainless) all in the same length of tubing/steel on a single part! The fact of the matter is, the range of stainless steel quality from China is so huge, that nobody buys steel from china for these reasons.
Also, many times the thickness of the material isn't up to par for the specific use of the part! Thin walled material for turbo manifolds or headers is BAD!
2) Welds: They look good, don't they? But welds don't tell the true story behind the quality of a weld. Many chinese parts are welded twice over. That is, one line of weld is covered by another. With stainless steel parts, many times they use mild steel weld...which will RUST AWAY! The weld quality is horrible, and is suceptible to cracking under heat, which often happens.
3) Fitment. Many, many times, copies of other parts may look exact, but rarely is the fitment as good as the name brand part.



I know you guys don't want to spend full dollar on parts. I don't blame you. But take this into consideration next time you're looking at the $200 set of headers on ebay. It may 'look' good to you. But I can guarantee you, it isn't.

And DO NOT buy a part badged as stainless steel if they cannot name the number alloy they used! That means it could vary hugely!

Who is PRI?

PRI= Performance Racing Industry.

Think SEMA but without all the crap. PRI is a hardcore racing show. Good mix of equipment companies, safety manufacturers, performance, tire, etc were there.

good info

I happen to like the quality of my stainless steel toilet. :icon8:







:D

I love replicas =)

I like the precision of a 12 year old Chinese girl.

I hope you're talking about exhausts. :icon8: :icon18:

This is news? I thought it was common sense.

^^Amen brotha!

apparently not with all the knock-off threads that are popping up!

why all the hate. If you dont like the knock offs dont buy it. It doesnt hurt you that others are buyin it. Let them buy it and try it out. If it doesnt work out then thats their loss not yours. At $700 even the knock off is not cheap. Im sure it has some quality

The point is that we shouldn't support the knock off market. It will only hurt us all in the end.

no, it doesn't. I think I made that pretty clear.

+1. companies will get their products copied, that they spent money on R & D, and they'll decide it's not worth it any longer to make products for a market when they market just buys the cheap copies. They'll stop developing all together. I've seen it happen and it will continue to happen if we don't start acting responsible.

I would agree with the above statements on performance mods such as headers, exhaust and intakes. However, I would have no problem spending half the money to buy a replica wing/sideskirt/bumper.

"+1. companies will get their products copied, that they spent money on R & D, and they'll decide it's not worth it any longer to make products for a market when they market just buys the cheap copies. They'll stop developing all together. I've seen it happen and it will continue to happen if we don't start acting responsible."


^^Amen to that!

Many "authentic" parts are cheaply built as well, but outrageous prices are still charged for the names alone. Some "knockoff" parts have actually been proven to be better quality than the originals... take Seibon and Veilside for instance.

Anyway, this thread is dumb. Thanks for stating the obvious.

What R&D do you speak of besides only Strosek doing an actual tunnel test? Last I remember every aftermarket vented hood looks the same on a Civic and any rice you can think of. :icon16:

And every kit looks the same but molded to the car. Nismo side skirts looks the same on a TSX. Nismo rear skirt looks like a Corolla. :icon16:

You think Seibon and Veilside are better than what? The Seibon hoods that I have dealt with are definitely not anything to brag about. I have only dealt with Veilside hoods on other cars and their bodykit parts are just so so.

But the point is that without the genuine articles, the knock off companies would have nothing to offer.