My aftermarket parts experiences
10-02-2005, 01:46 PM
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My aftermarket parts experiences
I have purchased several aftermarket items for my 2005 C6 MS Corvette. I have had limited success with some of them and would like to pass along my experiences.
1. Body color door handles - Easy to install, fit perfectly since they came out of the same injection mold as the originals. Color is slightly off however. Satisfaction rating on a scale of 1-10 = 9.
2. Third light with multiple bulbs (not the body color one). Easy to install, fits perfectly, seems to scratch more easily than O.E. lenses. Satisfaction rating = 9.
3. Stainless steel mesh grill. As I received it, it was trimmed too long. Had to bend it quite a bit to get it up into the area behind the grill. When I found it was too long, I should have taken it back out but was afraid that bending it so severely again might permanently distort it. Supplied tie wraps were too short. Had to go to autoparts store to get longer ones. Thought I could pull it up tight against the black vertical stock grill bars if I put a tie wrap on each one but due to it being too long, it just won't lay totally flat. Satisfaction rating = 3. An added point, it is barely visible so despite the fact it doesn't fit correctly, it's no big deal because you can hardly see it anyway.
4. Stainless steel mesh front fender inserts. A little difficult to install. Despite the fact that I washed down the area where the tape is supposed to stick with lacquer thinner to clean off any dirt or grime, the tape has come loose. They are still more or less in place and visually look terrific but if you push your finger against them, they do move around. Satisfaction rating = 7.
5. Stainless steel letters for Corvette name on rear panel. Once installed they looked good for one day until the guy who washes my car caught his wash mitt in one of the letters and pulled it loose. Contacted the supplier who said that company who makes them (West Coast Corvettes I think) was working on a better adhesive and would replace the parts for me soon. That was two months ago and never heard another word. Satisfaction rating = 0. I took them off.
6. Bought the G.M. chrome plastic letters, but not from G.M. Insanely overpriced at $50 for an item that cost less than $1.00 to make. Letters are just about impossible to stick down in place without distorting them and causing a wrinkle. Satisfaction rating = 0. I don't think I have ever bought anything in my life that was more overpriced than this and was still a piece of crap. Haven't pulled them off yet but I will.
7. Map or book holder that hangs behind either the driver's seat or passenger seat. Easy to install. Perfect size for the Los Angeles Thomas Map Book which is just about impossible to store in any car. Satisfaction rating = 10.
8. Chrome cast license plate frame with Corvette name and crossed flags. Great quality....looks good. But the chrome plastic caps to go over the screws are too small. Tried to force one on and split it. Rating = 7.
Generally speaking, not a very good track record. All of this stuff is grossly overpriced. I don't mind paying these ridiculous prices if the stuff actually works and looks good. But to pay these kind of insane prices for crap really frosts me. I am in the business of making automotive aftermarket parts and if I sold junk like this I would be out of business. But I guess I have no place to complain since I keep going back and paying these preposterous prices for stuff that I know ahead of time is probably going to be junk.
1. Body color door handles - Easy to install, fit perfectly since they came out of the same injection mold as the originals. Color is slightly off however. Satisfaction rating on a scale of 1-10 = 9.
2. Third light with multiple bulbs (not the body color one). Easy to install, fits perfectly, seems to scratch more easily than O.E. lenses. Satisfaction rating = 9.
3. Stainless steel mesh grill. As I received it, it was trimmed too long. Had to bend it quite a bit to get it up into the area behind the grill. When I found it was too long, I should have taken it back out but was afraid that bending it so severely again might permanently distort it. Supplied tie wraps were too short. Had to go to autoparts store to get longer ones. Thought I could pull it up tight against the black vertical stock grill bars if I put a tie wrap on each one but due to it being too long, it just won't lay totally flat. Satisfaction rating = 3. An added point, it is barely visible so despite the fact it doesn't fit correctly, it's no big deal because you can hardly see it anyway.
4. Stainless steel mesh front fender inserts. A little difficult to install. Despite the fact that I washed down the area where the tape is supposed to stick with lacquer thinner to clean off any dirt or grime, the tape has come loose. They are still more or less in place and visually look terrific but if you push your finger against them, they do move around. Satisfaction rating = 7.
5. Stainless steel letters for Corvette name on rear panel. Once installed they looked good for one day until the guy who washes my car caught his wash mitt in one of the letters and pulled it loose. Contacted the supplier who said that company who makes them (West Coast Corvettes I think) was working on a better adhesive and would replace the parts for me soon. That was two months ago and never heard another word. Satisfaction rating = 0. I took them off.
