Favorite "go to" part?

So the fuel pump died in my '95 Passat. The cheapest replacement unit is $500. Bull I say. I disassemble the unit and find a fairly normal looking tube-style in-tank pump sitting in a weird holder. So I went to AutoZone and asked for a '90 Mustang fuel pump. It was the same length, but smaller diameter. Sold. I ended up gutting the VW fuel unit and just dropping the Ford pump in place, Ford fuel sock and all. Button it back up and it runs fine now.

I did the same thing with my '88 Mirage turbo, dropped in a Mustang fuel pump. Modified the bracket and there it goes. I have also swapped the same Ford pump into a GM G-body.

So for me my "go to" in-tank fuel pump is just a Mustang pump. Flows 88 lph, plenty for most applications. What is your favorite parts store "this will work" part?

I put a mustang pump in a 240sx once too, just for the record.

The only part i can think off of the top of my head is a mid 80's cherokee exhaust gasket. Its 2.5" 2 bolt like all the import exhaust use and it will fit a 3" catback as well in a pinch. When you gotta get a gasket on to pass inspection or whatever, it'll work.

If you ever need a cheap upgrade to the Mustang pump, the 87-88 TBird Turbo pump is the same dimensions and has a higher lph, though I don't remember the exact # anymore.

Geo Metro alternator... 3lbs, one wire, 40A setup.

Someone on this board gave me the tip for my racecar and now I plan to use it every damn thing I need to save a little weight on.

Has to be the Toyota 4A-series filter. Fits on both my vehicles. The AE92 is a special car so there are no "go-to" parts, and the Samurai will use anything so everything is a "go-to" part. The air filter is the same thing used in shop vacs.

I've also heard good things about old Honda AC compressors...I can't remember which model (D'oh!) but one of them is a lightweight compressor that's easy to find.

when it comes the the Merkur, the only go to part is a BFH and a box of Bandaids!

i don't know if it's a "go to" part but ebay cheap-o DSM coilovers were the least expensive way I've found to get threaded 2.5" ID collars. i've used the same aluminum set on 3 different vehicles by just finding the appropriate length/rate springs.

Duct tape

nothing to add of my own, but so far, this thread has potential for serious awesomeness. Good comments so far.

(well... except for duck tape... that's sort of a "well, duh..." )

I seem to always fall into the "that widget is the only thing that will work in your application and they are on back order from micronesia right now. How much money did you say you had?"

T3.

poopshovel wrote: T3.

They do fit on everything. I like how you think.

I'd also include dsm 450cc injectors... they end up on every boosted budget setup I seem to build.

Zip ties!

GM MAP sensor. Can be had at junkyards if you're determined and/or lucky.

Oh I think Ford electronic (as in distributorless) ignition components deserve a mention...used wherever electronic ignitions are installed where they were never intended.

unevolved wrote: GM MAP sensor. Can be had at junkyards if you're determined and/or lucky.

I have heard this before. Apparently they work great for boosted Honda applications.

My new go-to fuel injector is the Acura RDX turbo injector. 440cc, $37 each, brand-new from the parts counter!

Gear Clamps. Almost as useful as duct tape.

Old style Ford fender-mount starter solenoid - fantastic for fixing heat-soak starter issues on damn near anything, or as a momentary high-amp relay. But always buy in pairs - they have a VERY limited lifespan

Early '90s Mustang 3 wire Bosch O2 sensors. For some reason they're even a few dollars cheaper that the "universal" 3 wire O2s, even thought they're the exact same thing, except with the plug cut off.

My scrap metal bin. That, plus a hacksaw, drill, and a bastard file have made many brackets. Even a few suspension parts.

I've got GM ignition and fuel systems on my VW, Volvo, and GMs (of course). I like using the most simple, cheap, common stuff I can for custom fuel/ignition and it's tough to beat GM TBI+HEI. It is pretty funny to pull a Fiero part off my Bug and put it onto my 122 to buy me some time until I can go to the junkyard to get a replacement from an S10 or Skylark.

I could spend an entire day talking about times I've got a part for X car to go on to Y car. Impreza rotors on a Fiero, Astro fuel sender on a VW Bug, Fiero ignition module connected to a 240 distributor on a 122, etc. My name is Bryce and I'm a parts bin junky.

Ford Solenoids and GM Ignition modules are my top two. Also some ford truck inline fuel pumps work well in applications where you have a high psi fuel injection system and a fuel cell or you are not using a stock sending unit. the downside is they are pricey ($150-$200)

I work in a parts store, so I get a couple customers a week that run into situations that require a "go to" part.

A GM HEI distributor has to be one of the best things GM ever did. Complete ignition system in one part. Fairly easily adaptable to many different engines if you have the know how and the space. Attach a 12 volt wire and you're ready to go.

Jeep CJ hood latches. $14 shipped from Quadratech, and so much classier than hood pins IMHO.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Geo Metro alternator... 3lbs, one wire, 40A setup.

Yep. My ~My Spridget~ has one.

Also, Ditto on the Ford fender-mount starter solenoid (also in race-Spridget )

Scirocco radiator. Pretty cheap and small so can be fit into various homebrew setups with little pain.

Garden tractor battery (for race car). Not "high-tech" and can't be turned on side, but still small, light and $30 as opposed to a $300 Braille battery.

Facet "square" fuel pump (for carbed cars). Noisy but cheap and reliable.