Hope someone takes the time to read this as this is near and dear to my heart.
We, as consumers, buy on 2 basic principles; Price and/or Emotion
In my experience (This is not speculation), China suppliers and manufacturers HAVE the ability to make quality parts. Read on for the facts.
The Price Principle
Most organizations that source from LCC’s (Low Cost Countries), source on price. You go to China and say; "I want this part for my cost - XX% = $XXX." Profit margins, Stock prices, Cash Flow are some of the main determining factors of this behavior and decision. A typical cost reduction sourcing to China is in the 60-70%. Another topic is “Total cost” as opposed to “Purchase Price”.
So, the LCC supplier WILL make the part for the target price of $XXX dollars, but typically demands large lot sizes orders and long lead-time, which is a function of large lot sizing. They think in “Batch Order Manufacturing”. Inventory levels rise (Think IRS/Taxes) and if the demand is not present, it gets cumbersome.
In China, some manufacturers are subsidized and there are a LOT of unethical dealings. Material and dimensional specifications are not always adhered to. This is where the “total cost” of the product increases (Read “Cost Of Quality”). If the product and it’s specification are functioning in IDLH environments (Immediate Danger to Life and Health) such as in airline parts, chemical process compatibility, etc., you have to be VERY cautious!
If the specifications of the sourced parts are thoroughly verified (dimensionally, and chemically through PMI), you can get good parts at about 50-60% cost reduction.
Why is the price so low?
Two main reasons; “Material and labor”. Material cost is MUCH lower in LCC’s, and there is no way around that! Direct labor in China is in the area of $1.00/day in places. None of use would work for those wages, and/or could make a living doing that.
The Emotional Principle
“You should buy from US manufacturers and support US industry, workers and business”. US manufacturers are typically higher in price for the reasons mentioned previously. So the only question for such emotional decision/purchase is; Does my budget match my basic emotional principle? There is a cutoff somewhere for each product at any given time for all of us.
So, we may ask ourselves; Would I purchase a CD player for 4X the price if it was 100% US made, all else being equal? (Not sure many would do this) Would it be different if it was for a hobby? Depends, right? What about Consumer VS Industrial products?
The basic downfall of our society
In general terms, US manufacturers DO NOT HAVE BETTER QUALITY PRODUCTS sold at the higher prices to cover cost. Go look at castings US vs LCC’s. The “pride” of the majority of the manufacturing workforce is gone (For some good and some bad reasons). Maybe I am old school, but, I believe in giving your honest best and take pride in your work at the end of the day!
More Recent & Actual Experience
I purchased a set of headers originally sold by a TR vendor, and let me tell you …… They looked worst than some of the cheap crap (I am being really NICE
) from China (You know the one where the weld penetration was well into the sealing surface of the header flange?). Granted, the headers were purchased used, I called the vendor to just inform them of the quality problem. I figured that it may save a lot of other owners some headaches if the vendor would at least verify the inventory. I was literally laughed at over the phone. I can hear it; "GO to a different vendor!" There just are not many choices for performance part choices in the HA world.
Sure, I will purchase US made products over China products ANYDAY, provided it is in my budget. Most of us will not lower our standard of living “just” to buy US made products.
Made in the USA! (Observation)
A few HA owners have tried to bring products to market, the latest being an integral HA downpipe. VERY nice work I must add! But the DP would cost around $1100, 2.5”, SS and Carbon mixed (If I recall), US made! At the listed price, most potential buyers decided they can “live without it” and/or are attempting to manufacture it themselves. Price, Availability, Budget, Emotion. If the material was 100% carbon, 100% China made, fit ½ @$$ at best and sold for $200, would it sell based on options/availability in this market?
That's enough ..........
So, back to topic:
VERY Nice headers for the price, too bad they copied and possibly ******* a few people in the process.
I've been doing this turbo buick thing for 20 years & have probally forgotten more about these cars than you will ever learn. Good luck with your high quality, made in china build.
Is a lock on its way ??? 