6. Bought the G.M. chrome plastic letters, but not from G.M. Insanely overpriced at $50 for an item that cost less than $1.00 to make. Letters are just about impossible to stick down in place without distorting them and causing a wrinkle. Satisfaction rating = 0. I don't think I have ever bought anything in my life that was more overpriced than this and was still a piece of crap. Haven't pulled them off yet but I will.
7. Map or book holder that hangs behind either the driver's seat or passenger seat. Easy to install. Perfect size for the Los Angeles Thomas Map Book which is just about impossible to store in any car. Satisfaction rating = 10.
8. Chrome cast license plate frame with Corvette name and crossed flags. Great quality....looks good. But the chrome plastic caps to go over the screws are too small. Tried to force one on and split it. Rating = 7.
Generally speaking, not a very good track record. All of this stuff is grossly overpriced. I don't mind paying these ridiculous prices if the stuff actually works and looks good. But to pay these kind of insane prices for crap really frosts me. I am in the business of making automotive aftermarket parts and if I sold junk like this I would be out of business. But I guess I have no place to complain since I keep going back and paying these preposterous prices for stuff that I know ahead of time is probably going to be junk.
Last edited by jimdavis; 10-06-2005 at 09:31 PM.
10-02-2005, 01:55 PM
#2
Racer
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Here's my aftermarket ratings:
- Hurst shifter ... too much rattle. Pulled it out. Rating = 3
- B&M shifter ... awesome. Rating = 10
- MOMO shift ****: rating = 10
- Front fender grills: rating =1 (pulled off as they would not stay in place)
- Z51 emlems on side of care: Rating = 9
- Borla touring exhaust (perfect for me): Rating = 10
- New stereo (speakers, amp, sub): Rating = 9
- WCC chrome wheels: Rating = 10
- WCC carbon fiber console: rating = 9
Not to bad, all in all.
- Hurst shifter ... too much rattle. Pulled it out. Rating = 3
- B&M shifter ... awesome. Rating = 10
- MOMO shift ****: rating = 10
- Front fender grills: rating =1 (pulled off as they would not stay in place)
- Z51 emlems on side of care: Rating = 9
- Borla touring exhaust (perfect for me): Rating = 10
- New stereo (speakers, amp, sub): Rating = 9
- WCC chrome wheels: Rating = 10
- WCC carbon fiber console: rating = 9
Not to bad, all in all.
10-02-2005, 01:59 PM
#3
Instructor
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I was president of B&M for 18 years and although I had nothing to do with your shifter, I am glad to hear you gave it a 10. Your experiences are much better than mine.
I will be installing a Corsa exhaust and Coddington wheels so I am hopeful that I can rate both of those at least a 9.
I will be installing a Corsa exhaust and Coddington wheels so I am hopeful that I can rate both of those at least a 9.
10-02-2005, 02:18 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mine are few but here they are:
1. Chrome Wheel Exchange from West Coast. Excellent quality and customers Service. Rating = 10
2. Hoodliner from Paula. Excellent quality and look. Rating = 10
3. Steel Inserts for rear lettering. Didn't stick well, Drying towels caught on it. Removed them. Rating = 1
4. Soft Epoxy lettering from Mid America. Excellent and easy to install. Rating = 10
5. Splash Guards from Mid America. Easy to install, not very noticable. Rating =8
1. Chrome Wheel Exchange from West Coast. Excellent quality and customers Service. Rating = 10
2. Hoodliner from Paula. Excellent quality and look. Rating = 10
3. Steel Inserts for rear lettering. Didn't stick well, Drying towels caught on it. Removed them. Rating = 1
4. Soft Epoxy lettering from Mid America. Excellent and easy to install. Rating = 10
5. Splash Guards from Mid America. Easy to install, not very noticable. Rating =8
Last edited by rm50; 10-03-2005 at 01:49 AM.
10-02-2005, 04:01 PM
#7
Drifting
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Here's a few:
Kook's headers,cats 10 (Cooled the car off under the hood and in the car) nice power gain all the way to redline
Corsa sports 9 great sound ,no drone at cruise a little too much back burble sometimes
Tuning by Ron Zimmer 10+ No more TM car runs great not one problem,smoother and better throttle response,nice power gain
Alpine Stereo 9 ( Alpine cd/mp3/xm) Xm works great,sound is superb 3 seperate power amps 660watts("there's no replacement for displacement") mbquart referance coaxials,jl subs 8 months works flawlessly.
Escort Radar detector 10 ( Radar detector was my first mod and a must have)
Falken non-runflats 10 improved the ride and handling ,so much smoother
Soon to come B&M shifter and getting the crank pulley pinned.
