OEM or AFTERMARKET TUNE-UP ???

[tahoejag]

Gonna throw this out to the forum....Whats everyones take on buying/using OEM and/or aftmkt such tune-up parts; i.e. plugs, wires, filters, or for that matter, gimbal brgs, bellows, gaskets? The other day was debating w friends, some said if you are going to replace such parts every year - you would save money with the less expensive aftrmkt stuff....ok, they have a point for I've been guilty to switch out (like plugs or a filter) for a non-merc name, but thats about it.

Is the aftrmkt quality there?....how much better is OEM?....is OEM worth the xtra $'s? Some people compare a boat engine to auto engine and ask if certain parts are compatible....(maybe, maybe not?). My opinion (and just mine), is that they are not the same, for the simple fact of the rpm's they run at. If I were to run my auto continuously at 3 or 4K rpms or more (say a WOT run), I would hate to see what happens to it.

What's your opinions???

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: OEM or AFTERMARKET TUNE-UP ???

The majority of aftermarket parts you use are going to be just fine. There are a few noted areas where OEM has the best products, but your average aftermarket tune-up parts, or ancillary parts you need will work just fine. Consider this, allot of the tune-up parts you buy in OEM boxes aren't necessarily made by that manufacturer. They are usually made by an outside source to the OEMs specifications, with the OEMs name on the finished product or box. This is especially true for things like oil filters, spark plugs, oil, belts, Etc.

Certain parts are not compatible between auto and marine. Those parts are usually related to the fuel or electrical system, and the explosion hazard that using auto parts in those systems may pose. For the most part though, the basis of your engine (block, crank, rods, heads, pistons) is all the exact same stuff GM made and used in their trucks. As far as running an auto engine at high RPM's, if you had a car built before the 80's (when overdrive transmissions became standard) with a tall set of rear diff gears, you were spinning the engine at 3K or better while cruising down the highway.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: OEM or AFTERMARKET TUNE-UP ???

The more mission critical parts are best to be OEM . . . this would be things like bellows, manifold/riser gaskets.

Other stuff (wires, coils, spark plugs, etc) can be a quality aftermarket. As mentioned, you need to make sure that your aftermarket parts are the marine type for fuel, electrical and ignition components.

There is a wide range of quality in the aftermarket parts and it takes a bit of experience to learn the good & bad of it.