More TFI Questions.........

[Chris_Polley]

Alright, I checked on a new TFI module at two seperate Ford Dealerships today and the price of a new one for my '87 Stang with an AOD runs from $120 - $130 depending on the dealership. I checked at Napa back in Brainerd where I just moved from and with my discount I can get one for around $70. My question is, is the Napa one any good or should I just buy an OEM one and get it done with?

Thanks!

 

[trbkrb]

OUCH! I got one from a local Autozone and it was only $29.99 with a lifetime warranty. It is a Wells brand. A Ford dealer tech said they are not as good as the Ford ones, but I figure for the price difference I can live with it. Besides I got a spare used Ford one just in case.

Good luck!

 

[Chris_Polley]

$29.99 really? I guess ND and MN aren't the places to go to buy 5.0 parts. The more I read on the internet, I don't understand how an aftermarket TFI module could be any worse then an OEM Ford one. Sounds like they are a pretty poor part.

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

$29.99 really? I guess ND and MN aren't the places to go to buy 5.0 parts. The more I read on the internet, I don't understand how an aftermarket TFI module could be any worse then an OEM Ford one. Sounds like they are a pretty poor part.

I can help explain this one Chris....I'm an Electronics Manufacturing Engineer and the answer is simply "easy". Part grade, quality (specifications) and manufacturing process play a role in the life expectency of an electronic product. Even the selection of component packaging (inside the unit) play a critical role in harsh environment survivability. Something as seemingly simple as the type of solder used to connect the electronics together in the TFI module plays a critical role in the life of the product as-well. OEM is not always better than aftermarket and in some cases aftermarket is not always better than OEM.

So, how does this help you select the best unit? Not at all. Word-of-mouth and reputation are probably your best friend in this case. Things like heads, exhaust systems and the like generally have some empirical data (dyno's and flow bench tests) to back their claims...most stock replacement parts don't come with (or get advertised) with specsmanship....cause its a stock replacement part (and not an upgrade). I personally won't buy electrical parts from NAPA because of all the trouble I have had with wrong parts, or it won't work out of the box, or damn part lasts a week. But, that might just be me and my local store...others surely have had great sucess with them.

I personally would buy two of the cheapie units. One for the car and one spare. If your a long time keeper of the car the spare will eventually get used (and when you need it the store is closed anyways!) I tend to buy two of everything (gaskets, sensors etc.) cause there are two stangs in the "corral" and it'll get used eventually.

Hope this helps.

 

[Chris_Polley]

I understand what you are saying there about the type of solder used and everything. It makes sense. I don't really plan on ever getting rid of the car so spending the extra cash on the right part is always the way to go for me... but it's hard to swallow the $130 or so for a little part that mounts to the distributor.
I was trying to be a little sarcastic in my previous reply, because I had read up on the OEM TFI Module a bit on the web and it looks like there has been some court cases involving people, Ford and the TFI module. Looks like the OEM component is pretty poor as well.

 

[trbkrb]

Well, my original Ford one lasted 15 years being driven everyday in the Houston heat. I'd say it held up pretty well. So far I had about 2 years on the replacement, but I did have it replaced under warranty last week due to a stator failure on my stock distributor. My car is now back on the road! I like Idwitheld-1's idea, buy two. Check on the internet, www.autozone.com sells them off the website also if you want to go that route.

Good luck!

 

[89MustangGX]

I have had an AutoZone one in my truck with no problems for quite some time. I've bought a Ford one before and I never noticed a difference between the two. I liek the idea of having a spare as well, I keep saying I'm going to do that...