Cleartastic 0 Fell off in the rain
Kook's headers,cats 10 (Cooled the car off under the hood and in the car) nice power gain all the way to redline
Corsa sports 9 great sound ,no drone at cruise a little too much back burble sometimes
Tuning by Ron Zimmer 10+ No more TM car runs great not one problem,smoother and better throttle response,nice power gain
Alpine Stereo 9 ( Alpine cd/mp3/xm) Xm works great,sound is superb 3 seperate power amps 660watts("there's no replacement for displacement") mbquart referance coaxials,jl subs 8 months works flawlessly.
Escort Radar detector 10 ( Radar detector was my first mod and a must have)
Falken non-runflats 10 improved the ride and handling ,so much smoother
Soon to come B&M shifter and getting the crank pulley pinned.
Cleartastic 0 Fell off in the rain
Last edited by archtop; 10-02-2005 at 04:04 PM.
10-02-2005, 04:04 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by rm50
5. Mud Flaps from Mid America. Easy to install, not very noticable. Rating =8
Corsa exhaust; love the look and sound w/no resonance. Rating=9
Headlight protectors, also from Mid America. Rating=8
10-02-2005, 05:01 PM
#10
Pro
Where did you get the Z51 side emblems and the Momo gear shift ****?
10-02-2005, 07:05 PM
#11
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I got the side emblems from Corvette Dreams before they were busted from GM. The MOMO shift **** came from LTB Motorsport Click Here . I got the black leather and chrome one. It won't fit a stock shifter you'll need to swap out and get a B&M or Hurst (relatively easy install).
10-02-2005, 07:29 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Side vent screens - 0 Heat get to the tape and it doesn't stick Waste of time and money.
Borla 14129 Touring w/X-Pipe - 8 Sounded fine but there was no power gain really. Factory flows rather well. Removed Borla reinstalled factory, looking at headers.
Bose Transplant into 1SA - 10 I am seriously starting to wonder if you Bose haters are hard of hearing or something. Seriously. Sound is crisp, clean, clear and more volume than I will ever need. Even with the top off at 100 MPH.
K&N Filters - 5 No noticeable seat of the pants difference in power. In the C5 days you could actually feel the difference. Not in the C6. I might even rate them lower but my times did in fact increase at the strip. I just am not sure if it is the filters or my getting used to the car. I suspect the latter.
Chrome Wheels from House of Wheels. - 10 Just love them and I didn't get jacked something fierce for the core charge.
Loyds Mats - 10 Very Very nice addition to the floor boards and the rear cargo area. They are actually bigger than the factory mats, thus they cover more teritorry. The logos are damn nice too. They are quite plush. Money well spent.
Borla 14129 Touring w/X-Pipe - 8 Sounded fine but there was no power gain really. Factory flows rather well. Removed Borla reinstalled factory, looking at headers.
Bose Transplant into 1SA - 10 I am seriously starting to wonder if you Bose haters are hard of hearing or something. Seriously. Sound is crisp, clean, clear and more volume than I will ever need. Even with the top off at 100 MPH.
K&N Filters - 5 No noticeable seat of the pants difference in power. In the C5 days you could actually feel the difference. Not in the C6. I might even rate them lower but my times did in fact increase at the strip. I just am not sure if it is the filters or my getting used to the car. I suspect the latter.
Chrome Wheels from House of Wheels. - 10 Just love them and I didn't get jacked something fierce for the core charge.
Loyds Mats - 10 Very Very nice addition to the floor boards and the rear cargo area. They are actually bigger than the factory mats, thus they cover more teritorry. The logos are damn nice too. They are quite plush. Money well spent.
Last edited by cerino2000; 10-02-2005 at 07:51 PM.
10-02-2005, 07:37 PM
#14
Team Owner
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2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor 03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I have only had my car since last Wednesday:
Corsa Sports = 10
C6R Chrome Wheels = 10
Tint 20 percent = 10
Lloyd Mats = 10
GM Bra = 9 Kind of hard to install the first time. I only wanted it for the road trip back to Florida.
I have CAGS and Stainless Door Sills laying on the shelf.
Corsa Sports = 10
C6R Chrome Wheels = 10
Tint 20 percent = 10
Lloyd Mats = 10
GM Bra = 9 Kind of hard to install the first time. I only wanted it for the road trip back to Florida.
I have CAGS and Stainless Door Sills laying on the shelf.
Last edited by OHSIXX; 10-04-2005 at 03:52 PM.
10-03-2005, 01:38 AM
#17
Racer
1, 2, 3 - Kooks headers with Jet Hot, Kooks X-Pipe w/high flow cats & B&B Route 66 - great sound/power increase - 10
4, 5 - Haltech intake and CAI -gives me what we wanted without the risk of sucking up the H2O like the Vortex did on the C5 - 10
6 - 160 Thermostat - who knows, I go with the advise of our tuner and he is great - ?
