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Is OEM always better?

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  • #609092
    dandan
    Moderator

      could be another idea for a ETCG1 discussion but i have no idea if this has already been suggested and right now i want too make this a topic of discussion and for everyone too put there thoughts into this and your experiences! when replacing parts on your car is OEM always better?

      the answer too this question for me is no… OEM is not always the best solution, for example with my car just about everything Electrical and even filter wise is AC Delco! now i will admit AC Delco makes good plugs and Sensors… But there are some other things outside manufacturers make better or simply take from what other parts manufacturers make and improve on them, i think the reality is a lot of the time AcDelco is used because its a cheaper alternative and the parts mark up is what makes the parts so expensive, but for the manufacturer they get a major parts cost cut because they pretty much advertize there parts!

      now once again using what i know well as a example and what i know works good that is OEM for this car is spark plugs, and AcDelco makes a very good set of plugs! the ignition timing of the engine is heavily impacted and tuned in the factory buy the plugs, and some cars can be VERY picky about what plugs you use in them, now there are several factors that determine how well a set of plugs may work in your car, form performance too longevity for the spark plugs i usually stick with AC Delco and have the best of luck, however too be honest spark plugs are one of the only things i stick too AcDelco for

      for spark plug wires and some other sensors i really like BWG “Borg and warner.” i am currently running a set of 8.5MM low resistance spark plug wires buy MSD and the engine LOVES them! EVAP solenoid i have replaced in the car replaces what is probably the AcDelco unit with a BWD and i haven’t had a single issue! but i have stuck with original factory OEM iridium AcDelco plugs, though i find NGKs work very well and so do Autolite plugs.

      as far as filtering is concerned i go with K&N and WIX, my car has a cold air intake with a K&N filter, and when i do a oil change a WIX filter is what i prefer, after seeing the insides of a AcDelco oil filter i find that its not too far from FRAM, which lets face it is a poor excuse for a filter, in my opinion something we just slap on the engine too make work and say “yea i change the filter with the oil!” the internal construction of a WIX filter i find is far superior too a AcDelco filter, and K&N filters are even better yet! but at $13 a filter vs about $6 a filter for the WIX and ill stay with the WIX since they do a very good job anyways, maybe if i wanted to take my car too the track id put on a K&N

      as far as Oil is concerned they choose Mobile 1, i find Royal Purple works great if not better than the Mobile 1 does, so does Valvoline it works awesome! in my opinion as long as you are changing your oil every 3,000 miles and avoiding Penziol you should be fine!

      as far as brakes are concerned i really like Raybestos.

      now as far as this goes this is GM, not Honda, Ford, BMW, Fiat and i really think it all depends, Ford likes Valvoline and Autolite, BMW and other German manufacturers seem too like Bosch, and Honda Subaru and other Japanese oreanted makes seem too enjoy NGK.

      once again, what are your thoughts and experiences?

    Viewing 7 replies - 16 through 22 (of 22 total)
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    • #611378
      BobBob
      Participant

        For front end parts I have done well with Moog. They often are provided with grease fittings when the OEM ones were not. I like Modine radiators; fit & function have always been perfect. For belts & hoses I usually buy Gates. I seldom buy OEM parts because they seem to cost twice as much as name brand aftermarket. I avoid things like Chinese aftermarket brake rotors; they often seem to warp.

        I buy my parts at the local NAPA store; their quality and fit have given me no problems; I have had problems with the other chain parts houses. The parts people at NAPA are really good. They seem to know the business better than the other store counter people.

        #611542
        Lorrin BarthLorrin Barth
        Participant

          Before you purchase your next vehicle check to see if there is a forum supporting it. If there is you can read about other owner’s problems, what the repairs consist of and if you buy that vehicle you can be on the lookout for the same problems with your vehicle. Second, if the vehicle has enough of a web following you will see business interested in producing upgraded parts. These are always interesting but sometimes unnecessary. There will also be internet parts houses that go in partnerships with dealers to sell discounted OEM parts.

          So, nowadays there’s more to shopping for that next vehicle than kicking tires. Internet support for your vehicle is invaluable. So, a big active forum is what you should also look for.

          #611885
          Tom DavisTom Davis
          Participant

            I believe alot depends on the part. The warranty on some aftermarket parts along with the cost make them pretty attractive and a sensible solution for a DIY guy like me that has several high mileage vehicles. I can buy a rebuilt alternator with a lifetime warranty for $100 or spend $250 on OEM with a one year warranty. I keep my vehicles for a long time so I might actually use that lifetime warranty. I believe the OEM part should be closer in price and a better warranty.

