yep I agree Alfred but there is such a difference in price and I'm with you on the cost of the rebuild but also understand what Elliot is saying. A lot of discussion about the quality of our parts anymore and who is to say that the uprated chain isn't made in a lessor quality in a plant in India, China or the like. If you see a TRW, Beck Arnley, Cloyes, ITM or any more recognizable name is it best to by that one?
It says on the Moss website that the expensive chain is made by Iwis in Germany. The Iwis name is not as recognizable as, say, TRW; but they are known for quality timing components and are OEM suppliers to the likes of BMW and Mercedes. In Stag circles, they are known as the gold standard, as the cheap chains have been known to fail in as little as 20,000 miles. The Stag motor is an interference design, so a broken chain is major damage.
IMO, Moss has a markup of around 40-50%, so that are paying about $4 wholesale for that $8 chain. Now count the number of parts involved. I don't know how many links a TR6 uses offhand, but each link involves 2 side plates, a center plate, two rollers and a pin; all of which are critical to long life. The pins and rollers should be a quality steel alloy, hardened and tempered to the right hardness. The plates have to be just the right length between the holes, and the holes have to fit the pins. Add some tooling, and now how much is left over for inspection?
I'd pop for the $40 version.
In fact, I've got a pair of Iwis chains on the shelf for my Stag motor, and they cost me a lot more than $40.
My Dad used to say "There's a certain price you have to pay for hay. Of course, it's cheaper after it's been through the horse!"