7 - Tune - Norris Motorsports, includes CAGs bypass - Mike's the man, 394 RWHP hot & humid Florida, expect even better outside with cleaner air - 10+
8 - Priority Start - Once was enough - 0 because we have to do it, 10 for what it accomplishes.
9 - Lloyds carpet - much better than stock - 9
10 - Window Tint, (Bob's Window tint Orlando), excellent work but the 15% may be too dark
11 - Great Lakes visor mount (modified thanks to suggestions from fellow forum members) & TeamSpeed quick connector - 10+
Sitting on the bench (missed putting them on this weekend), Hoen yellow foglights & Hoen high beams. Also sitting on bench is partial aluminum pedals set (certain former forum dealer's "supplier" shipped wrong gas pedal even though I thought I was ordering from former forum vendor).
Next - Cam, retune & engine dressing
4, 5 - Haltech intake and CAI -gives me what we wanted without the risk of sucking up the H2O like the Vortex did on the C5 - 10
6 - 160 Thermostat - who knows, I go with the advise of our tuner and he is great - ?
7 - Tune - Norris Motorsports, includes CAGs bypass - Mike's the man, 394 RWHP hot & humid Florida, expect even better outside with cleaner air - 10+
8 - Priority Start - Once was enough - 0 because we have to do it, 10 for what it accomplishes.
9 - Lloyds carpet - much better than stock - 9
10 - Window Tint, (Bob's Window tint Orlando), excellent work but the 15% may be too dark
11 - Great Lakes visor mount (modified thanks to suggestions from fellow forum members) & TeamSpeed quick connector - 10+
Sitting on the bench (missed putting them on this weekend), Hoen yellow foglights & Hoen high beams. Also sitting on bench is partial aluminum pedals set (certain former forum dealer's "supplier" shipped wrong gas pedal even though I thought I was ordering from former forum vendor).
Next - Cam, retune & engine dressing
10-03-2005, 06:24 AM
#19
Drifting
Front Screen = 5, no issue, just hard to see.
Side Screens = 7, PITA to install, used epoxy.
O.E Concepts C6R wheels = 10
Corsa Sports = 10
B&M Shifter = 10, install easy, makes it a different car.
Speaker upgrades = 8, can only do so much with the Bose
Brite Ideas 44 LED (body Color) = 9, looks great, works!
Southern Car Parts Vette Tray = 9, works fine.
K&N Drop in filters = 9, works and makes me feel better.
Keen Parts rear Corvette letters in black = 9, no problems in 7 months.
Cags defeat = 10, does what its supposed to.
EE Billet Gas and dead pedal = 10, wonderful
HOEN High and Fog light bulbs = 8, very nice
MAD Transparent Top liner = 6, cuts out some sun, but don't think it really keeps it cooler...
SS Inserts License Plate “Best D**n Sports Car Ever Period = Priceless
Side Screens = 7, PITA to install, used epoxy.
O.E Concepts C6R wheels = 10
Corsa Sports = 10
B&M Shifter = 10, install easy, makes it a different car.
Speaker upgrades = 8, can only do so much with the Bose
Brite Ideas 44 LED (body Color) = 9, looks great, works!
Southern Car Parts Vette Tray = 9, works fine.
K&N Drop in filters = 9, works and makes me feel better.
Keen Parts rear Corvette letters in black = 9, no problems in 7 months.
Cags defeat = 10, does what its supposed to.
EE Billet Gas and dead pedal = 10, wonderful
HOEN High and Fog light bulbs = 8, very nice
MAD Transparent Top liner = 6, cuts out some sun, but don't think it really keeps it cooler...
SS Inserts License Plate “Best D**n Sports Car Ever Period = Priceless
Last edited by ttomczak; 10-04-2005 at 06:28 AM. Reason: Forgot some items
10-03-2005, 06:49 AM
#20
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
1. corsa sports (quad 3.5") = 10 great sound, $1,100 installed
2. dynatech headers (hi-flow cats) = 10 awesome sound, great HP gain, $1,695 installed
3. chrome door sills, WCC, $80 (I think) great looking on blk = 10
4. rear inserts, Driver's Seat, $50 = 10 no problems peeling or warpping
5. Bel Pro RX65, e-bay $224 = haven't gotten a ticket since it was put on
6. Lloyds Mats, $99, nicely dresses up the interior = 10
My rating are high, but I'm easy.
2. dynatech headers (hi-flow cats) = 10 awesome sound, great HP gain, $1,695 installed
3. chrome door sills, WCC, $80 (I think) great looking on blk = 10
4. rear inserts, Driver's Seat, $50 = 10 no problems peeling or warpping
5. Bel Pro RX65, e-bay $224 = haven't gotten a ticket since it was put on
6. Lloyds Mats, $99, nicely dresses up the interior = 10
My rating are high, but I'm easy.