Drawback to cheap parts?

[swaq]

Hey, I usually hang out at i-Supra but recently there hasn't been much activity and I need an answer in a timely manner.

Are there any potential problems with buying a cheap part from AutoZone? I need a fan clutch for a 1987 Supra N/A and would rather spend $40 than $80+. Is there a life expectancy difference? What would the life expectancy be? I'm hoping to keep this car alive for about another 4-6 years if possible.

 

[SupraMario]

well, i have bought 2 slave and 1 master clutch clyinders from autozone the master has been doing very well for 1 year time and the 1st slave was out in 6months. the new one has been doing its job for some time. so im happy.

 

[shaeff]

for critical parts (nice to see you here on SM, i rarely go to I-supra now because it's a ghost town ) i'd go to the dealer. think of it this way. buy it once from the dealer and have it last another 10-15 years, or buy it several times from autozone and have it fail until you surpass the cost of what you'd have paid from the dealer. then you'll with you just bought an OEM one anyway...

-shaeff

 

[tlo86]

you get what you pay for

and, don't buy anything made from china.

 

[swaq]

Where would be the cheapest place to get the OEM fan clutch? I found it here for $108.42 (free shipping) http://www.partsandaccessories.com/sitemap/mpn~33~toyota~fan_clutch.html , I'm assuming that is the right part number? Also, I'm still curious how long a "Torqflo" brand fan clutch would be expected to last (that's the one from AutoZone). Is there any other aftermarket one that would match/exceed OEM quality that is cheaper than OEM price? Thanks for your quick responses!

 

[suprabad]

At AutoZone it's all made in China. Oh...and by the way the absolute worst thing you can buy from them is brake pads and especially rotors...total garbage! Their clutches are also shit.

 

[shaeff]

check out jay marks/champion toyota in our vendor's section. call them, they have wicked good prices!

-shaeff

 

[tlo86]

At AutoZone it's all made in China. Oh...and by the way the absolute worst thing you can buy from them is brake pads and especially rotors...total garbage! Their clutches are also shit.

you could not be more right

 

[mrnickleye]

I've read that a 4runner clutch is better/heavy duty than the stock supra one, for the same $$.

 

[supra90turbo]

no, the tundra V8 fan clutch is the one he wants.
if youre replacing a stock part, always try to upgrade.

i have a place near me, used to be Foreign AutoPart, but now its Autopart International.
they sell the best stuff. i bought an Aisin slave cylinder, and for my ex's FC RX7 i bought an Aisin front caliper.

i'd say find a place like this who sells oem toyota parts in a different box for cheap. i dont deal with autozone unless i need stupid little things.

 

[swaq]

What is the part number on the Tundra V8 fan clutch? Is there a difference between the Supra fan clutch for the turbo and non-turbo? I want to know that whatever I get will fit.

 

[drunk_medic]

Damn.. there was a thread on I-Supra about this a long time ago - NickM posted it.

 

[swaq]

Is this the one you were talking about? (just did a search) http://i-supra.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/312608008/m/8916086073/

 

[drunk_medic]

Yeah, that's the post. There was another one, where Nick M had a pic of his instrument cluster - he was doing well over 100 mph and his temp gauge was on a nice n cozy low-normal temp.

 

[swaq]

Does the Tundra V8 fan clutch fit with the N/A engine or only with the turbo? Is there a difference between the fan clutches on the N/A and turbo engines? I need to get this soon, thanks.

 

[GrimJack]

Many parts I'll buy cheap versions of without any worries. There are definite exceptions, however - like clutch master and brake cylinders, for instance. For some reason, all the aftermarket people don't seem to be able to make one that will handle the pressure of daily driving. Perhaps they just don't like aftermarket clutches, that have a much tougher pedal - I'm not sure, I just know they usually die in a year or less.

Good to see another member emigrating here, we always like more capacity in our brain pool.

 

[catback]

when i first read this title, i imediately thought of
after-market and performance parts, not factory replacement parts lol.

i did a DIY turbo back 3" exh.
DIY 2/14" ic hardpipe *crush * :nono:
and in the end i'm saving up for bic ddp. and..
redoing the ic piping to 2.5" alum. mandrel bent
in the end you just spend more

OH and for replacement part i always "try" to go to toyota
most of those parts/sensors/wires lasted more that 18 years on my car
so it's no contest :icon_bigg

 

[mkiiSupraMan18]

This is just something I have been using to MY advantage....... if you're gonna drive your Supra, or plan on owning another, going to Advance/Autozone isn't too bad of an idea.... hell, everything you get has a lifetime warranty, and guess what..... if you get another Supra, and need a new clutch (just pretend you sold your old car) take the clutch back.... and get one for free! Sure they aren't the best, but hell, if they'll replace them for life, I'll pull the friggin trans out every year and just get a new one... Calipers, Rotors, what else..... clutches...... brake pads..... and just some little other misc stuff........

Say what you will, but I just got two new clutches from them for nothing, so I'm somewhere around $250 for 4 clutch sets, in 4 different cars.... Like I said, the quality isn't going to be as good, but if you don't mind doing a little extra work to save some $$$, I'd say go for it....

I know it isn't the same, but in my 82 I got one of these clutches, and it's going on year 2 w/ 163 hp/180-ish #'s.......... I know it's not a 7mgte, but that's still really damn good IMO. Just something to think about.......

 

[swaq]

Does the Tundra V8 fan clutch fit with the N/A engine or only with the turbo? Is there a difference between the fan clutches on the N/A and turbo engines? I need to get this soon, thanks.

Maybe I should have created a new topic since I just got more replies to my original question and not my new one. Thanks, but I need to know what fan clutches will work with a non-turbo Supra, particularly if the Tundra V6/V8 fan clutch will work. Thanks.

 

[SP 7M]

If you don't wish to upgrade a well-known quality aftermarket brand (when it's possible) then you can't go wrong with OEM.

It's Toyota...enough said.