Ghostrider

So if you look at that one and then the new one, that's only a four horsepower gain. Not much to right home about... Which got me to thinking that the biggest change was the Manifold's and the WHEELS!! Even though they are 3 piece wheels they are still bigger and heavier than the stock wheels that I used to make the intial run.

I would also like to apologize!! This drug out way longer than I would have expected, but I must say I am very pleased with the numbers, +10 whp and +10 wtq. In addition to this I engaged a respected tuner from here on the forum to try and get a custom software tune to maximize the gains, drivability, and the overall health of the engine.

So please let me know what you think about the results.....

da_guitarist

10WHP is very nice. I bet those would be cheaper if they could be mass produced...but then how many vehicles could they bolt onto directly? and of those vehicles, how many would be willing to spend $X on new manifolds

If they were about half price, I would be VERY interested. Wish we had enough people interested to get a good chunk out of the cost!!

Ghostrider

That is always a possiblity.... All one would have to do is gather enough interest and it would go from there.

sick430

how many people are we talking about i want a pair just cant pay that much right now. we need to see how many cars this whould fit on and start posting it around.

Ghostrider

I pretty much did this with us (W208's) in mind. However, I'm sure there is more than enough of these cars out there between the 430's and 55's that we could make something happen.

I just need to know who all would be interested in getting some.

da_guitarist

I'm interested. No guarantees, depends on # of people => final $$

Ghostrider

There are a few others interested. I am working on seeing what more can be done, but the more we get signed up the lower the prices will be.

The other good thing I found out is these pieces will also work on the W202 C43 AMG!!!

sick430

i want it as well but again it all depends on the fianl price.

Ghostrider

What do you think would be a good price for these....

da_guitarist

I think 700-800 is a reasonable range if we have 10+ buyers. Esp considering the one time cost...

Ghostrider

It would take more like 15+ to get the price down that low... When you say considering the one time cost, what do you mean??

I like this mod. A lot!! Between the gains and the ease of installation it's pretty hard to beat...

da_guitarist

Well, the more you sell, the more you spread out the initial costs and the design costs (FIXED costs). If you buy a bulk amount of material, cost goes down, and if you can machine back to back, there is little waste time in between. producing a higher quantity typically drains down the cost. If I was making 10 of these, it would be worth automating some of it or making a machine tool design. only 1, why not hand make it? I doubt there is much more than $500 is variable cost per unit (labor time, material)

Silv430ClkR

count me in for a pair of them

E55 PWR

I would need to see precise before & after dynos with the only difference being headers and done in same weather conditions and etc in order to accurately determine the HP gain. thx

Ghostrider

Okay, I see what your saying... That is very true if they were to be a mass produced item or even waiting on the shelf to be sold.

I'm just one guy with an idea... Really and truly the intent behind the whole thing was to be a custom one off piece that I commissioned for myself, but seeing the gains and the lack of a lot of aftermarket items available to us, I thought others may be interested.

So, what it comes down too is, the more people that would like them the lower they would be for all of those involved.

bbearden

I may be interested in the future if you can be in the $700-800 price range. Thats a great price on a set of headers for a Benz, espec. 304 stainless steel. Showing before and after dyno runs would help sell alot of these if you had a reasonable gain with them. What started as a one-off could actually become quite profitable for you!

Ghostrider

I hear what you are saying but I have posted all the information that I have. I would have done things a whole lot differently if I had planned on making these available. I wasn't sure if they were even going to work.. Which meant having something of my own that didn't work or having something of someone elses that did.

I went with me, and like the song says ' God bless the child that's got his own...'

Ghostrider

I am currently seeking permission from the Admins to do a group buy. I did look into sponsorship but I couldn't afford it from the outset.

Ghostrider

I have the before and after's. Just not right before and right after. They are posted in the earlier threads.

Ghostrider

Trying to maximize flow and durability, we refined the design of the headers...

Ghostrider

I hope you like....

otoupalik

Nice, glad to see you are still moving forward.

One big important piece of advice - you REALLY need to step up the pipe diameter as you add each runner. Otherwise you will have reversion and back pressure as it is. Just an FYI.

da_guitarist

they look super sweet, what all have you changed since the hp/tq gain before?

Ghostrider

Thanks bro!!!

This is actually the third iteration... We used a thicker gauge metal for the construction, a higher temp coating - JetHot Extreme Sterling, the black is to help dissipate heat. Also this design was made to smooth out the flow from cylinder to cylinder.

Ghostrider

Thanks Brad... It's not as easy as it looks either!!! I take my hat off to you guys who get up and do this everyday.

How so, on the reversion and backpressure??