Feeler thread for Strut Tower bars for s12s, and Carbon fiber hoods.

Started by psycolistic · Oct 5, 2011 · 137postsSMF 2010–26

psycolisticOct 5, 2011, 10:25 pm · #1

AOD, All Out Drift. we are making strut tower bars for s12's. should have about ten ready to ship in two weeks. There made using the MKII hood for clearance, i don't know about the MK1 hood yet ill find out if they fit next week. also if you have a swap and need more room let us know and we can figure something out.
we can anodize them a few different color, tomorrow we will have the list of colors up. the brackets can be painted at no charge but to anodize is $40 extra. The price for a none anodized bar is $150 and anodized is $190 plus shipping.

We are also offering carbon fiber hoods. We need a min of 50 orders for the hoods and the estimated price for them would be $500 each. The hood is modeled after an MKII hood. We can put hood scoops into them but at an un-estimated cost.

Please post any questions/inquiries.

NapstaOct 6, 2011, 5:44 am · #2

Hey mate, im keen on a strut brace for my s12. How much for shipping to Australia Gold Coast 4213

Cheers, Mike

JayOct 6, 2011, 7:06 am · #3

Good luck!

MaxpowOct 6, 2011, 8:03 am · #4

Sick. Wish I still had an S12.

Are they going to be non-adjustable (I hope)

vegasS12Oct 6, 2011, 9:54 am · #5

depending on the clearance and how they look i'll be interested in the strut brace. on the hood i would like to see actual product.

psycolisticOct 6, 2011, 9:55 am · #6

Napsta on 05:44:13 AM / 06-Oct-11Hey mate, im keen on a strut brace for my s12. How much for shipping to Australia Gold Coast 4213

Cheers, Mike

I'll find out how much shipping is today.

Maxpow on 08:03:51 AM / 06-Oct-11Sick. Wish I still had an S12.

Are they going to be non-adjustable (I hope)

Yes they will be non-adjustable i should have a photo up of them soon

Post Merge: 10:02:34 AM / 06-Oct-11

vegasS12 on 09:54:54 AM / 06-Oct-11depending on the clearance and how they look i'll be interested in the strut brace. on the hood i would like to see actual product.

We should have our site up soon with all the info and specs. Also we do offer to fix it for free if you purchase a strut bar and it doesn't fit

sam31183Oct 6, 2011, 12:21 pm · #7

where in oregon are you located? When these are available i might drive down and install one of your bars in your driveway and take a duece in your bathroom before i leave.

sideways_s12Oct 6, 2011, 12:51 pm · #8

awesome! I would be interested as well would like to see the finished product first...

psycolisticOct 6, 2011, 3:21 pm · #9

sam31183 on 12:21:48 PM / 06-Oct-11where in oregon are you located? When these are available i might drive down and install one of your bars in your driveway and take a duece in your bathroom before i leave.

Central Oregon

sideways_s12 on 12:51:34 PM / 06-Oct-11awesome! I would be interested as well would like to see the finished product first...

I have someone working on the site to get up and running and i'll post a link to the site when its available. It will have pictures as well as specs

Post Merge: 03:46:30 PM / 06-Oct-11

Napsta on 05:44:13 AM / 06-Oct-11Hey mate, im keen on a strut brace for my s12. How much for shipping to Australia Gold Coast 4213

Cheers, Mike

So far the cheapest i've found for shipping to Australia is $100.65 (usd) just in shipping thro the postal service. I'm trying to look in to more companies to ship tho to find a better price

PigpenOct 7, 2011, 12:02 am · #10

Napsta on 05:44:13 AM / 06-Oct-11Hey mate, im keen on a strut brace for my s12. How much for shipping to Australia Gold Coast 4213

Cheers, Mike

Price to ship on strut bar to you is 100, and thats every day shipping we are setting up a business account and that should be allot cheaper to ship.
By the way im business partnered with psycolistic, we will both be posting of an on.

NapstaOct 7, 2011, 5:58 am · #11

Ok im very interested now, how long until you would be setting up a business account to get the possibly cheaper shipping?
I am happy to wait, but i too would love to some pics of the product and also colors available for coating.

