Why is OEM so great?

[2GEffect6]

I thought oem parts were just replacement stock parts so why does everyone say theyre so great? they look the same as stock

 

[H4G64T]

Are you serious?

OEM IS STOCK

Original
Equipment
Manufacturer

 

[1990AWD]

OEM parts are stock replacement parts, but they are made by the original manufacturer, which in most cases is Mitsubishi. They're so great because they are guaranteed to fit and work great and are much higher quality than jobber (crappy parts stores) parts.

 

[gt35rx]

I see it as a legitimate question. A few other forums recommend aftermarket parts because of the high price of OEM parts. Just review the aftermarket parts and their quality. Some aftermarket companies provide the same parts that you receive at the Mitsubishi dealer just re-boxed, like NSK T.O.B. Sometimes your better off with buying OEM parts because of the bad reviews of the cheaper aftermarket stuff.

 

[carfree123]

But to the OP. usually the original parts are the way to go unless you want a 'custom setup'. As stated, your guarantied a perfect fit and in most cases, better quality.

 

[jahjahSQC]

I see it as a legitimate question. A few other forums recommend aftermarket parts because of the high price of OEM parts. Just review the aftermarket parts and their quality. Some aftermarket companies provide the same parts that you receive at the Mitsubishi dealer just re-boxed, like NSK T.O.B. Sometimes your better off with buying OEM parts because of the bad reviews of the cheaper aftermarket stuff.

As a side note, just because you see a part with a mitsu diamond on it or something like that doesn't mean its correct. Sometimes dealers supercede part numbers when they decide to slightly change how a part works or the funcionality or whatever.
Guess what they do with the old stock (which is now the inferior part)? Sometimes they sell it to the aftermarket!. I've seen a bunch of times with O2 sensors and TPS and many different miscellaneous electronics through the years. You pull it out of the box and it has a Toyota label and part number on it, but that part number is old and not the most current available!

 

[95talongirl]

I thought oem parts were just replacement stock parts so why does everyone say theyre so great? they look the same as stock

Because OEM parts ACTUALLY FIT correctly.

 

[ed1380]

Because most of us don't like body kits. We prefer function to form. We think the stock body looks better than body kits. Etc.

Basically, even if I found a kit I liked, I would not want to spend 2 grand to get it fitted, painted, and all. And then end up coming out heavier than stock. Especially if said kit is not made from some kind of poly material.

how is that even related to this thread?

OP was asking why use OEM timing belt, tob, main and rod bearings, etc. instead of brands like TOP, Felpro, King, etc.

1990AWD and gt35rx andswered the question right.

I use quality aftermarket parts because most of the time OEM parts are made by another company and repackaged.

Felpro makes good headgaskets, that hold up just as good as OEM and for $30 you cant go wrong

Cleavite ACL and King make good engine bearings. speaking of bearings, I bought some bearings from a company called hi-tech. I though it was going to be some crap bearings, but once I opened it up, it literally said ACL on each bearing.

and etc, etc, etc about how good parts are available and it doesnt have to be OEM

 

[skatershawn]

how is that even related to this thread?

OP was asking why use OEM timing belt, tob, main and rod bearings, etc. instead of brands like TOP, Felpro, King, etc.

1990AWD and gt35rx andswered the question right.

I use quality aftermarket parts because most of the time OEM parts are made by another company and repackaged.

Felpro makes good headgaskets, that hold up just as good as OEM and for $30 you cant go wrong

Cleavite ACL and King make good engine bearings. speaking of bearings, I bought some bearings from a company called hi-tech. I though it was going to be some crap bearings, but once I opened it up, it literally said ACL on each bearing.

and etc, etc, etc about how good parts are available and it doesnt have to be OEM

Some one mentioned something about paint some where so it went off topic slightly.

But as far a replacing parts with the OEM parts, i think most people prefer to get OEM parts like, water pump, oil pump, alternator, TPS sensors, CAS, and shit like that, rather than the sh*t you find at Autozone for a faction of the price! But for headgaskets and bearings, ect. I would upgrade!

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

how is that even related to this thread?

OP was asking why use OEM timing belt, tob, main and rod bearings, etc. instead of brands like TOP, Felpro, King, etc.

1990AWD and gt35rx andswered the question right.

I use quality aftermarket parts because most of the time OEM parts are made by another company and repackaged.

Felpro makes good headgaskets, that hold up just as good as OEM and for $30 you cant go wrong

Cleavite ACL and King make good engine bearings. speaking of bearings, I bought some bearings from a company called hi-tech. I though it was going to be some crap bearings, but once I opened it up, it literally said ACL on each bearing.

and etc, etc, etc about how good parts are available and it doesnt have to be OEM

Being that this is in the appearance forum, I would guess the OP is referring to cosmetics.

 

[skatershawn]

Being that this is in the appearance forum, I would guess the OP is referring to cosmetics.

Or he figured Stock looking parts should would fall under appearance! hahaha

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Or he figured Stock looking parts should would fall under appearance! hahaha

I wouldn't doubt that either.

 

[jahjahSQC]

I use quality aftermarket parts because most of the time OEM parts are made by another company and repackaged.

No. not really. Some of the time, sure. But definitely not most of the time. I'm not saying quality aftermarket parts are not in the same arena as quality as OEM though.

 

[TSi Kid]

Sweet jesus. What's with all these troll threads? Because no one can be this ignorant...

