Overpriced suspension parts??
 

Just wondering what other 370Z owners think about the Chris Forsberg/ Voodoo13 steering angle kit-
http://voodoo13usa.com/wp-content/up.../AKNS-0400.jpg
$4370.- on sale... :ugh2:

This steering angle kit for the 350Z has most of the same elements as the CFR/Voodoo kit. But the retail on this one is only $800- http://www.partsshopmax.com/e107_fil...8_dsc04334.jpg
So yeah, I'm hoping to get a discussion going. Currently the CFR/ Voodoo kit is the only steering angle kit offered for the 370Z/ G37.

The money is in the upright ...... not cheap to spend that much time in CNC and Mill just turning a big hunk of ali into ali-chips ...

Maybe... but then why can Voodoo13 sell this similar CNC part @ only $200- retail for the pair??
http://voodoo13usa.com/wp-content/up..._1-600x400.jpg

I just don't see the why the CFR kit is so overpriced there's only two parts that are CNC machined for this application only. Based on their own pricing that means the spindles would be around $3000+ alone. :shakes head:

Or maybe they should offer up this kit WITHOUT spindles :icon17:

Not similar.

Also, think of the number they'll sell for the 370Z, mayyyybe 1 set, so they need to make up for the lack of quantity made.


Lastly, I believe they do and you can buy the pieces separately

That CNC part @ $200- is the front tension rods from another platform- Why don't you think the two CNC pieces are similar??
The application is for the JDM S-15 Silvia or Skyline R34 RWD only. So it's not like they will be in high volume & effect pricing.

But I'm glad to have this discussion going! I'm really hoping somebody can point out something other than the fact that the CFR kit has Chris Forsberg's name stamped on it- so it's marked up just from his name... because the other pieces from Voodoo13 are quite reasonable actually-

So this leads me to believe the kit is indeed overpriced- I think you're right on though at $4,370 I see them really only selling a few kits, however if they would sell the kit around their regular pricing of their other retail parts, then this kit would be priced around $2000. I think at that price there would be a number of buyers. However that's just my opinion-

To my knowledge the CFR kit is not offered by any vendors ala carte. If you know otherwise please correct me or steer me to a link/ vendor. :tiphat:

That's not surprising, LG Motorsports has billet aluminum "drop spindles" for Corvette C6 and the set is priced at thousands of dollars. In a spindle or a hub carrier made of a massive billet, most of the aluminum is "wasted"; plus the amortization is in a very low production number, driving the cost even higher.

Thanks for adding that info. :tiphat:
The C6 Corvette drop spindles would have been totally off my radar. It looks like a pair of these LG C6 spindles on their own run $1,420- much more reasonable than our $3,000+ spindles.
http://www.lmperformance.com/images/...ragspindle.jpg

I'm personally more familiar with additive manufacturing from my studies, but I do know that with subtractive manufacturing, like milling, the main cost huddle is still the 3D modeling and not so much the dimensions of the piece (within reason). The difference in pricing from these manufactures is further leading me to the conclusion the CFR kit is priced too high. Also I'd like to point out that any "wasted" aluminum milled away from the process does get collected and recycled. But as it's a common practice to reduce costs and you put it in quotes I'm sure you knew this already. It may benefit somebody though.

Your argument for the low production effecting costs is valid, I'm just curious as too why other CNC projects from Voodoo13 I assume to be low production, like the JDM S-15/ R34 RWD front tension rods I mentioned above, are not also sky high in price?

last week it was tommy kaira knobs, this week suspension bits :shakes head:

:iagree:

Those Fujimura parts man..... So pricey!

When I was building my Camaro I had a friend that did CAD design, there was a few custom parts we designed and had to get a machine shop involved to do the milling after we settled on something. One of the parts were radiator/fender supports. The going rate at that time was about $120 for a set of billet from 2 of the main stream and were rather plain looking, threw him a case of beer for the design and $20 for the machine work... In most of cases your paying for the machine and the knowledge to set it up.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...s/P1010257.jpg

Any JDM parts have inherit price mark ups lol I know that better than most. I've bought and sold my fair share ;)

But this kit was designed and made by Voodoo13 (Arizona) as a main sponsor for Chris Forsberg and his 370z formula D car. The R&D costs shouldn't really be passed on to the general public because that's part of the sponsorship.

I've meet Chris in person the first time was almost 10 years ago at a local drift event. He's very approachable and really cares about his sport and the promotion of it. I've even found him chatting and giving advice on internet drift forums. He's a very down to earth and humble guy.

Voodoo13 makes some high quality parts and other than this kit are at reasonable pricing. So why is it that when these two positive forces team up it's a bad thing??

I think I might be the only person to weigh in here yet that would actually purchase and use this steering angle kit, and in my opinion based on everything I've seen and compared so far it's waaaaaaaaaaaay over priced. Maybe I'll just fly out to all of Chris's drift events and collect his slightly used bits off the track haha I think that might be more cost effective :icon17:

That's awesome!! But I don't know who was the better friend in the story, him for doing you a solid and furthering your project or was it you for paying mostly in beer?! :yum:

That cost shouldn't be passed on to the customer?

How would the company make its money back though? All R&D and promotions are made up in the company's margin. And I'm sure the margin on these parts is astronomical, for good reason though

What I'm saying is this: If you make a one-of kit in sponsorship of a competition car and then decide to sell it to the general population in low quantities- the full costs of the project shouldn't be placed on the public buyers. Part of that sponsorship should include eating some of the sunk costs that go into R&D. Otherwise it's more like the public who actually are paying the inflated cost of this kit end up being the real sponsors. Think about it-