Julian Edgar, 50, has been writing about car modification and automotive technology for nearly 25 years. He has owned cars with two, three, four, five, six and eight cylinders; single turbo, twin turbo, supercharged, diesel and hybrid electric drivelines. He lists his transport interests as turbocharging, aerodynamics, suspension design and human-powered vehicles.
Bits from all around the world
I’ve written before about the enormous range of automotive parts now available through eBay, but until I have been working on my little Honda, I’d never realised how well developed such a part-sourcing network it now is.
As I write this morning, I am watching the tracking on my DHL express package that contains the stainless steel gasket set for my turbo. The package, in the last three days, has been through five countries. It started off in Latvia, went then to Lithuania before reaching Germany. Then it travelled to Heathrow airport in London, before arriving (this morning at 2.20 am) in Sydney. Out in country New South Wales, I reckon I’ll get it in the next few days.
And the exhaust gaskets are not alone in having travelled far.
My Bosch fuel pressure regulator came from the US, the fuel rail adaptor from the UK. Also from the UK came carbon fibre sheet for making a new dash panel, and replacement ignition coils. Other stuff direct from the US has included oil temperature and pressure sensors, the boost control solenoid and a water/air intercooler pump.
From China there has been a host of parts – the front-mount radiator for the water/air intercooling system, fittings, hose clamps, hose joiners and rubber grommets. On its way now from China are a thermocouple adaptor board, a weld-on bung for the thermocouple, and the thermocouple itself.
And of course I have bought plenty of parts locally.
With the fast availability of parts, cheaper than ever before, from all around the world, there’s never been a better time to be modifying cars…
on August 18th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
The internet really has made things alot easier. I hate to think of all the money I’ve spent on shipping though!
If I was modifying cars 30 years ago I think I would have just stuck with Ford / Holden (just like everyone else) as I would have to take out a second mortgage to own my European cars as parts would probably have to come from the local dealer. Don’t have that issue today.
Speaking of dealers, I’m firmly convinced they’re all run by ‘pre-internet’ age guys (in terms of their mentality, not necessarily their chronological age) who still think it’s perfectly acceptable to charge 500 dollars for an oil filter when I can buy it online for 10. We’re not a captive market anymore guys!
What’s really hilarious is when they open an eBay store and their absurd prices appear next to the US and UK sellers on searches..