Biggest difference between cheap and expensive hfc

PR370z

I have ERZ HFC's (china built) and JIC magic Y pipe (japan built) and I have to say the Y pipe looks a lot better built. For me its not a big deal because its something you cant see, and overtime looks all discolored from heat. As far as I know performance wise (cel count) its the same as the expensive ones. I did not have any issues installing or defects on mine. Hope this info helps

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TypeOne

Sure, it might not apply for some things. China and Taiwan supply a large majority of the worlds auto manufactures with parts. In some cases, you can buy directly from the same company overseas that supply an OEM company.

Obviously that isn't feasible for all companies to do that because it requires such large resources to do so, but it is possible.

G Fo12ce

I want cats but I have a concern.

I've heard and seen first hand on my friends S/C 350 that OEM cats can crack on FI and NA cars. Sometimes the particles can be sucked back into the head and score the cylinder walls and rings. How many aftermarket catalytic converter core manufactueres are there? For the ones made here like Berk, Stillen, FI sure there are build quality differences, but how do you know you are not getting the same (for example) Magnaflow core with nicer welds and flanges?

I can't really say for sure, and I don't like to spread misinformation but my friend says he read about people on the 350 forums cracking Berks. I don't know if it's a few people and it's blown out of proportion compared to happy customers or what. Maybe it's the most popular so you hear about more failures?

How does a customer know what kind of heat these things are good for? I think with the well known engine heat the VQ has I'd probably want something designed for a turbo car. I guess we're probably not going to know until people have had these for a while and you just get what you think is the best at the time....

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TypeOne

I think the only real way would be to get the companies information on where their cores are coming from. As a consumer and end user, you would have the right to know.

If you are getting a part made over seas which is being used in other brand parts (some who have or haven't had failures) it would be important to know.

If company X uses parts from manufacturer Y, and company Z also uses Y parts, then X and Z should have similar results as far as longevity. Take into account MSRP for both X and Z parts.. then you'll have something to compare.

'10Anamoly

Build quality for sure, BUT the internal quality of the cats is a bit different. While FI and Berk are better quality than most others it seems, they are not up to the quality of the OEM internals or some German high flow cats. OEM cats are not just marked up junkers, the internals are meant to last. Aftermarket OEM cats will last a while but probably not nearly as long as the OEM. Some European companies sell HFC's with extremely nice quality internals but they run about $900+ per pair. At that price, its either buy a mid grade set and replace as needed or go with the quality ones and leave em on for longer.

That being said, I doubt the Euro versions make any more power, just last longer before burning out.

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