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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ RockAuto.com and Standard Motor Products

Posted by: 914sgofast2 Feb 12 2018, 12:11 PM

I just bought an Ignition Conversion Kit for my 1970 Porsche 914 from RockAuto.com because the old Pertronix unit had failed. Not wanting to buy another Pertronix unit, I found a kit supposedly made by Standard Motor Products [ignition conversion kit #LX-811] on RockAuto.com for $173.75. When I got it, I discovered that it was just a Pertronix kit that had been re-boxed by Standard Motor Products and was being sold at an elevated price. The exact same Pertronix kit can be bought from FCPEuro for $110.89 (with a lifetime warranty), from AutoHausAS.com for $11.24, and from PelicanParts.com for $117.75. Be carefull when buying from RockAuto and Standrd Motor Products. This was very disappointing. I have bought many parts from ROckAuto in the past for my Porsche 914 and other vehicles, and have always thought it was being sold for a reasonable price. But this time I feel like I was ripped-off big time by RockAuto for $50 to $60.

Posted by: 914Sixer Feb 12 2018, 01:48 PM

RockAuto screwed me on some injectors that where supposed to to 914 2.0 injectors. They turned out to be Standard Products too. They would NOT take them back because the CATALOGUE said they were correct.

Posted by: gothspeed Feb 12 2018, 02:09 PM

sad.gif

Posted by: Philip W. Feb 12 2018, 02:09 PM

get the hot spark module - or by one of my distributors I have in F/S section both have brand new never run HotSPark modules. My current module is still going strong after almost 8 years.

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Feb 12 2018, 02:31 PM

QUOTE(Philip W. @ Feb 12 2018, 02:09 PM) *

get the hot spark module - or by one of my distributors I have in F/S section both have brand new never run HotSPark modules. My current module is still going strong after almost 8 years.


Sorry for the hijack
The Pertronix unit had a problem of burning up if the ignition was left on without the car running. Does your units still have this issue?

Posted by: Chris914n6 Feb 12 2018, 04:49 PM

I've returned stuff to RA, just had to pay shipping of 5-7$, and a bunch mouse clicks.

RA buys a lot of their parts outside normal distribution, thus the really cheap prices sometimes. There could be mistakes involved.

For me, they replaced a window regulator that had been dropped and broke the plastic elbow, with expedited shipping.
They covered the warranty on a fuel pump gone bad.
I actually a day away from placing another order for some stuff for the neighbors car. $30 shipped beats Autozones $130 for a basic motor mount.

Posted by: malcolm2 Feb 12 2018, 04:59 PM

QUOTE(Bartlett 914 @ Feb 12 2018, 02:31 PM) *

QUOTE(Philip W. @ Feb 12 2018, 02:09 PM) *

get the hot spark module - or by one of my distributors I have in F/S section both have brand new never run HotSPark modules. My current module is still going strong after almost 8 years.


Sorry for the hijack
The Pertronix unit had a problem of burning up if the ignition was left on without the car running. Does your units still have this issue?



Hot Spark has been know to fail that way also.... don't know about the burning up part, but the module will stop working.

Check some of my posts about Hot Spark, search "hiccup". My HS also failed. It ran for over 20K miles, IIRC. I found out the HS does not want more than 13.7 volts running thru. I have now connected a ballast resistor. It has pulled my input voltage to the HS down to close to 13.7. I keep a spare module in the car for WHEN it does finally die.

Posted by: malcolm2 Feb 12 2018, 05:04 PM

QUOTE(914Sixer @ Feb 12 2018, 01:48 PM) *

RockAuto screwed me on some injectors that where supposed to to 914 2.0 injectors. They turned out to be Standard Products too. They would NOT take them back because the CATALOGUE said they were correct.


Does Rock Auto have a "review" section? I had an issue with The Bird. But they have a review on each item, so I reamed them about selling a part that they know does not work. Caveat Emptor.... It is my own fault. Some dude had the same problem more than a year ago and he also gave a bad review, wish I had read it. bootyshake.gif Live and learn.

So don't buy a turn signal relay from The Bird. Get one from SPOKE. His works and is even cheaper. aktion035.gif

Posted by: Front yard mechanic Feb 12 2018, 08:29 PM

Don't buy anything from rock auto sheeplove.gif

Posted by: bdstone914 Feb 12 2018, 09:48 PM

The last company I worked for had SMP as the parent company. They do not make much themselves. Toured the dungeon in Long island where they make distributor caps. They make them different colors out of the same molds and call some of the premium caps and sell at a higher price. Not a fan.

Posted by: rdauenhauer Feb 12 2018, 10:52 PM

UGH! Search on Pertronix +Failure ....
read until your eyes bleed.
Yes that failure CAN occur if the key is left on AND the PU & trigger wheel happen to be in alignment.
OR you simply wire it backwards .....
Otherwise one of the most simple, RELIABLE and effective updates you can do to an otherwise stock car.
Installed on EVERY 914 ive owned (MANY!) Had only one ever fail, ............................. I WIRED IT BACKWARDS!

