Can anyone tell me the difference, other than saving hundreds of $ and a stamp from Forge?



Ebay $275 shipped



Forge $645~

 

Those Chinese replicas are "reversed engineered" with no data showing what core type is used or how much CFM it can handle.
Built quality typically is par, but in terms of heat exchanger performance, they can be a complete rip-off.

There have been owners who have purchased such and have been disappointed with the "fakes".

- Erik

 

Please get it and tell me how it goes.

 

Take a look on most forums. Search for ebay intercoolers. Most forums give the ICs a thumbs up for most owners.

 

I hope you get what's in the picture! Quality control is a roll of the dice.

I would just hold out for another Helix intercooler group buy.

 

Thanks for all the advise, I'm sticking to name brand. I just don't want to risk it.

 

In that picture, I dont think the ebay IC is using a bar and plate style core like the Forge is

 

I've got a Forge and love it but either the Forge or Helix is your best bet.

 

Please Get it and try it. All the BMW guys do homemade inter coolers!

 

Honestly, for the price differece i think it would be well worth it. I know many people (including high horsepower tuner cars) using fleabay cores with success. There are many logged runs of IAT differences from stock vs ebay vs brand name. You pay for the brand name because they take the time to find a core and fab/buy proper end tanks to make it fit. While its an insult to the original creator of the part, knock offs will always make money because they've taken away the guess work with R&D and just copy a product. Just like OBX... many people are plenty happy with their R53 headers/R56 turbo back exhausts at a fraction of the cost.

I say go for it.

(yes, I have a helix, but, if this had come up i'd take a stab at it)

 

It's just me but my comp. imports stuff from china you can tell before you read it by the cheep cardboard they use to box. I have sceen the packaging on the name brands and it is the same cardboard. It leads me to wounder???

 

i would go for a 2nd hand brand name one for prob the same cost as this.

 

2nd hand helix, forge, alta are still $550-600....

 

you gotta look a bit harder, ive seen them on other forums for $350 and i paid $325 for my Alta.
true not the same price but at least you know it will work properly.

 

Do you guys ever wonder why unemployment is so high? Because you all keep supporting crappy Chinese thieves. They steal designs, make a CRAP cheap copy out of god knows what, make it shiney, and then sell it to cheap, stupid Americans.

You all need to wake up.

 

thats life. some people buy kia's and others ferrari's. the people with out a massive salary should be able to have some fun too.

 

Yeah, and I hate to say, but this economy is not riding on how many R56 FMICs are made in the USA...But I do agree with buying American made if you can.

 

WHAT?!?!? You're fing car is German!

Go buy a dodge if u want crappy American parts!

 

People will always look for upgrades at a cheaper cost. Whether you are talking car parts or household items people will always look for a way to reach a goal at a lower price. The only concern I have with China knockoffs is the lack of quality control and scientific/engineering testing. Large manufactures do countless tests to prove to the consumer about advertised promised numbers. With those numbers typically comes better quality and reliability.
You can't knock someone for not having a deep pocketbook and looking for more affordable items. I would just be careful and way the risk. If the part fails, will it cause a cascading effect that could cause massive failures and ultimately much high cost? That's the risk we all have to weigh.

 

Thanks for your contribution.

 

But KIA doesn't copy a Ferrari design...I bet a Korean company could make a 458 for a lot less...

 

Agree! HAHAHAHA

 

I make enough money to buy the real thing... I like the REAL thing.

 

Get the Real one... Helix..