Expensive !@#$%^ Downpipes
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These people also have to realize that if the vendors make a good quality SS downpipe that lasts a long time, they will most likely only sell one, possibly two per car. With probably 40-50 thousand 86&87 Turbo regals made and only a percentage of the owners upgrading their downpipes, this isn't like the mustang and f-body where they sell a lot of parts for a lower markup to make their money.
David
David
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coach
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DavzGN said:
Great point. A few 1000 vs. A few million...
That really makes you appreciate any vendor that makes a part from nothing...like the new 1pc bumper fillers. Simply awesome for us.
I will give you some ide of the time it takes to do R&D and fabrication. I looked at braces for my rear LCA's on my frame. After looking at all the designs out there I didn't like them because they only have 4 contact points on the frame and LCA'a Yes, they brace the LCA's but they're heavy and I'd still have to weld them together. I decided to make my own. This took several days of making templates and decideing where they should contact the frame and the LCA's. What I made was a full contact brace that is lighter, more aerodynamic, and pretty simple. Between the designing, cutting, fitting, and welding, it took me about8 hours of my time. They're even tilted slightly so water ect can't sit on the top of them easily. Only 1 other person has these on their car now and I think I charged him $85 for me to make them. Not alot but I've got more time in them than I want to admit.
I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to making something and if it's not right I start over again. Here's a few pics of what they look like so you can see how simple they are, but this doesn't show how long it took to make them or design them.
Not to mention these are made by hand, not machine
Now knowing this what should I chage for them? Unassembled and cut I would say at least $85 for a pair, but I doubt that I'd sell enogh to make it worth my time.
I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to making something and if it's not right I start over again. Here's a few pics of what they look like so you can see how simple they are, but this doesn't show how long it took to make them or design them. Not to mention these are made by hand, not machineNow knowing this what should I chage for them? Unassembled and cut I would say at least $85 for a pair, but I doubt that I'd sell enogh to make it worth my time.
nickygn23
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Wow ,I didn't mean to piss off the gods like some of the member said. I am neither a child or a whiner like other member have said. I have simply stated my opinion. If you don't like it so be it. Leave the rude comments out ot my thread. I am a true turbo regal fan since they were manufactured. I have put thousands into my car to make it perfect . I'm going to be buried in this car . I just said that down pipes are !@#$%^ expensive. Thanks
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Now knowing this what should I chage for them? Unassembled and cut I would say at least $85 for a pair, but I doubt that I'd sell enogh to make it worth my time.
thing about that frame brace is its not limited to turbo regals or even gbodys as many vehicles (cheveles malibus etc) could make use of the brace , even still the market of those that would use them isnt large
not to mention that they already exist as a kit to reinforce that location , $45 at HRPartsnstuff
http://www.hrpartsandstuff.com/products/braces/8487gframebraces.htm
his kit has more than what he shows but if he showed it people would just copy it
DaRonne Edwards
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I understood what you were saying but then we have those people on here that have to be well you know. I have 3 turbo buicks at the moment and I enjoy the hell out of them. Well one is a project in the making but everythings there and its running. Just keep asking questions and you'll get aswers just be careful what you say around here. Some people on are here come off so rude but you'll learn alot from those members too. Sometimes sarcasm is great it shows confidence in my opinion. Think about usually when you come off sarcastic you know what the hell you are talking about right. I'm going to leave here stating that I have mad love for these cars and a passion for speed, thats why I own 3 and 1 85 Regal that I am putting turbo charged LS1 in it come this time next year after I finish my other GN project.
Didn't know Paul had the on his site, but I agree, it's not 1 design. Paul's are really simple but I still like mine better.
