Chris, Pelican wanted $140 for turbo tie rods. That's downright insulting. I found them from some guy on eBay for $97 shipped. Compare the prices of a CIS fuel pump between Pelican and the others. The difference ain't $1 or $2. My favorite is www.europeanautomotive because of a great selection, willingness to bargain and free shipping. I'm about to buy shocks for the SC. I won't even think about Pelican for them. I'll go to www.shox.com.

Chris, anyone can be competitive on rubber seals. Here's one of many examples where comparison shopping shows PP to be the pricey solution. I have more examples, but they'll take more time to dig up than I can put in right now...

Fuel Injector, MFI: (please, no dumb MFI-related remarks, OK?)

$86.25 - Pelican Parts (pay shipping from CA & slow as Christmas)
$78.91 - Best Foreign Parts (free shipping over $50)
$75.76 - The Parts Bin (free shipping over $50)
$72.60 - Euro Parts Catalog / Boozak Online (free shipping over $75)
$67.07 - Autohaus Arizona (free shipping over $50)

So, we're talking roughly $20/injector x 6 injectors. Pretty obvious where I bought injectors, eh. :lol:

I also bought intake / exhaust valves and valve springs recently, and Pelican's prices were too high. I hope this helps clear up your confusion Chris. :wink:

I buy all my parts from Porsche of Arlington. Not only do I get a 50% markup, but I get a snobby attitude to boot! :lol: :roll:

Last time I was there, the guy looked at the markup on the oil filters and pretty much marked it down 1/2 price. Same for the crush washers, which they wanted like $2 each! That was my first time there, so it's not like I knew the guy, he knew DIYers were getting ripped off. I haven't been back, but that's because it's not convenient.

Thanks for all the sites, I have a big spreadsheet with a number of parts I need, I will post the results of my price comparison in a couple days or so.

Until then, somoene answer this: If you need 9 flywheel bolts and your not supposed to reuse them, why don't they sell them in convenient 9-packs? Sure sell singles if you strip them out but, jeez, what a PITA!

Follow up comment: Some of Pelican's parts are priced competitively and some things they can get that these other places can't / won't. I throw a portion of my business to Pelican becuase of this and because I think they do provide a valuable service for the DiY community.

[quote="Jim Richards"]
MFI are inanimate objects, incapable of “feelings”, good or bad. You on the other hand…

Steve, if you make it out to Springfield, bring a flywheel bolt to Fischer's Hardware. They have an amazing selection of oddball metric stuff and I wouldn't be surprised if they had the flywheel bolts for about $1 each. Actually, bring a CV bolt along too. That's actually where I shop the most for hardware, if it's something I can take off the car and into the store to match. That store rocks. And they have a few hotties working there to boot.

Porsche of Arlington has been pretty good to me, but I have a connection there. Once in a while they have excellent prices and can get it fast.

I have gotten screwed by PP a few times .. one in particular when I needed a clutch cable for the tub for a race weekend. Showed up the following week even after paying extra for next day delivery :evil: Salvaged the weekend but also decided that I wouldn't throw them much more business.

I think this also depends on which (what) type of car you are buying for. PP has an OK 356 parts department but several others can get it for you as well Paragon (horrible reputation on PP boards), 356-enterprises (I race with owner Skirmants and he rebuilds my trans-axles), Parts-Obsolete and Windward-performance.

I'll admit to buying stuff from Performance products back when they sent coupons for 10-20% off. Don't think they do that anymore, or limit the things you can buy using the coupon. I buy consumables for the tub from race shops (like 356 enterprises) b/c having a good relationship with a vendor / racer when you have a problem can be worth much more than the $100 you save here or there. (similar thoughts as to what Tony said in other thread on suspension). Pick a shop that supports what you run (mainly) so that the customer goodwill actually does something for you.

Has worked out over the years.

Jase

Thanks for the recommendation!

You want to see real hotties, go to McLean Hardware. What is up with that place? Of course they're all off limits.

None of my beeswax but...hardware store flywheel bolts! Just cuz they might fit don't make them the same. You might do better to save some bucks somewhere else. A flywheel coming loose will trash much $$$ stuff!