I was just wandering if/what the difference would be between two replica kits:

-The first one is off of ebay, it has a customer satisfaction report of 98.5, it is Urethane, says there are no adjustments needed, offering an AW style lip and skirts for:420 shipped

-The second one is from Spugen, Ive recently talked to a guy that said he wanted to get ride of his after 4 mths(he did put it on himself), it is also urethane, offering the AW style lip and skirts for around 700 shipped.

Question is: is a replica a replica, or is there a difference between replicas, a more quality replica from these sites, as opposed to ebay. Is there a more dependable place that makes replicas, among the: Andy Autosports, Carbon Creations, Spugens, performance centers, and Evasive Motorsports? Which One?

 

[QUOTE=MmphsS2000,Sep 22 2005, 09:35 PM] I was just wandering if/what the difference would be between two replica kits:

-The first one is off of ebay, it has a customer satisfaction report of 98.5, it is Urethane, says there are no adjustments needed, offering an AW style lip and skirts for:420 shipped

-The second one is from Spugen, Ive recently talked to a guy that said he wanted to get ride of his after 4 mths(he did put it on himself), it is also urethane, offering the AW style lip and skirts for around 700 shipped.

Question is: is a replica a replica, or is there a difference between replicas, a more quality replica from these sites, as opposed to ebay.

 

I wouldn't run either... Airwalker isn't that expensive, and when it comes to lips, they either fit or they don't. Airwalker will fit. The copy may not. Fiberglass is also easily repaired. Urethane is not.

 

I have a replica GP sports kit and I must say it is VERY thin. I have yet to install it due to the hurricane but after seeing how thin it is i might not install it at all.

 

At first when I was looking, I was definately just going to get a "replica"...the more that I have been looking and learning, its not looking like I am going to go that way anymore. Ive never really known anything about body kits and ect...

Just trying to get an understanding of how all this works, how are other companies allowed to sell other peoples designs using AW, GD instead of Air Walker, Garage Defend and that be legal. And whether or not there were actually 'good' guys, that actually made decent products, or do they all make sub-par products. For a while, I actually thought that they were just cheaper versions, because sometimes they actually use the real name. Some people are really getting screwed.

I won't say any names or whatever, but I just almost bought Air Walker side skirts from a company (that was using the actual name), thinking I was going to get a great deal until I realized that they were not authentic. It didnt mention it anywhere-never wouldve known if I didnt ask.

 

So, what is the good material to use: Fiberglass, Polyurethane, Urethane...
What do the real products use?

 

most JDM body components are made of FRP or Carbon... I know airwalker is FRP. Urethane is supposed to be better if you bottom out alot, since it is suppoedly stronger being plastic, but I destroyed a Veilside poly lip 3-4 times (and repaired it every time but the last) and I've bottomed out with my C-West bumper (FRP) and still haven't broken it... I vote for FRP...


In regards to how they can sell knockoffs, well, the copyright laws in Japan don't apply over here unless the product is also registered here, and even then, to copyright a lip would be so incredibly teadious, it wouldn't be worth it...

 

I generally hate knockoffs but with the Amuse lip, it was a hard choice. The authentic is made from fiberglass, while the replica by Spugen is urethane. Because of the road conditions here, I went with the urethane replica.

 

What is "best" really depends on the situation. Urethane is a tough one because while it is very flexible, it can sag over time (a problem that FRP does not suffer from), however straight up FRP is more brittle and does not give as much.

A number of reputable JDM companies are offering hybrid materials now like C-West's PFRP and Ings+1's Hybrid Aero. These materials offer the strength and form-holding advantages of FRP but use a process that makes them a little more flexible and have more give like urethane does.

It really depends on your driving habits, and your budget. FRP, PFRP, Hybrid Aero, and especially CFRP are also MUCH lighter than urethane would be

Hope that helps!

 

i would go wit replica if the fit is good and made from urethane.