Let me know mate, very keen on some decent s12 gear!

Cheers, Mike

ashleyanneOct 7, 2011, 4:50 pm · #12

Interested for MKI for both strut tower bar and carbon fiber hood.

PigpenOct 7, 2011, 10:51 pm · #13

Napsta on 05:58:45 AM / 07-Oct-11Ok im very interested now, how long until you would be setting up a business account to get the possibly cheaper shipping?
I am happy to wait, but i too would love to some pics of the product and also colors available for coating.

Let me know mate, very keen on some decent s12 gear!

Cheers, Mike

It should be next week by Friday before we get everything set up and should have the strut bars done by then but the hoods wont be done till closer to the end of the month.
We are starting to work on rear strut bars and c pillar bars they should be done by the time the hoods are ready!

Post Merge: 11:01:42 PM / 07-Oct-11

ashleyanne on 04:50:16 PM / 07-Oct-11Interested for MKI for both strut tower bar and carbon fiber hood.

i dont know if we are going to do a MKI hood, we are starting with the MKII hoods and maybe a turbo hood.
Did you just what a flat CF hood with out the rise in the middle?

SpooledOct 8, 2011, 10:14 am · #14

DAMN! I want a CF hood bad, and have money ready to go, but there is NO WAY you will get 50 people buying them. If you're making any hoods at all, I will take one. MKII is my preference anyway. Please let me know!!!

nismo_200sxOct 9, 2011, 4:03 pm · #15

why sell these so expensive? you can buy an s13 adjustable tower bar for 40 bucks plus 25 shipping and they are name brand. like tenzo, megan, eibach. etc

MaxpowOct 9, 2011, 4:24 pm · #16

But their en-lies the problem, they're "adjustable" which means they do next to nothing. Non-adjustable make a much bigger handling improvement because they offer static anti-roll support.

ArroOct 9, 2011, 4:34 pm · #17

I moved this to the Lounge section, because I've always been particular about "ready to sell" vs. "coming soon".... we've had some vaporware vendors on here before who promised us things that never happened. Not saying that will be you, but ask people on here and they'll back up what I'm saying, it's happened a lot here.

When you get the products ready to sell, then post them in "Product Advertisements", not "Wanted to sell", because you're going to be a vendor, not a private party selling specific one time goods.

I do hope you get some of these things made... we've never had the hoods, and it's because either nobody wants to (or has the money to) invest in a group purchase, or because guys who promise to make them for us flake out. I even had someone who promised to make us shit, a guy who lived in the street next to my house, and he flaked on it big time.

As far as strut braces go, I'd also prefer one that is non-adjustable, because I know that those do little good on our cars. Our unibodies flex a LOT, so where some cars can get away with an adjustable width brace, ours still move a bit. We have exact geometry for the engine bay and strut towers in the FSM's which are on here if you search for them, so you should be able to use that to determine the width and length. As far as height goes, you need to make something tall enough to clear the VG30E intake plenum, or the FJ20/KA24DE valve cover (those both slant and stick the corner of the cover up high). I have both an FJ S12 and a KA24DE S12, and would be happy to take photos and measurements, because I would really like to see a fixed position brace.

Anyways, hopefully soon we'll see what you can provide for us.

ProlowtoneOct 9, 2011, 4:44 pm · #18

^ I feel my car flex going around tight corners :S I would be interested in seeing the finished product.

PigpenOct 10, 2011, 4:29 am · #19

Arro on 04:34:29 PM / 09-Oct-11

As far as strut braces go, I'd also prefer one that is non-adjustable, because I know that those do little good on our cars. Our unibodies flex a LOT, so where some cars can get away with an adjustable width brace, ours still move a bit. We have exact geometry for the engine bay and strut towers in the FSM's which are on here if you search for them, so you should be able to use that to determine the width and length. As far as height goes, you need to make something tall enough to clear the VG30E intake plenum, or the FJ20/KA24DE valve cover (those both slant and stick the corner of the cover up high). I have both an FJ S12 and a KA24DE S12, and would be happy to take photos and measurements, because I would really like to see a fixed position brace.

oh ok no problem.
as far as the clearance goes for a fj, ka and vg that would be nice to have measurements cause all we have is the ca's to go off of. also put in what hoods you have with what motor.

