I called up the three common parts places around where i live and for a single set of rings the price ranged from $70-$140.
If they don't work it won't be a big deal if i have to get the $70 rings. They would have been OEM quality. That was the price from the VW import shop.
I just grabbed the box that prothe's rings come in and the box it's self says "RIK" on it as the brand and there is a sticker that holds the box closed that says "ARCO" *registered trademark* ... i've never heard of either of those before names before?
BTW- I am not endorsing Prothe by any means, just stating my opinions.
I have bought a few things from him and received decent service and Chinese products of decent quality.
Need quality? Don't buy it.
Well I run a topline head, for $250 I got the complete head NIB on ebay. At about 8,000Miles mine didn't have any cracks between the valves either.
One more question: who supplies the cam? How well is the heat treatment process on these cams???
Not sure about the treatment process but a year ago at about 35,000 miles mine looked brand new still, and then :cry: due to my neanderthalish sledge hammer wielding methods, I managed to break it. :x I loosened the bolt holding the cam gear on about a 1/2 turn and started wacking it with a large deadblow hammer. I don't know why but after awhile I started hitting harder and finally POP.... :cry: :oops: the end broke off. I got a regrind for 50 bucks so it wasn't too bad. IIRC I liked the topline cam better, nicer finish and the lobes actually looked beefier, maybe I'll have to look at it again. A new one from topline cost $100 but they were out indefinitely.
Bummer about your rings Zuk, I'll steer clear of 'em but I'll run their heads anyday, if it wasn't for accidentally finding this on ebay I think I would of had to run my old head that was full of cracks. No way I coulda dropped 800 on a head.
Their catalog lists both hydro and solid lifter heads.