Crappy Parts

There are numerous sources for VW aftermarket performance parts. Some have gained a reputation for excellent product and/or services. And there are even more who have not.

It's not often I acquire crappy parts. I try to stay away from vendors I don't know. But on occasion I've acquired parts of inferior quality , poor craftsmanship, or bad design. Sometimes those parts can come some reputable vendors and from the dealer too.

Here is one of those occurances where I took a chance and bought an item despite numerous advice to the contrary regarding this vendor. This vendor's specialty is turbo-charger kits for late model automobiles.

This is supposed to be a mandrel bent throttlebody boost tube with an integrated ISV bypass port. The design would replace the flexible rubber hoses and eliminate the need for a bypass kit. Under normal circumstances, to install a bypass kit requires you cut the flexible OEM rubber tube in half and insert the T-fitting that allows a smaller tube from the Idle Stabilizer Valve (ISV) to be fed back into the intake system.

If done properly, this aftermarket steel tube would have simplified the installation, create smoother airflow, and customize the appearance under the hood. The image on the website looked entirely different that the item I received. The product description indicated that this is a third generation rendition of the item. I can only imagine how crappy the previous two versions must have been.

The item on the left is the stock OEM boot cut in half with a BBM boost bypass installed. It fits properly. Compare that with the aftermarket boost tube from this vendor. The angles are entirely wrong and the fittings are in the wrong place. The ISV Bypass port isn't even on the same plane. The intercooler tubes couldn't possibly seal properly to the misaligned angles of this boost tube.
I can't imagine it would be that difficult to manufacture a proper fitting mandrel bent tube. Doesn't anyone in this outfit test fit these before selling them? The reviews of this vendor on the automobile forums are accurate.

If this simple part is any indication of the type of quality control they put in their other products, then their more complex turbocharger kits must be aweful.