Post Merge: 04:35:31 AM / 10-Oct-11

nismo_200sx on 04:03:27 PM / 09-Oct-11why sell these so expensive? you can buy an s13 adjustable tower bar for 40 bucks plus 25 shipping and they are name brand. like tenzo, megan, eibach. etc

as max pow said the adjustable ones dont do a hole lot, i have four or five friends with name brand adjustable bars on there s13's and they bend alot. The ones we are making are non adjustable and they wont bend at all.

MaxpowOct 10, 2011, 10:14 am · #20

Maybe offer an oregon/cali/washington guy a free bar if he/she drives up there with a vg30e for measurements. Not sure how else you will find an SE in Oregon.

ArroOct 10, 2011, 10:21 am · #21

When I get out of class today I'll get you both the FJ and the KADE data if I can figure out the best way to measure.

JayOct 10, 2011, 10:29 am · #22

The best way is to use a coat hanger or thick mechanics wire to mock it up. That way you have all the angles too.

nismo_200sxOct 10, 2011, 9:07 pm · #23

why so expensive though? it would take about 30 dollars of material to make it. is it aluminum or mild steel? is it gonna be pretty like stainless steel? if so i can see why its expensive. shipping a strut tower bar should be like 40 bucks max if you go through anything but the usps. they use the same package holder as shipping a poster. having a business account/address would make it even cheaper. id say a price total shipped would be no more than 120 bucks to make a significant profit without milking us supporting board members.

Wolf DilworthOct 10, 2011, 11:55 pm · #24

Tejas VG owners want to know... I would like to see a finished product, too. VG fit a must.

SpooledOct 11, 2011, 11:19 am · #25

More info on the hoods. Are you getting any made? If so, please sign me up! Cash in hand.

psycolisticOct 11, 2011, 6:57 pm · #26

Spooled on 11:19:20 AM / 11-Oct-11More info on the hoods. Are you getting any made? If so, please sign me up! Cash in hand.

We are working on getting our business licensing through. We should have an update of where we are at within the week.

nismo_200sx on 09:07:36 PM / 10-Oct-11why so expensive though? it would take about 30 dollars of material to make it. is it aluminum or mild steel? is it gonna be pretty like stainless steel? if so i can see why its expensive. shipping a strut tower bar should be like 40 bucks max if you go through anything but the usps. they use the same package holder as shipping a poster. having a business account/address would make it even cheaper. id say a price total shipped would be no more than 120 bucks to make a significant profit without milking us supporting board members.

I'm not milking you that shipping was to Australia while using usps, i'm going to be looking into other means of shipping. Also i was out hunting so i wasn't able to check other places for pricing. I am back now and continuing to do what i said i would. the reason they are so expensive is because we are making these for more than just ourselves so we would go through; Materials, labor, machine parts, and custom fitting. We are trying to keep them cheap enough to cover our expenses and make a small profit.

Arro on 10:21:50 AM / 10-Oct-11When I get out of class today I'll get you both the FJ and the KADE data if I can figure out the best way to measure.

Sooner the better.

Wolf Dilworth on 11:55:34 PM / 10-Oct-11Tejas VG owners want to know... I would like to see a finished product, too. VG fit a must.

Finish products will be posted soon. Send me the measurements

Post Merge: [time]08:11:48 PM / 11-Oct-11 [/time]

These are how we would do the hoods. This one if for a supra, the only difference would be we would use a MKII hood and it would be smaller than the one in the photo
posted image

This is the start of the design of the strut bar
posted image

Also as a variation for the strut bar we were thinking.
posted image

Please post questions/inquiries

Wolf DilworthOct 11, 2011, 7:44 pm · #27

Spooled on 11:19:20 AM / 11-Oct-11More info on the hoods. Are you getting any made? If so, please sign me up! Cash in hand.

You guys, forget the damn hood. He said there needs to be 50 orders committed before they will do a run.

Very unlikely that they will even invest in a plug/mold without the 50 orders... Sigh.

psycolisticOct 11, 2011, 7:50 pm · #28

Wolf Dilworth on 07:44:46 PM / 11-Oct-11You guys, forget the damn hood. He said there needs to be 50 orders committed before they will do a run.