Posted by: Front yard mechanic Feb 13 2018, 08:32 AM

QUOTE(914sgofast2 @ Feb 12 2018, 11:11 AM) *

I just bought an Ignition Conversion Kit for my 1970 Porsche 914 from RockAuto.com because the old Pertronix unit had failed. Not wanting to buy another Pertronix unit, I found a kit supposedly made by Standard Motor Products [ignition conversion kit #LX-811] on RockAuto.com for $173.75. When I got it, I discovered that it was just a Pertronix kit that had been re-boxed by Standard Motor Products and was being sold at an elevated price. The exact same Pertronix kit can be bought from FCPEuro for $110.89 (with a lifetime warranty), from AutoHausAS.com for $11.24, and from PelicanParts.com for $117.75. Be carefull when buying from RockAuto and Standrd Motor Products. This was very disappointing. I have bought many parts from ROckAuto in the past for my Porsche 914 and other vehicles, and have always thought it was being sold for a reasonable price. But this time I feel like I was ripped-off big time by RockAuto for $50 to $60.

What Petronix unit were you looking for the 1-2 or 3 their web site catalog is not real clear which type is best for us 1874v? About 65.00 bucks

Posted by: Spoke Feb 14 2018, 07:13 AM

QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 12 2018, 11:52 PM) *

UGH! Search on Pertronix +Failure ....
read until your eyes bleed.
Yes that failure CAN occur if the key is left on AND the PU & trigger wheel happen to be in alignment.
OR you simply wire it backwards .....
Otherwise one of the most simple, RELIABLE and effective updates you can do to an otherwise stock car.
Installed on EVERY 914 ive owned (MANY!) Had only one ever fail, ............................. I WIRED IT BACKWARDS!



agree.gif

Never had a Pertronix fail in 10 years. Just don't leave the key on with engine not running. Similar issue can happen with standard points if the points are closed, key on and engine not running.

Posted by: worn Feb 14 2018, 12:34 PM

QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 12 2018, 08:52 PM) *

UGH! Search on Pertronix +Failure ....
read until your eyes bleed.
Yes that failure CAN occur if the key is left on AND the PU & trigger wheel happen to be in alignment.
OR you simply wire it backwards .....
Otherwise one of the most simple, RELIABLE and effective updates you can do to an otherwise stock car.
Installed on EVERY 914 ive owned (MANY!) Had only one ever fail, ............................. I WIRED IT BACKWARDS!

You would think they would simply add a diode or something...

Posted by: rhodyguy Feb 14 2018, 12:53 PM

Does Rockauto stock parts? I was under the impression it is a 3rd party vendor. I bought a wheel thru them that did not match the picture on the site. Opened the box and it was not close. Calling RA I was asked why I bothered them. Turns out the wheel came out of a dismantler in Michigan. Big hassle began and calls not being returned. Contacted the CC co and they credited my account. Then people wanted to talk to me. I was not kind and told the outfit in MI if they wanted their wheel back they had to cover shipping. They balked. 'Fine. In 5 biz days I will set it off of my property and not be responsible for it. You'll be out the wheel and the money'. 2 days later FedEx knocked on my door.

Posted by: 914sgofast2 Feb 14 2018, 05:17 PM

My complaint was with RockAuto and Standard Motor Products selling a deceitful ignition kit as being actually made by STP, when in reality it was only a Pertronix kit re-boxed by STP with the price increased by $50 to $60 over what I could have bought a Pertronix kit for from a bunch of other vendors (like Pelican, FCPEuro and Autohaus AZ). I did not want to buy another Pertroinx kit, especialy at an exhorbitant price! I know that RockAuto is simply a drop shipper of autoparts being stocked by other parts jobbers/distributors, who have contracted to sell things on the RockAuto website. And no, I did not leave the ignition switched on which resulted in a burned out Pertronix ignition unit.

Posted by: Mikey914 Feb 14 2018, 06:39 PM

The moral of the story is stick with reputable vendors who know our cars. God only know what youll get, but at least it wasn't a brand U part.

Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Feb 14 2018, 09:40 PM

Why would anyone buy a part for a 914 from rock auto?

Posted by: mepstein Feb 14 2018, 09:51 PM

QUOTE(The Cabinetmaker @ Feb 14 2018, 10:40 PM) *

Why would anyone buy a part for a 914 from rock auto?

agree.gif If all you are doing is buying on price, you aren't going to get a good buying experience all the time. There is no passion behind the sale, just dollars.

Posted by: Mike D. Feb 15 2018, 12:27 PM

After my Pertronix failed, I got a Compufire. At the time it was about half the cost and it has worked perfectly for years. In fact, this one Compufire is on it's 3rd engine.
$82 on JEGS...

(EDIT: HA! Just looked and Compufire is now owned by Pertronix... )

Posted by: Vacca Rabite Feb 15 2018, 12:47 PM

123 Ignition to the rescue!

Its more money. But its way more better-er.

Zach

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