Why knock-offs aren't as good quality as you think
12-19-2006, 07:42 AM
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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!
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!
12-19-2006, 08:14 AM
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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.
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.
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12-19-2006, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Black_Sunshine
This is news? I thought it was common sense.
apparently not with all the knock-off threads that are popping up!
12-19-2006, 12:56 PM
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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
12-19-2006, 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by THE TECH
The point is that we shouldn't support the knock off market. It will only hurt us all in the end.
12-19-2006, 01:56 PM
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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.
12-19-2006, 01:59 PM
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"+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!
^^Amen to that!
12-19-2006, 08:18 PM
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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.
Anyway, this thread is dumb. Thanks for stating the obvious.
12-19-2006, 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by THE TECH
"+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!
^^Amen to that!
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.
12-20-2006, 05:54 AM
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Originally Posted by taurran
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.
Anyway, this thread is dumb. Thanks for stating the obvious.
But the point is that without the genuine articles, the knock off companies would have nothing to offer.