Originally Posted by
JHM2K
The only "uncharted waters" are in the fitment... An engine is an engine, at the end of the day. Whether it's a Kia or a Koenigsegg, an engine needs air, fuel, and spark. Backpressure should be free enough to allow breathing, but should also have enough to promote healthy combustion. We never asked for a guarantee of horsepower. We asked for a leak-free, nicely fitted set of headers. Speedriven volunteered the optimistic numbers, but frankly I would have been happy with 10 RWHP, as long as they fit and caused no adverse issues (melted plug wires, firewall interference, etc)..
So it sounds like we can agree - with the highly limited space a guaranteed hp gain would be very hard to stick to since you don't really have options for tube lengths and routing. Didn't I read of headers that went kaput because of no hp gain?
Originally Posted by
JHM2K
There's where we disagree. THEY set the GB deposit amount... which means that their bean-counters saw it fit to start the build with a collective $1,000 investment, and a total revenue of $10,000+. Mark-up is generally set to 60% in most dealerships, tuners are no different. Nobody builds this stuff at "cost"... you can't stay in business that way. A reputable race performance shop
came to us, and if anyone has the knowledge and capability, it was Speedriven. We weren't expecting a perfect header from a Starbucks barista... we gave deposits to the "best of the best"... so we thought. Once they set the price point, and we commit, the ownership is theirs at that point. As Steve mentioned, there were 10 buyers in the initial GB and eight additional folks wanting the final product. That's over $18,000 for anyone counting. For $18,000, I would have figured out a way to make horsepower.
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Feel free to correct me, and I realize you guys have/had a lot of faith in Speedriven, but from following this forum was it so much in them or Ruddy?
Originally Posted by
JHM2K
That's a blessing that you're so fortunate... But I am pretty sure I've seen you referencing this header build in the BEGi thread, and the references have never been glowing ones. If I didn't know any better, it's almost as if you were amused that this has turned into a nightmare. .
No, what I found "amusing" was the "Great Speedriven Gods" (my impression since they can command double what a product is worth given a different vehicle) were not even taking the time to update and respond. It may take a couple days, but BEGi will get back to you. And my reference was to the impatients of the turbo project, when a header project has taken even longer.
Originally Posted by
JHM2K
How do we get there now? No clue. Hazard to say we won't, this forum is so group-buy-shy that I would honestly be floored to see a new project take off. There have been innovative things I have conjured up (aesthetic only), but I simply don't have the energy to beg for the financial support through a GB. Those same mods, if implemented, will only be done as a one-off.
I know the feeling there..probably will mount my led lighted "one-off" rear diffusers this weekend, and whether there is an interest or not - they will be the only ones made.
I'll get some locations and numbers from my co-worker and find out if he's full of himself or legit and see where things lead. Worst case I mimic Speedriven without any deposts. And actually I'm leaning towards incentive for a shop to produce a quality product "for me" with a high potential.. almost guaranteed orders for more. Guaging the interest I think I could safely say 15 sets to follow if they can come through?