The vendors are probably only making $50-100 on a dp by the time the whole transaction is completed. They could cut their price by a third or more if they outsourced these dp's 100%. Then the buyer would bitch about poor quality and how they just spent a whopping $200 on a POS dp. Then they will come on the Internet and start a thread about it. This is precisely why you will only find die hard owners create new products. It really isn't for profit either. IMO the prices should be higher most often. How much does one think they should pay for a turbo? How about an intercooler? What about other machined components that are sold by our vendors that start with a country of origin of China or Taiwan? I dont think many of these guys have a clue how much this stuff costs to make. Even outsourcing requires a minimum order and thousands of $ being tied up for months and then a product that is being sold to a niche market. I'll say that I've done several turbo upgrades in the last year with forged milled compressor wheels from Taiwan. Guess what they aren't cheap. Even with a fairly short 40-50 minute cycle time on a 5 axis the cost can reach up to $300 per wheel! If this was done here it would be $700/wheel and probably require a 10 minimum order! Can i convince someone that a wheel that costs me $700 has to be marked up to $800 then the other costs associated with blueprinting the assembly? I doubt it. Its hard to convince some that spending $500 is the right move. If you want quality even with overseas product it is as expensive as hell. There is no escape. Owning a car like these is a luxury.DaRonne Edwards said:I think it depends on the cost of the item which will determine whether it be a flop or not. All 3 inch down pipes I see from vendors are basicly around the same price. Remember we have mambers on that have purchased old beat up downpipes for 300 bucks or more. So if one our vendors were to drop the price maybe 50-100 bucks, they won't be able to keep them in stock. But then again what do I know. I just thinking out loud.
usetaboost
SAY CAR RAMROD!!
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I never knew about the aftermarket bracing til after I had my car back together, shame on me for not doing the research. Charles I like your design, makes it look factory.
I don't care what car you are into, when it comes to the hobby it's expensive no matter what you own. When it comes down to it you are paying for someone else's time, not so much the product most of the time. If I had to pay someone for all the work I did on my car, I'd be living in it.
I don't care what car you are into, when it comes to the hobby it's expensive no matter what you own. When it comes down to it you are paying for someone else's time, not so much the product most of the time. If I had to pay someone for all the work I did on my car, I'd be living in it.
SS/GN
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Back to the original question
You get what you pay for and if it is for my car,I DEMAND the best so I phone RJC,HRparts and many other vendors here and i get thatthe first time every timeKevin
TakeAwayTheFear
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I've been looking at mods for the buicks and they aren't bad $$$ wise. All cars are different though. For example an evo 8 you can get a good 3 in turbo back for 800$ for a set of headers and cat back for a c5 your looking close to 3k$
Not to troll the post. But I have a brand new GBodyParts.com 3" Downpipe 304 Stainless steel w/ a test pipe if anyone is interested. Link below.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_i...d=402&osCsid=1806585bb6cda32288260aa6306f655d
Will remove this at original thread makers request. Just figured I'd save a lil bandwidth and post in here since we are on the subject.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_i...d=402&osCsid=1806585bb6cda32288260aa6306f655d
Will remove this at original thread makers request. Just figured I'd save a lil bandwidth and post in here since we are on the subject.
Pronto
No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.
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Well, you did ask "why" they were so expensive. You got your answer. If you can't make a part for yourself then you have to buy it or not replace that part. You could have just left the stock downpipe and saved your money. No one held a gun to your head. Look around at other cars, plenty of them have expensive parts just to get them to run 13s.
williamsGN
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He asked a question, got his answer.. those b!tchin should chill out, you act like someone is standing on your d!ck or something !
Cry me a river
Cry me a river
SS/GN
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He asked a question, got his answer.. those b!tchin should chill out, you act like someone is standing on your d!ck or something !
Cry me a river
Ouch
Kevin
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He asked a question, got his answer.. those b!tchin should chill out, you act like someone is standing on your d!ck or something !
Cry me a river
Lord knows I've step on my own a few times....... but I would NEVER stand on someone else's...........
Didn't know you had 3 inch legs.Lord knows I've step on my own a few times....... but I would NEVER stand on someone else's...........
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