            #613147
            zerozero
            Participant

              [quote=”Bluesnut” post=107121]With many parts, the OEM and aftermarket parts are manufactured by the same company. The only difference may be ID stamps and packaging.[/quote]

              Some aftermarket “manufacturers” aren’t even that. They can be more accurately described as “reboxers”. They quite literally, according to our parts rep that is, get massive crates of whatever item from the oem manufacturer and simply put them in their own boxes.

              Now alot of items like bearings, suspension and brakes there’s room to improve and the aftermarket has done that with parts that exceed OEM specs. Like MOOG parts are actually over engineered beyond the OEM to last longer. If you buy something like an SKF hub assembly the mounting flange is actually thicker than OEM. And of course any half premium brake line is likely designed to operate beyond OEM spec.

              I guess my point is that if you aren’t using at least OEM quality parts you’re asking for a headache again later down the line, however if it’s described as meets or exceeds OEM it likely has some extra engineering designed into it so it lasts longer or works better.

              #613207
              dandan
              Moderator

                [quote=”Bluesnut” post=107121]With many parts, the OEM and aftermarket parts are manufactured by the same company. The only difference may be ID stamps and packaging.

                Example; and this covers just about every car on the planet. TRW manufactures suspension and steering components for the aftermarket and which is sold over the counter in many parts houses. TRW also supplies those same parts to Ford Motor Company just to name one.
                Six of one; half dozen of the other.

                Same goes for Federal Mogul bearings. Over the counter at the closest parts house by the box or sold by the truckload to Ford, GM, or whomever. Same part; different packaging.[/quote]

                yes lots of times one manufacturer makes different “Brands.” for example the Napa gold filters are in fact Wix filters 🙂

                #613209
                dandan
                Moderator

                  [quote=”DBFSubs21!” post=107193]For front end parts I have done well with Moog. They often are provided with grease fittings when the OEM ones were not. I like Modine radiators; fit & function have always been perfect. For belts & hoses I usually buy Gates. I seldom buy OEM parts because they seem to cost twice as much as name brand aftermarket. I avoid things like Chinese aftermarket brake rotors; they often seem to warp.

                  I buy my parts at the local NAPA store; their quality and fit have given me no problems; I have had problems with the other chain parts houses. The parts people at NAPA are really good. They seem to know the business better than the other store counter people.[/quote]

                  MOOG is good, they make good swaybar end links, Dorman is good as well! the OEM sway bars on my car are made of hollow tubed steel, Dorman went a step up and made the sway bar thicker and out of solid steel rather than tubed… the issue with making the swaybar tubed is that it rusts from the inside out and then they are known for breaking at the end links and you have excessive sway and a clunking noise going through corners… the Dorman sway bar is solid and won’t do this, additionally it is stiffer which means if you want too make your ride a little more responsive in the corners it is a sure fire cheep bang for buck upgrade i plan to do myself.

                  #617603
                  BobbyBobby
                  Participant

                    I use MOOG for upper/lower control arm bushings, ball joints, coil springs, shackle bushings, sway bar bushings & ends, things like this.

                    The stuff that is easy to replace, I use DriveWorks. Ti-rod, drag link, idler arm etc…

                    I compared the DriveWorks drag link to the OEM factory, and it was a lot better, and improved with zerk fittings, as well as castle nuts which is a lot safer to.

                    I guess it all depends on what the vehicle year is. If it is older like my 95 Chevy S10, Aftermarket manufactures can improve the part over time. Newer years it’s going to take a while.

                    I like Mobil 1 for oil, and wix, or Mobil 1 oil filter. They have more pleats then the OEM filter does, and the anti-drainback valves is not metal on metal like OEM.

                    For plugs I go OEM.

                    Please only buy filters from manufactures that actually make them. These brands below have stopped making their own filters and buy from a common manufacturer. This mean $0 budget on R&D to improve, and you get second hand garbage. :ohmy:

                    AC Delco Duraguard
                    Champ (Ecore)
                    Fram Extra Guard
                    Fram Double Guard
                    Fram High Mileage
                    Pennzoil
                    Quaker State
                    STP

                    Mobil 1 even takes time to research the oil bottle lol. Believe it or not, there is a right way to pour the oil. They even put a grip on there oil bottles so you can get a perfect smooth pour.

                  Viewing 7 replies - 16 through 22 (of 22 total)
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