LS9 valve covers
08-14-2010, 10:54 AM
#63
It is not a racket when the parts are all custom made (read as billet). The stock to cut it from, as well as the machine to make it, the time to design it, the list goes on and on. For valve covers, most aftermarket ones are fabricated and you are paying for someones time and due diligence to make them.
Its not a racket....its business.
Its not a racket....its business.
08-17-2010, 03:33 AM
#65
It is not a racket when the parts are all custom made (read as billet). The stock to cut it from, as well as the machine to make it, the time to design it, the list goes on and on. For valve covers, most aftermarket ones are fabricated and you are paying for someones time and due diligence to make them.
Its not a racket....its business.
Its not a racket....its business.
Now... granted I haven't located a set on ebay that fits correctly for the LSx, but that just seems like some minor adjustments need to be made to the original design.
I'm also willing to bet that those companies on ebay (which apparently have fitting issues for our cars) do in fact have valve covers that fit just fine on other vehicles. Meaning I highly doubt EVERY valve cover they make has fitment issues... So why can't someone in the LS market do the same thing, just double check the fitment? I know that can't cost that much more... I mean come on...
Also I'm sure these $400+ valve covers aren't selling very well. Especially in this economy. Even before the economy took a dump I'm willing to bet those didn't sell like hotcakes. My point is, even on LS1Tech, it's not often I see many of these cars with some nice valve covers because nobody wants to spend that much on two "metal covers". It's like paying $50 for a plastic fork.
I'm betting if someone came out with a decent valve cover, at a decent price, they'd probably make a lot more money, because they'd probably have more sales... just a guess...
08-17-2010, 03:38 AM
#66
The Abear's were very nice... again, just too expensive for what people are willing to pay for these things. Weren't they like around the $600 range?!
I myself am a fan of the Katech covers... however, again they are still too proud of that product for me to be willing to pull out the old credit card.
I myself am a fan of the Katech covers... however, again they are still too proud of that product for me to be willing to pull out the old credit card.
08-17-2010, 07:17 AM
#67
The Abear's were very nice... again, just too expensive for what people are willing to pay for these things. Weren't they like around the $600 range?!
I myself am a fan of the Katech covers... however, again they are still too proud of that product for me to be willing to pull out the old credit card.
I myself am a fan of the Katech covers... however, again they are still too proud of that product for me to be willing to pull out the old credit card.
i just wish i could find someone that would make me a one off set. lol.
08-17-2010, 08:26 AM
#68
Ebay is an extremely poor example of shopping for something for your car. Just like Ebay headers. Yes, they are cheaper. Yes they are made of the same style of material. There is a huge difference in mass producing something just to turn a dollar and hand crafting something because you have pride in your work and in the industry.
With Ebay, most of the items are not produced here and are also produced in mass quantity, leaving them room to mark up their goods as well but staying very cheap with the price. They are normally made of an inferior design and/or inferior materials. I say cheap because that is what they are. If they were priced well for the quality, I would say inexpensive. They are cheap and you get what you pay for.
The same could be asked of you. Why did you choose to buy AFR heads? Why not just use a set of cheap hand/home ported 5.3s that you find also on ebay all the time for cheap?
With Ebay, most of the items are not produced here and are also produced in mass quantity, leaving them room to mark up their goods as well but staying very cheap with the price. They are normally made of an inferior design and/or inferior materials. I say cheap because that is what they are. If they were priced well for the quality, I would say inexpensive. They are cheap and you get what you pay for.
The same could be asked of you. Why did you choose to buy AFR heads? Why not just use a set of cheap hand/home ported 5.3s that you find also on ebay all the time for cheap?
I understand that... but how come you come across valve covers on ebay and such that look great and only run about $150 give or take?
Now... granted I haven't located a set on ebay that fits correctly for the LSx, but that just seems like some minor adjustments need to be made to the original design.
I'm also willing to bet that those companies on ebay (which apparently have fitting issues for our cars) do in fact have valve covers that fit just fine on other vehicles. Meaning I highly doubt EVERY valve cover they make has fitment issues... So why can't someone in the LS market do the same thing, just double check the fitment? I know that can't cost that much more... I mean come on...
Also I'm sure these $400+ valve covers aren't selling very well. Especially in this economy. Even before the economy took a dump I'm willing to bet those didn't sell like hotcakes. My point is, even on LS1Tech, it's not often I see many of these cars with some nice valve covers because nobody wants to spend that much on two "metal covers". It's like paying $50 for a plastic fork.
I'm betting if someone came out with a decent valve cover, at a decent price, they'd probably make a lot more money, because they'd probably have more sales... just a guess...
Now... granted I haven't located a set on ebay that fits correctly for the LSx, but that just seems like some minor adjustments need to be made to the original design.
I'm also willing to bet that those companies on ebay (which apparently have fitting issues for our cars) do in fact have valve covers that fit just fine on other vehicles. Meaning I highly doubt EVERY valve cover they make has fitment issues... So why can't someone in the LS market do the same thing, just double check the fitment? I know that can't cost that much more... I mean come on...
Also I'm sure these $400+ valve covers aren't selling very well. Especially in this economy. Even before the economy took a dump I'm willing to bet those didn't sell like hotcakes. My point is, even on LS1Tech, it's not often I see many of these cars with some nice valve covers because nobody wants to spend that much on two "metal covers". It's like paying $50 for a plastic fork.
I'm betting if someone came out with a decent valve cover, at a decent price, they'd probably make a lot more money, because they'd probably have more sales... just a guess...
08-17-2010, 08:19 PM
#69
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i dont think you could ever really value the argument that ebay<stock<billet. It just comes down to how much you wanna spend to get the desired look. I wound up spending more than i planned in basically every aspect of my build, but this was one of the places where it was still a good $ to (: ratio
08-18-2010, 08:53 AM
#70
The Katech ones are cast as well, very good pieces, but they do require the special coil relocation kit. If you have the need, they are worth the $$, but if not, it is a moot point really to spend that much.
But then again, I think Zaino and Blingmaster are worthless as well. You can tell where my emphasis is.
Although we do carry these....PML Covers
But then again, I think Zaino and Blingmaster are worthless as well. You can tell where my emphasis is.
Although we do carry these....PML Covers
