07-03-2013, 03:04 PM
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#1133 (permalink)
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Enthusiast Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 258
Drives: 2013 370Z
Rep Power: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F.I. Inc.
Update,
We are at what we call "The Limbo Stage." This is the time in between the initial testing and the production kits being installed and/or shipped. Alot of downtime here on the forum and all seems calm. I can assure you we are working away getting everything perfect for our customers.
Many key components for our TT Kit are complete, in the shop and ready for installation and shipment. Other components are currently in production.
We have decided to raise the bar even higher than the prototype. (No the price is not going up.) The oil relocation adapter plate along with oil line fitting plate on the side of the engine block were off the shelf Moroso parts used for the prototype. Some of the other oil/water fittings were custom fabricated as one off pieces by us in house for the prototype. These were all phenomenal parts however they are not time or cost effective for production.
So in 3D CAD Solidworks we have designed our own application specific parts for the 370Z. This is the same process as how our exhaust manifolds were designed. Manufactured on a CNC Mill all of the following parts are comprised of "Billet Aluminum."
-Oil line adapter (side block mounted)
-Oil filter relocation adapter
-Coolant fittings
-Turbocharger oil drain fittings (O Ring) to eliminate the gasket.
In addition all of our silicone couplers are 4 ply black/black custom with our new logo stamped on them. All intercoolers will be pressure tested in the fabrication process. This will ensure a consistent quality product either installed or shipped. All of our turbochargers weather it be the Garrett GT28RS or GTX-2867R will be clocked and locked down to their installed rotation prior to boxing and shipment. This will ensure the installer has to spend less time figuring things out during the installation. We are taking everything into account to ensure the installer has the smoothest install possible.
The production exhaust manifold process is coming along quite nice. We have enlisted the services of a local machinist with over 35 years experience in his field. He told us the design we brought him is the most elaborate and complex exhaust manifold he as ever seen. Needless to say we brought him a challenge. Nothing is impossible if you enlist the right people. The tooling for the exhaust manifolds is nearly complete. We are also working with a local foundry state side to cast the exhaust manifolds. I am very proud to say we are manufacturing all of our custom parts here is the USA! Aside of the obvious right reason to do that, manufacturing our turbo parts locally is the only way to ensure the highest and consistent quality. Sure it comes at a price, but why settle for less!
Over the next 5 weeks we plan to do the first 2-3 installations in house. During that time we will write the installation manual step by step for our TT Kit. From that point forward we should be ready to start shipping out orders. Currently there are 11 kits pre ordered. We are producing all of the components for the first 25 kits. For once Fast Intentions may actually have something in stock. Once we have 18 kits sold we will start producing parts for the next 25 kits. This gives us a cushion of 7 kits to work with in stock. Our goal is to have it on the shelf ready for you when the order is placed.
To close,
We currently are working with 3 shops to be recognized as our "Certified Installers." What this means is either myself or Dan will fly out to their location and personally train their technicians on the first install. In addition their will be special tooling created by us to minimize the installation time. All certified installers will have these tools. We hope this is a big selling point for the potential buyer knowing they will have their kit installed by a properly trained technician at a fair price. We want to have 7-10 certified shops in strategic places throughout the country. This way every customer is in reasonable driving distance from a certified installer. The shops so far are,
SpecialtyZ (Chatsworth, Ca)
Grubbs Nissan/Screaming Lizard Customs (Dallas/Fort Worth, Tx)
Forged Performance (Atlanta, Ga)
More updates will follow with pictures of the newly custom designed parts along with the production manifolds. Please stay tuned as the limbo stage will be ending soon. If anyone has any questions at all or would like to place an order please do not hesitate to call me directly.
Thank you all for your time.
Tony
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Are these shop also authorized/experienced installers of Fast Intentions exhausts for 370Zs?
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