Very unlikely that they will even invest in a plug/mold without the 50 orders... Sigh.

Actually we wont need the 50+ orders. We just need our business licensing to go through and we should be good to go, that is after we get the mold and everything for the hoods. We probably wont start with the hoods till the end of the month.

iceagegOct 11, 2011, 7:53 pm · #29

psycolistic on 06:57:56 PM / 11-Oct-11the reason they are so expensive is because we are making these for more than just ourselves so we would go through; Materials, labor, machine parts, and custom fitting. We are trying to keep them cheap enough to cover our expenses and make a small profit.
Post Merge: [time]08:11:48 PM / 11-Oct-11 [/time]

Having done a ton of custom parts fabricaton (primarily aluminum) I can understand what you are seeing here. Big props to you for taking the risk that you will get a return. When I get my next S12 I will consider your parts first just for having stuck your neck out. I understand we are all looking for a bargain, but even 50 of something does not constitute an economically viable volume of product. We have unique vehicles. New, unused parts are going to cost more based on the quantity and demand. Unfortunate, but true.

I_heart_VVLOct 11, 2011, 8:12 pm · #30

psycolistic on 07:50:45 PM / 11-Oct-11Actually we wont need the 50+ orders. We just need our business licensing to go through and we should be good to go, that is after we get the mold and everything for the hoods. We probably wont start with the hoods till the end of the month.

well how many orders would you need?
ever planning to make FRP pieces? id be soooooooo down for an FRP hood.

psycolisticOct 11, 2011, 9:09 pm · #31

iceageg on 07:53:20 PM / 11-Oct-11Having done a ton of custom parts fabricaton (primarily aluminum) I can understand what you are seeing here. Big props to you for taking the risk that you will get a return. When I get my next S12 I will consider your parts first just for having stuck your neck out. I understand we are all looking for a bargain, but even 50 of something does not constitute an economically viable volume of product. We have unique vehicles. New, unused parts are going to cost more based on the quantity and demand. Unfortunate, but true.

We no longer need the 50+ ppl to order.

I_heart_VVL on 08:12:57 PM / 11-Oct-11well how many orders would you need?
ever planning to make FRP pieces? id be soooooooo down for an FRP hood.

I was thinking of incorporating an FRP hood. We just need people who are willing to buy the hoods for us to start making them. The soonest we would be able to start on hoods would be the end of the month. The strut tower bars on the other hand we can start shipping as soon as next week. I will have a pic of the finished strut bar up probably this weekend.

Jeremy AOct 11, 2011, 9:50 pm · #32

I'm really excited to see where this goes, has the potential to be mega badass!

axlegreaseOct 11, 2011, 10:10 pm · #33

I am so in for a hood, turbo or mk2! Maybe later on down the road you can make us an frp hatch, that would be bad ass!

Wolf DilworthOct 11, 2011, 10:23 pm · #34

What does that supra hood weigh? Looks way over built... Just sayin. I do like the fact that you are not chop-gunning your hoods, but gawd that is some heavy weave.

At $500.00 a pop, plus shipping, you are going to sell a hand full at best. I am all for you proceeding with this project but be warned that not many folks will plunk down seven big, or more, for a hood.

A load of cash to save the weight of a car battery. OK, maybe a battery and a starter... LOL

psycolisticOct 12, 2011, 11:31 am · #35

Wolf Dilworth on 10:23:21 PM / 11-Oct-11What does that supra hood weigh? Looks way over built... Just sayin. I do like the fact that you are not chop-gunning your hoods, but gawd that is some heavy weave.

At $500.00 a pop, plus shipping, you are going to sell a hand full at best. I am all for you proceeding with this project but be warned that not many folks will plunk down seven big, or more, for a hood.

A load of cash to save the weight of a car battery. OK, maybe a battery and a starter... LOL

The supra hood is very light. I don't have the weight but it is light enough for people to throw around easily. The supra hood is more expensive than the ones we will be making because its so big. Its not for sure $500.00 a pop it could be less it could be a little more $500 is roughly what the supra hood costs so thats how we estimated it, that is why its an estimated price. We wont have the exact price till the end of the month when we start doing them.

zastabaOct 12, 2011, 6:58 pm · #36

I hope this turns out for once. Too many good intentions come and go.

