New Carbon Fiber Strut brace ready, looking for input *Big DUW*

[stang99svt]

Its taken 6 months but its finally done and I’m looking for your input.
This is a top of the line engineered product.
The ends are 6061T billet aluminum followed by complete sheet of carbon fiber and clear coated to produce one of the best looking STB to the market yet.
Its also been designed to allow clearance for both V6 and V8 owners.
The prototype has anodized end which would be available when its ready for production in blue, red and chrome.
Here's are the pics so let me know what you think.

Total setup comes in around 3lbs which is mostly the ends. Bars also come with a 100% guarantee not to break.
For marketing reasons I would be releasing the first 10 kits at slightly lower prices.

 

[ruffy]

It looks good. I think you have yourself a winner.

 

[PolkThug]

Nice!

 

[nbk13nw]

Looks incredible. Is it still on for this weekend maybe? The fittings?

 

[MyBlueOval]

Looks good! I might even buy one of the 1st ten kits at "slightly lower prices".

The "nice" Steeda STB price is slightly higher than what you're proposing. The "less pretty" Steeda STB is half the price.

 

[svtash]

looks awesome. I would mmaybe buy one of the first 10 as well for the cheeper price. Im a big fan of most carbon fiber parts. Think you have a winner but at 300 bucks might steer some people away.

 

[REDFIRE 05 GT]

Looks great, bit pricey burt sweet........

 

[Hatchman]

Looks really nice. However, I'm not sure about the swivel ball type mount on the ends. It looks a lot like the gearing linkage for a motorcycle, where swiveling and moving parts are requried. But it seems like this part, it really doesn't need a swivel or to be able to twist and move, more like it needs stability and a SOLID MOUNT to prevent moving and twisting, which is basically what it is for.

In other words, it looks great, but I don't believe it will be much a of a benifit in ride or preventing body roll. I think a solid bar would provide less "play".

 

[stang99svt]

The retail side will come in around 290-300 but in retrospect to the steeda part you'll be getting a heck of alot more. We will be working out a cheaper version in the future which will incorporate a less sophisticated billet end. We went with the FK rod end because of fittings between the V6 and the V8. SO to keep cost down we went with something that would be more universal. But again in the movement of the STB, it move left to right and vice versa. Once the product is properly installed it supplies more then enough rigidity for any mustang owners need. But yes it also a bling part.
I have some contracts ready for several large distributors so different ends might come out depending on orders but for the most part if we sell 10 a month that’s enough for us.
Their will also be a stand alone billet strut tower part derived from the current billet end, we just remove the part of the billet end which would hold the rod end. The billet ends are actually the most costly thing at this time, so if we can come up with a cheaper part then the price would go down.

 

[Vandil]

I like it, I'll be on the list for a blue one.

When are you going to have the first production units completed?

 

[stang99svt]

Blue bar or blue ends?
After confirmation with owners on V6 fitment we'll roll into production.

Blue billet ends probably won't be to hard to do but I can't see doing blue bars any time soon. Because of CF shortage in the world and considering the cost of the rolls (retail is about 3000.00 per roll-100 yards) I would have to spend up front about 25K per color batch.
And then i end up with way to much product on hand with just one color bar. Price would no doubt be higher with colored bars then basic black CF.

But I'm still investigating.....

 

[Vandil]

Ford Blue anodized ends of course, the bar looks fine in plain CF in my opinion. Should look pretty slick in there with the stock black intake and sonic blue engine bay.

Any chance you'll work up an insert for the hollow area in the end caps like the Steeda billet part has ?

 

[stang99svt]

Yes that’s already in the works. But currently trying to keep initial cost down. Everything is made in the US so prices can get steep fast with this stuff.
Currently hitting up some international friends to see what we can do about manufacturing over seas and getting some lower pricing.

 

[svtash]

Looks really nice. However, I'm not sure about the swivel ball type mount on the ends. It looks a lot like the gearing linkage for a motorcycle, where swiveling and moving parts are requried. But it seems like this part, it really doesn't need a swivel or to be able to twist and move, more like it needs stability and a SOLID MOUNT to prevent moving and twisting, which is basically what it is for.

In other words, it looks great, but I don't believe it will be much a of a benifit in ride or preventing body roll. I think a solid bar would provide less "play".

This is a good point. Correct me if i am wrong but isnt the point of these things to help cut down on body roll/twisting? With the swivel ends wouldn't it just swivle and let the body still twist through the corners? Looks awesomw but how will it preform compare to others with a solid mount?

 

[stang99svt]

The heim joint end is just part of the prototype for fitment this weekend. The production part will have a static mount.
I had heard this was an issue with steeda braces.

 

[Vandil]

What's the difference between the end links you're using and the spherical rod ends on the steeda billet tower brace? They look very similar to me.

 

[Hatchman]

The heim joint end is just part of the prototype for fitment this weekend. The production part will have a static mount.
I had heard this was an issue with steeda braces.

Roger that, makes sense that you needed a little swivel and adjustability to test application.

Sign me up for one in red/carbon fiber.

 

[stang99svt]

We used the end links because we needed some give and take during the test fits for the confirmation.
The last step of R&D is to confirm fit for both models. We know it will fit V8's but last time we check we had only .35" of spacing between the intake manifold and the brace with teh V6 models. We MIGHT need to put further modifications to the billet end that would raise the brace some more.
Otherwise we will have essentially a T bar, if theirs any issues with movement we'll address it.

 

[SVTdriver]

I'd be interested in hearing more about this.

 

[gp001]

Its taken 6 months but its finally done and I’m looking for your input.
This is a top of the line engineered product.
The ends are 6061T billet aluminum followed by complete sheet of carbon fiber and clear coated to produce one of the best looking STB to the market yet.
Its also been designed to allow clearance for both V6 and V8 owners.
The prototype has anodized end which would be available when its ready for production in blue, red and chrome.
Here's are the pics so let me know what you think.
Price is still up in the air but look for around 290-300.00
Total setup comes in around 3lbs which is mostly the ends. Bars also come with a 100% guarantee not to break.
For marketing reasons I would be releasing the first 10 kits at slightly lower prices.

Nevermind, I thought I was in the Tech forum (DOH!). I'll let Doc deal with this one since it's his forum