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As most of you know, I'm getting headers and a new TB to plenum pipe made for my Grand Prix. I went to the shop yesterday and they've already got the new intake pipe pretty much done and it looks awesome. I'm using a brand new 2000+ Northstar throttle body that I got off one of the forum members (I forget his name, he had like 50 of them he was selling). But anyway, the shop has agreed to make more of the pipes to work with these Northstar throttle bodies for people who have the 96+ intake setup. In the end, you'll have to redo your vacuum lines to work with it, but it's a small price to pay. I'm also upgrading to an LS1 MAF that's 3.5" diameter as opposed to the old, small, and inadequate LQ1 stocker.
As for the headers, I was assured those will get made within budget and ahead of schedule. Flanges have already been mocked up, collectors are being made, and within a week the rough tacking should be complete. As for the prospect of getting more made, there is an issue. The guy who would be making th jig was not very enthusiastic about making one for something he may only make a handful of sets of a year. I told them he could expect to make maybe 6 sets a year, but apparently that's not enough. Because of this, he said he would make a jig, but it would cost something like $500-600 to make it. I think his mind can be changed, but I need a reason to change it.
So I'm asking all those who want to see this happen for two things:
1) Donate toward the cost of the jig. I want to help other members get headers, but 500-600 is more than half what I'm paying for the whole header setup. So if you want to see this happen, and could donate at least $20 toward it, it would help a great deal.
2) I need to convince him that there is a market for these headers and that people will actually buy them. If he knew he could get a bare minimum of 20 sets out of a jig he would probably be more inclined to make one. So I need commitments from you guys that if a jig is made, you will within a year order a set of headers for yourself. I'll then present the results to the guy and hopefully he'll be more inclined to make the jig and may even reduce his asking price to make one.
In the end I'm hoping that the headers and intake pipe with new TB can be sold as a package deal to really wake up these engines. We'll have to see how things go, obviously, but I'm optimistic that there's still enough enthusiasm out there for this engine to see it done. Keep in mind, no matter what I'm getting my headers and pipe. It's up to you guys whether or not you get yours.
As for the headers, I was assured those will get made within budget and ahead of schedule. Flanges have already been mocked up, collectors are being made, and within a week the rough tacking should be complete. As for the prospect of getting more made, there is an issue. The guy who would be making th jig was not very enthusiastic about making one for something he may only make a handful of sets of a year. I told them he could expect to make maybe 6 sets a year, but apparently that's not enough. Because of this, he said he would make a jig, but it would cost something like $500-600 to make it. I think his mind can be changed, but I need a reason to change it.
So I'm asking all those who want to see this happen for two things:
1) Donate toward the cost of the jig. I want to help other members get headers, but 500-600 is more than half what I'm paying for the whole header setup. So if you want to see this happen, and could donate at least $20 toward it, it would help a great deal.
2) I need to convince him that there is a market for these headers and that people will actually buy them. If he knew he could get a bare minimum of 20 sets out of a jig he would probably be more inclined to make one. So I need commitments from you guys that if a jig is made, you will within a year order a set of headers for yourself. I'll then present the results to the guy and hopefully he'll be more inclined to make the jig and may even reduce his asking price to make one.
In the end I'm hoping that the headers and intake pipe with new TB can be sold as a package deal to really wake up these engines. We'll have to see how things go, obviously, but I'm optimistic that there's still enough enthusiasm out there for this engine to see it done. Keep in mind, no matter what I'm getting my headers and pipe. It's up to you guys whether or not you get yours.
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