Wolf DilworthOct 12, 2011, 9:03 pm · #37

I am hopeful for your endeavor and would like to see this happen. There are many on the forum that would like to see it happen and some may even make a purchase. I am doing a FRP cowl induction version for myself, back burner project right now.

Keep us posted. I have this on my watch list.

psycolisticOct 12, 2011, 9:23 pm · #38

zastaba on 06:58:03 PM / 12-Oct-11I hope this turns out for once. Too many good intentions come and go.

Agreed thats why i'm trying to get this working and moving, while still staying cheap.

Wolf Dilworth on 09:03:14 PM / 12-Oct-11I am hopeful for your endeavor and would like to see this happen. There are many on the forum that would like to see it happen and some may even make a purchase. I am doing a FRP cowl induction version for myself, back burner project right now.

Keep us posted. I have this on my watch list.

I appreciate the support and i will keep everyone posted.

NapstaOct 14, 2011, 6:35 pm · #39

Any updates on the Strut braces mate? Also i forgot to mention mines a MK1 so i dont know how much luck im going to have.

psycolisticOct 14, 2011, 7:42 pm · #40

Napsta on 06:35:06 PM / 14-Oct-11Any updates on the Strut braces mate? Also i forgot to mention mines a MK1 so i dont know how much luck im going to have.

We needed to order some metal, and they are kinda dicking us around at but we should have it at the beginning of the month.

ArroOct 16, 2011, 11:26 am · #41

If you're going to base your hood on a Mark II, then count me out, because neither my FJ or my KA will fit. I need the turbo bulge for clearance.

Those two strut bars, same problem. I've been in midterms last two weeks but later today I might be able to use some wire like Jay suggested.

psycolisticOct 16, 2011, 11:32 am · #42

Arro on 11:26:26 AM / 16-Oct-11If you're going to base your hood on a Mark II, then count me out, because neither my FJ or my KA will fit. I need the turbo bulge for clearance.

Those two strut bars, same problem. I've been in midterms last two weeks but later today I might be able to use some wire like Jay suggested.

I'll talk with pig pen about the hoods. If you get the measurements for the bar i'm sure i'll be able to adjust it to angles needed.

DjayS12Oct 16, 2011, 1:09 pm · #43

MKII hood clear the KA24DE with 240sx engine mount.

Colonel GustardOct 16, 2011, 1:47 pm · #44

turbo hood is just a flat hood with the schoop mounted on, no real extra clearance

psycolisticOct 16, 2011, 2:26 pm · #45

Colonel Gustard on 01:47:20 PM / 16-Oct-11turbo hood is just a flat hood with the schoop mounted on, no real extra clearance

Thats why we were thinking the MKII hood. But everything is preference so its up to the consumer

night_s12Oct 16, 2011, 7:35 pm · #46

Im down for a strut bar man how much to ship one to west palm florida?

psycolisticOct 16, 2011, 7:38 pm · #47

night_s12 on 07:35:56 PM / 16-Oct-11Im down for a strut bar man how much to ship one to west palm florida?

I'll find out tomorrow. At this time i know for sure about shipping is that the whole west coast is about 15$ shipping and australia is $100 for a strut bar.

night_s12Oct 16, 2011, 9:27 pm · #48

Alright. Let me know.

psycolisticOct 18, 2011, 12:42 pm · #49

Alright so here is an update of what i know. We have been dicked around with the metal for the brackets for the strut bars. We should have them at the begining of next week. so we should start selling soon after that. About the carbon fiber hoods, we will not be able to start them for about 6 months. Also i am being deployed for about 4-5 months, i leave nov 15 so there will be a slight stand still till i get back. Also Pig Pen will be leaving too. But till then we should be able to sell. If interested please pm me your info (contact, what you want, ect.) and i'll get back with you about everything.

psycolisticOct 19, 2011, 8:47 pm · #50

Alright so i will have the metal for the strut bar brackets tomorrow