Thoughts on eBay parts?

Stein

Stein

Stein
Basically, after the winter ends I want to start doing stuff to my car.

I'm thinking a grounding supplement kit (definitely not ebay), rear sway bar, maybe strut bars (rear strut bar or rear + front), and maybe a short-shift kit.

Ebay strut bars are cheeaaap, and I don't see why they would be any worse than high-end ones, other than rigidity. They're around $25-30 wish shipping each.

I'd probably look for a 20mm WRX RSB used somewhere. Not sure what they go for on Nasioc or RS25, but I think its about the same as the general eBay price for stock WRX bars.

Now the short-shifter. I have absolutely no idea what makes these better or worse. They're around $100 new, right? Ebay has a bunch of different ones, starting at $32, another at $34+10ship. Are these a no-no? I haven't seen any for sale on any forums lately.

And the grounding kit I would either DIY or get one from Paranoid Fabrications.

 
Most parts on ebay are made using cheap materials, cheap labor from china and with little to no quality control.

Example:

My friend bought one of those cheap shifters off ebay you're asking about. A week later we were in his car and it snapped in half shifting from second to third. Did he place it gently into third? No, but he didn't slam it in either. He didn't have the money to tow it, so we had to jack it up, put it in second and drive it home that way.

I personally wouldn't buy any cheap suspension, brake, steering wheel, short shifter etc. off ebay. Not only for your sake but for the sake of other drivers on the road.

 
I have had a few ebay strut bars and they worked fine, and never had any issues, but I do agree, don't buy anything that could leave you stranded. Ebay does have a lot of name brand stuff too, and a lot of the time it is A LOT cheaper than it usually is, just have to watch a while

 
I bought my exhaust off ebay, it was the cobb replica, and it works nice and a lot of people have had good luck with them, but that is the only part id ever buy off ebay for my car. Just get the kartboy short shifter and know you're getting a good part, not having to worry about it snapping in half like someone mentioned in this thread already.

 
i got my strut bar on esbay for cheap. made by apc, but it looks purrdy. and i have a grounding kit i'll give you if you don't mind blue

other than that, buy the important stuff from reputable dealers. i got a maf adapter for my sentra off ebay, didn't fit, one for my ranger, didn't fit. only buy name brand stuff on ebay... and as far as shifter, kartboy ftw

 
I'm definitely against buying critical parts on Ebay....
Click to expand...
Yeah, and I know why.
default_biggrin.png


 
So definitely not ebay shifter. That sounds reasonable
default_banana.gif
.

Ty, a grounding kit is just wires that help ground electrical circuits. Some people say that it helps smooth out the shutters at low engine speeds. Others say that it does absolutely nothing. Luckily, its only like $20-30.

i-wagon, blue is fine
default_additional_sillylol.gif
.

 
i'm with the second poster. i wouldnt get a no-name ebay part for something crucial, but something like a strut bar isn't a big deal. the only problem with that actual part is that it'll probably be cheap and flexible, and that's just what they're not supposed to do. keep in mind the rear strut bar is going to cut into your cargo area, and a front sway bar may actually be more helpful to handling than a rear one, contradictory to what is best for hondas and most other cars.

keep in mind that a lot of brand name parts are sold on ebay, and theres no quality difference there between one that would be on a forum/website and ebay. i got my headers from ebay but they're still Tomei headers.

 
i'm with the second poster. i wouldnt get a no-name ebay part for something crucial, but something like a strut bar isn't a big deal. the only problem with that actual part is that it'll probably be cheap and flexible, and that's just what they're not supposed to do. keep in mind the rear strut bar is going to cut into your cargo area, and a front sway bar may actually be more helpful to handling than a rear one, contradictory to what is best for hondas and most other cars.
keep in mind that a lot of brand name parts are sold on ebay, and theres no quality difference there between one that would be on a forum/website and ebay. i got my headers from ebay but they're still Tomei headers.
Click to expand...
That's probably what I'll do then (not the brand-name stuff, those are still too expensive
default_banana.gif
)

 
That's probably what I'll do then (not the brand-name stuff, those are still too expensive
default_wink.png
)
Click to expand...
I'm telling you, if you keep your eyes open, you can find brand name stuff for really cheap sometimes!!!

 
ebay parts are garbage. it's worth not having a part for a while longer than having a crappy part on your car. most exhaust pieces are bad too. people always argue that part too, "it's just piping". poor fitment and welds can really screw up the plan. ryan13 had ebay headers and they cracked. as far as the parts you're looking at...strut bars are cheap for a reason, they don't do a whole lot. get bigger sway bars, that will stiffen up your ride considerably. i buy a lot of wiring crap off ebay however, most of it is perfectly fine. that stuff is cheap to make to begin with, it just has a huge markup because no one else really wants to deal with it.

 
keep your eye out for used brand name parts on there too. i got a set of coilovers for my old si for basically the cost of shipping because nobody else bid on them.

 
keep your eye out for used brand name parts on there too. i got a set of coilovers for my old si for basically the cost of shipping because nobody else bid on them.
Click to expand...
yeah on the other hand brand names are brand names. ask stinate about his sway bars. a lot of people put parts they don't know about on ebay assuming they'll get what they're worth.

 
I guess since I'm not planning on buying anything for a few months, it couldn't hurt to wait for name-brand parts.

Is there any specific RSB that's worth the extra cost over a stock WRX one?

 
I guess since I'm not planning on buying anything for a few months, it couldn't hurt to wait for name-brand parts.
Is there any specific RSB that's worth the extra cost over a stock WRX one?
Click to expand...
i mean, probably, but one of the best parts of your car is that stock takeoffs from more performance oriented models will make a big difference. if a wrx RSB fits yours, check out getting an sti one then. make sure you get good mounts and endlinks for whatever new RSB you get, since yours are probably weak and shot anyway

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top