06-28-2007, 10:47 PM
I would agree it definitely depends on what part is being replaced and sometimes OEM is the weaker of the two choices.
example, in my heavy chevy oem idler arm is a known steering part to be prone to weaking much quicker then all the other steering components, and Moog at least for my breed of car is the brand most go with for everything steering, given though idler arm is still weak point but still a bit better durability and def CHEAPER going with Moog.
But when it comes to sensors I stick to OEM (especially with the Optispark, if anyone on here knows LT1s) and even learned my lesson a while back had a niehoff or whatever aftermarket brand Ignition module and sure enough when my car wouldnt start that ended up being the fault, luckily Advance Auto let me return the faulty part and actually upgrade to the AC Delco version so I didn't have to pay in full for it again.
As for dealers, def depends (only for buying parts, never would I have them actually do work on my ride!) for example there is one guy that is known on my impala ss specific forum for actually usually being cheapest way to get any OEM GM part to us forum members, although RMS Auto is also pretty good probably how I will go about putting together a Frankenstein exhaust for my car
example, in my heavy chevy oem idler arm is a known steering part to be prone to weaking much quicker then all the other steering components, and Moog at least for my breed of car is the brand most go with for everything steering, given though idler arm is still weak point but still a bit better durability and def CHEAPER going with Moog.
But when it comes to sensors I stick to OEM (especially with the Optispark, if anyone on here knows LT1s) and even learned my lesson a while back had a niehoff or whatever aftermarket brand Ignition module and sure enough when my car wouldnt start that ended up being the fault, luckily Advance Auto let me return the faulty part and actually upgrade to the AC Delco version so I didn't have to pay in full for it again.
As for dealers, def depends (only for buying parts, never would I have them actually do work on my ride!) for example there is one guy that is known on my impala ss specific forum for actually usually being cheapest way to get any OEM GM part to us forum members, although RMS Auto is also pretty good probably how I will go about putting together a Frankenstein exhaust for my car
*1996 Impala SS* - 139k mi
Interior:
Autometer 3pod A-pillar gauges (Volts, Oil temp, Oil Press), Galaxy 949 tuned CB radio, Palomar 450HD CB amp
Audio:
Pioneer REV-series speakers all-around, Alpine F345 Amp, Kenwood MP5032 CD Player
Performance/Exterior:
Home-made K&N CAI, Clear corner lenses, Silverstar turnsignal bulbs, brighter bulbs all-around
Interior:
Autometer 3pod A-pillar gauges (Volts, Oil temp, Oil Press), Galaxy 949 tuned CB radio, Palomar 450HD CB amp
Audio:
Pioneer REV-series speakers all-around, Alpine F345 Amp, Kenwood MP5032 CD Player
Performance/Exterior:
Home-made K&N CAI, Clear corner lenses, Silverstar turnsignal bulbs, brighter bulbs all-around