 

[agentorange313]

Mitsu has spent, 1000's of hours and countless dollars on Research and Development (R and D) on OEM equipment. The time and effort put into making the best quality product for our vehicles does not come at cheap price.

That alone should be warrant enough to purchase OEM over anything else.

Now as far as the term aftermarket, yea there are tons of aftermarket products that surpass OEM, but this is in the case of performance parts. For example there is no stock intercooler can transfer heat as well as lets say a ETS or a VRSF intercooler. Now these parts exceed the needs of the manufacture, thats why they are better.

As far as timing components (water pump belt etc) these parts, in the aftermarket world are most likely copies. Copies can meet the expectation of most of the market, but when you are building a DSM with high HP, piece of mind is needed. There have been many accounts of aftermarket timing components failing prematurely. (I am talking about a over the counter napa belt, or a napa brand waterpump, just using napa as an example). Like in the example above, Gates does make a really great timing belt for us, but its far exceed the cost of a napa belts and a Mitsu oem one.

Read the first two posts:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/59644-napa-timing-belt.html

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Sweet jesus. What's with all these troll threads? Because no one can be this ignorant...

They are trying to learn to troll as good as you Jordan, but they fail.

 

[2GEffect6]

The only reason i asked is because the way everyone uses oem they make it sound like its changing the car i know what it stands for its just the way ive seen everyone use it that was confusing

 

[silicosys4]

OEM is great, and is usually a good assurance of quality. However, an OEM 4g63 awd dsm is putting down 160hp or so to all four tires. The majority of the people here are not putting down OEM power, so there comes a point at which you have to decide how much you trust a part thats engineered for a certain level of performance, and why you'd go a different route.
Case in point,

the head bolts that most people pull out as soon as they start making any kind of power are..... OEM.
The piston rods that people replace to make big power.....OEM.
The cams that people replace with bigger ones......OEM.
The stock awd dsm transmission that's pretty much made of glass....OEM.
Clutches that people upgrade with south bend, act, etc....OEM.
etc...etc....

So I don't necessarily jump on the OEM bandwagon no questions asked, since they are very well engineered, and a lot of parts on a built engine are not stressed any more than a stock engine. But OEM is still only engineered to take/make a certain amount of power/abuse. Sometimes OEM is overengineered, HOORAY!! like our crankshafts, but don't let people tell you that OEM is the only way to go.

 

[92AWDHX40]

My oem intake gasket fit well versus a non oem part.

 

[gt35rx]

As a side note, just because you see a part with a mitsu diamond on it or something like that doesn't mean its correct. Sometimes dealers supercede part numbers when they decide to slightly change how a part works or the funcionality or whatever.
Guess what they do with the old stock (which is now the inferior part)? Sometimes they sell it to the aftermarket!. I've seen a bunch of times with O2 sensors and TPS and many different miscellaneous electronics through the years. You pull it out of the box and it has a Toyota label and part number on it, but that part number is old and not the most current available!

There is truth to this, that's why I insist on checking the reviews of said aftermarket parts. That way you know how well that aftermarket part has held up. Great example of an aftermarket company that makes great replacement parts is GMB. They have made great water pumps and timing components. Both of which I have used and have never had any issues with. There are some components that I will choose OEM parts no matter what, like the timing tensioner. You just have to search on certain parts and can't skip out on longevity, even tho most parts companies have skipped out on this. Parts are no longer made to last as they used to, Even OEM.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Exactly a lot of parts i use on my car arent oem, but the parts with the engine build are, except for the water pump everything else is just about oem, and some things you can only get oem.

 

[dffusion20]

Sweet jesus. What's with all these troll threads? Because no one can be this ignorant...

This is how you built up those rep points? That was really helpful.

 

[PurpleHazel]

re: OEM vs. Parts store....

Sometimes your parts store part is your OEM part. Delphi fuel pump in your GM for example. The part you get at the parts store is the exact part you would get at the dealership. As well as KYB, Import Direct, etc. OEM suppliers don't only supply dealerships & manufacturers, your parts stores are included in some cases as well. Fel-Pro, Gates, Wix, Moog etc., often exceed OE standards with improvements over OE without going "performance", with problem solvers (Fel-Pro 3.8 problem solver intake kits fly off the shelves).

Yes, there are a lot of crappy parts in parts stores . IMHO, Autozone is the Dollar General of parts. But even DG carries some name brand items. . You don't always have to pay twice as much to get your "actual OE part". Just doing a little research can save you a ton - sometimes - and get you the same exact part the dealer.

 

[Nasty Dream]

OEM has very high quality control standards, and the highest quality materials. Thoroughly tested parts. And if there was an issue where a part kept failing, they would revise it.

I had an external door handle break on my car and found it was pretty expensive. I found one place selling them for pretty cheap locally, and so when I went to pick it up he tells me it's not OEM, it's aftermarket "just as good", he told me. There was a little dimple in the middle of the handle. An imperfect part right off the bat.

Well, I went with it anyway, and it just feels very cheap when I lift the handle, like it could break any minute. The plastic feels cheaper, the spring feels cheaper. I'm scared to even use it (passenger side). Again, it has a dimple in the handle as well (cosmetic flaw), not only that but it doesn't look 100% right (it's more flat). I'll probably replace it with an OEM part from the junkyard. Lesson learned.

 

[jnj]

OEM parts means more reliability in what you have in your car, and to keep it as stock as possible but still have power behind it is awesome. You know those parts will work because they are stock and any parts that you need that aren't OEM should be by a reputable company, so no name brands should not be used.