Beware of Junk

Modifying cars is an expensive hobby. Therefore it is likely all of us try to save a few bucks whenever and wherever possible. However, are you doing so at the expense of quality?

Take a look at these AN fittings (Air Force-Navy). The blue and red anodized hardware is a recognizable feature under the hood of any performance vehicle. Anyone who has plumbed fuel or oil lines with AN fittings knows the price adds up quick. Aeroquip, Russell or Earls -8AN straight hose end fittings run from $7.25 to $7.88 at Summit. These companies make fittings to exacting tolerances and material specifications. They also utilize quality control methods and standards, such as ISO certification, all adding to the cost. It is the price to pay for a high quality product.

Now enter the spoiler. A company recognizes that many of us won’t think twice about the quality but will buy on price alone. They have the part reproduced overseas and can bring it to market for $5.88 – a whopping 25% reduction is price. In fact, they can do this and pull higher margins because they aren’t really bearing overhead or employee costs to make these things.

Think that cheaper red and blue AN fitting is just like the others? Take a closer look. That’s an Eaton Aeroquip -6AN socket on the left and a Summit brand on the right. The Aeroquip piece is made of 2024 aluminum. It is thick, uniform and flawless. The Summit $5.88 version is thin, the threads look shallow and stripped, and there is a large section of missing anodization (black spot inside.) It feels as if it was made from a recycled Coke can. Sure it is cheaper now, but any immediate savings will be offset when a fuel leak sets your engine on fire.

Be sure to check our next issue, we’re putting together a whole feature story on inferior parts and what is quickly becoming a very rampant problem in the automotive aftermarket.