ckpaden, if we knew each other better you would realize that I wasn't telling you that you are wasting your time; I was just looking for an excuse to say "whacking off" on the perf bulletin board!

Here is how I relate to your DIY perspective: my own DIY experience is extensive. I can/could machine an Abbott/KIC rip-off brace myself, as I have the skill and the access to CNC and non-CNC mills and lathes. I just didn't want to, and the price for the finished piece seemed OK to me.

The other thing I have (that you presumably don't have) is direct experience with turning a DIY project into a for-sale product. Once upon a time I designed and fabricated an aluminum motor mount for the c900 to replace those terrible OEM hydraulic units. The design and materials are relatively simple. It you saw one, you would likely say "oh that's about $10 in metal" like no-name on this thread. But to actually make that lump of metal into a real product involves design time, raw materials, hardware, bushings, machine shop time, assembly, finishing, anodizing, packaging, shipping, advertising, etc. until that $10 in materials costs you $60 to get out the door. If I added in my own labor, each mount would cost over $100, and NOBODY wants to pay that much for a motor mount, so ignored labor and sold a few dozen units in the $75-80 price range.

I concluded that (1) the "performance Saab" market is absolutely miniscule and that (2) it is damn near impossible to get a Saab owner to part with his or her cash. Any company that wants to venture into this black hole has my instant respect just for trying...in this case I bought the KIC product and I hope that they can provide more products in the future.


posted by 63.207.93...

• steering rack clamp design #3 Brace design 1 design ?'s, ckpaden, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 14:03:59
  • how about strut brace?, davenew, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 08:49:10
    • Re: how about strut brace?, sean, Mon, 3 Mar 2003 13:04:02
    • some curve around the engine, ckpaden, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 11:38:22
  • What about just substituting the existing rubber insert, Nervousaaber, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 21:56:02
    • Re: What about just substituting the existing rubber insert, ckpaden, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 22:35:50
  • Rack brace questions, comments, TimF, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 18:37:42
    • Re: Rack brace questions, comments, ckpaden, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 22:42:02
    • Re: Rack brace questions, comments (long), Wray, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 21:02:55
      • my gut-level analysis: (very long), TimF, Sat, 1 Mar 2003 21:38:15
        • Front-to-back is a problem, Ravi, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 13:49:55
          • Is it really noticable?, TimF, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 15:56:24
        • Re:Re: my gut-level analysis:pretty short, Wray, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 05:46:54
  • Re: steering rack clamp design #3 Brace design 1 design ?'s, philip, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 15:23:22
    • why would I spend that much?, davenew, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 18:33:31
      • Re: why would I spend that much?, phil, Sat, 1 Mar 2003 15:44:21
      • I agree, Nemo, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 20:43:42
        • I disagree, go to abbot site and run the numbers, davenew, Sat, 1 Mar 2003 15:34:32
    • Are these kits as easy to install as they look? n/m, Ben S., Fri, 28 Feb 2003 16:57:29
      • Re: Are these kits as easy to install as they look? n/m, nickR, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 18:11:50
        • Re: Are these kits as easy to install as they look? n/m, ckpaden, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 22:51:30
    • Re: I've got the KIC brace, damiens, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 16:21:59
      • GET REAL!! it's an rip off of the Abbott design, ckpaden, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 17:02:04
        • Re: GET REAL!! it's an rip off of the Abbott design, viggamon, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 20:13:35
          • Thanks I appreciate that!, ckpaden, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 22:52:36
        • business plan..., damien, Fri, 28 Feb 2003 19:07:40 <-- Viewing This Message
          • Agree with everything said!, SteveY, Sat, 1 Mar 2003 13:02:52

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