Chinese Parts......

[Coldsong]

So I was bored in between classes today and decided to go browsing through ebay to see what kind of junk was available today and as usual I was bombarded by sellers located in hong kong trying to sell knock off Chinese built parts.

But one thing did catch my eye and got me thinking a bit. While I dont need them at all there were "silicone radiator hoses" for a decent price and shipping. So I was wondering actually how bad are the Chinese built parts?

Just wondering every ones opinions and kind of bored waiting for lab to start lol....

[98outbackpdx]

well if you look at the made in labels most parts come from Asia (China, Taiwan, Korea) and Mexico.

[Reason]

Yea even some of those nice "JDM" parts are made in China, it's funny. It's cheaper to have children and homeless people make parts.

[chuckthefuk]

Non-mechanical chinese parts usually don't fail. Silicon hoses which are just multi-layered silicon is very durable. If you do choose to purchase these hoses inspect them before they go on your car. Its very easy to miss a knicked/cut/cracked hose.

OBX is one of the biggest and long lasting Chinese vendors to hit then pages of your local import magazines and ebay. I have seen these rad hoses hold up to +350AWHP without sweating, expanding or cracking.

The quality of the layer or ply is questionable compared to the big boys. Most Chinese brands will have 3 layers/ply's

Example :

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/DSC04982JPG-1.jpg

This is a 3 layer silicon hose with a outer protection layer.
Some companies change the thickness of the ply, quality of the silicon, different fibers to reinforce the hose.

As well most Chinese manufactures don't CUT the hose to spec. The bends are 100% most of the time but it seems that the hoses are 1-4" long then they need to be. Time to pull the exacto-knife.

Also. Nothing in Japan says JDM. NOTHING! Got to love ebay! Oh and don't buy those JDM STi Rad Caps. 1.3bar my ASS!

Hope this helps.

-Chuck

[chuckthefuk]

well if you look at the made in labels most parts come from Asia (China, Taiwan, Korea) and Mexico.

True for most but real companies such as Greddy/Trust (not the ebay greddy ) - HKS - Tomie, etc = Made in Japan

You have to pay for quality. An ebay wrx header will crack or have fitment issues compared to a real Japan made $500+ header.

[nipper]

Buying Chinese auto parts on ebay is just asking for trouble. Unlike chinese parts that are supplied to OE, they dont have to pass any quality tests.


nipper

[Coldsong]

Chuck thats the kind of info that I like to hear. Thanks for the input. Same with your comment to nipper.

[chuckthefuk]

Buying Chinese auto parts on ebay is just asking for trouble. Unlike chinese parts that are supplied to OE, they dont have to pass any quality tests.


nipper

You say trouble but again if its not mechanical it usually does not fail.. The quality of the item is questionable, but it will not fail. Example: Borla UEL knock off headers. 3 Years and running with no cracks. They even survived going head first into another car.

Quality Example:

OBX (Chinese) Example [Merge collector for turbo manifold]
Take note on how the merge collectors have been welded and ground down (HA!)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/DSCN0055-1.jpg
http://www.tuningdepot.com/ebay/images/f10570-41ssc.jpg

Japan made manifold with GT47 flange. [Merge collector for turbo manifold]
Take note on how the merge collector had been cleanly ground down and welded properly. Better flow path when quality is applied.
http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/images/products/horsepowerfreaks/GT47_MergeCollector.jpg


Here is a perfect example of quality made parts.

On the left [Chinese Merge collector] on the right [American made CNC Tig welded]
This is very similar to Borla UEL knock-offs vs. Real Borla's
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/03/htup_0804_18_zhonda_header_comparisontri-1.jpg

You can see that the chinese collectors are just a flange welded from the outside around the runner. Compared to the American made unit which has a proper tig weld from the inner flange to the runner.

Keep it sleezy!
-Chuck

[ouch1011]

My OBX header actually had the welds ground and smoothed down. I remember because I was really shocked that they were lol