Quote:
Originally Posted by Vizard424
If TRD can fix these problems (stop stealing other company's products and rebadging them and actually putting in R&D) then the SC would be a very cost effective boost for power output.
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I'm sorry, but I have to point out how inaccurate your comment of about TRD "stealing" products from another company: Vortech freely sold OEM parts to TRD USA, and had minimal involvement in R&D in the supercharger for the 2AZ... mainly telling TRD USA that a shaft-driven centrifugal supercharger was a poor idea. But they continued to sell parts to TRD USA anyway, even going as far as offering non-warrantied modifications to the shaft drive after studying the issues. Also, TRD USA did design and build two intercooler prototypes: one for a show tC, and another that made it's way into Dan Gardner's race tC which was quite successful in winning races. The reason why it wasn't offered is because (a) it put the price of the supercharger out of reach for many buyers, and (b) would have required external engine management to safely gain more boost, but California Air Resources Board (CARB) would not approve.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vizard424
My bad I didn't mean to offend but I do remember an incident a while back with the tC TRD parts. TRD offered a LSD for the car which was a rebadged Quaife unit. People realized this and started to buy the Quaife unit because they sold it at the price they sell all their LSDs around $1100. TRD didn't like this (TRD version sold for $1500) and Quaife was no longer allowed to sell the LSD without the TRD badge. Well, according to a Quaife representative.
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The Quaife representative was mostly correct, but what he failed to mention is when OEMs agree to sell parts for rebranding, they often sign an agreement that TRD will becomes the exclusive distributor. My understanding is that Quaife independently offered a LSD for the 2AZ based on demand, even offering a direct group buy on Scion Life; afterwards, TRD decided to distribute the LSD. The same happened to StopTech regarding their Celica Big Brake Kit which was the same part # as the tC brake kit. Since StopTech was an OEM for TRD USA, they had to discontinue their Celica/Scion tC BBK. AEM also was an OEM for TRD USA for the Scion tC, however, they offered a competing Cold Air Intake without their bypass valve, so TRD USA had no recourse to ask them to discontinue the product.