Reflections on GTM over the years

gbrettin · 09-02-2014, 10:15 AM

Maybe you could buy the F.I. Manifolds and make those work with a little fabrication work?

FPenvy · 09-02-2014, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

Maybe you could buy the F.I. Manifolds and make those work with a little fabrication work?

no idea how those would line up. i know the FI kit is primarily all V-bands. not sure what the GTM kit has off the top of my head or without looking up pics.

Kojack · 09-02-2014, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

Maybe you could buy the F.I. Manifolds and make those work with a little fabrication work?

Someone asked about it. FI will not sell just the manifolds. You'll have to buy the complete kit

Edit: I think CJ Motorsports made manifolds only but it's v-band

phunk · 09-02-2014, 03:07 PM

We made a set of manifolds for our 350z, to put GTX3076R's on the side. They arent exactly available for order, although we could make more. These were about fitting really large turbos... probably larger than anyone else has put on the side of the VQ (rather than down below like most the big turbo VQs). These manifolds would be a pain in the *** for anyone wanting to install them to their GTM kit. Nothing would fit up correctly, and you would have to redo everything and buy new turbine housings.

If someone sent us the GTM manifolds, we could make bolt up replacements for them. Depending on how many people wanted them, and depending on what style, we could probably make a batch of them.

Things to consider:

More people (possible GB), brings costs down

Fabricated has less upfront investment and less initial time involved than cast, but has higher individual costs unless the volume is REALLY high, which it wouldnt be. Fabricated ones stay just as hard to make forever, where castings are easy as pie once the expensive tooling is built and refined.

Fabricated can be easily repaired by any welder if it ever cracked. Cast *can* be repaired, but nobody wants to do it or trusts it.

Cast is able to produce nicer smoother runners in tighter spaces than fabricated reasonably can. Fabricated can make very nice smooth runners and collectors but takes more space to do so.

We could also do a hybrid billet SS and fabricated manifold that would be SICK, but we would be looking at $$$.

If someone sends me the GTM manifolds, I can put the flange relationships into CAD and then we could consider options if you guys wanted.

G37sHKS · 09-10-2014, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phunk

We made a set of manifolds for our 350z, to put GTX3076R's on the side. They arent exactly available for order, although we could make more. These were about fitting really large turbos... probably larger than anyone else has put on the side of the VQ (rather than down below like most the big turbo VQs). These manifolds would be a pain in the *** for anyone wanting to install them to their GTM kit. Nothing would fit up correctly, and you would have to redo everything and buy new turbine housings.

If someone sent us the GTM manifolds, we could make bolt up replacements for them. Depending on how many people wanted them, and depending on what style, we could probably make a batch of them.

Things to consider:

More people (possible GB), brings costs down

Fabricated has less upfront investment and less initial time involved than cast, but has higher individual costs unless the volume is REALLY high, which it wouldnt be. Fabricated ones stay just as hard to make forever, where castings are easy as pie once the expensive tooling is built and refined.

Fabricated can be easily repaired by any welder if it ever cracked. Cast *can* be repaired, but nobody wants to do it or trusts it.

Cast is able to produce nicer smoother runners in tighter spaces than fabricated reasonably can. Fabricated can make very nice smooth runners and collectors but takes more space to do so.

We could also do a hybrid billet SS and fabricated manifold that would be SICK, but we would be looking at $$$.

If someone sends me the GTM manifolds, I can put the flange relationships into CAD and then we could consider options if you guys wanted.

I have extra set of gtm manifold you want them.

phunk · 09-10-2014, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G37sHKS

I have extra set of gtm manifold you want them.

Well... I dont want them! LOL... But if you want to strategically throw them away by sending them to me, I can put the flange orientation and coordinates into CAD and quote you guys fabricated replacement/upgrades.

But I cannot make any promises until they are in my hands. I know they are very compact and it MIGHT be unreasonably difficult to attempt a fabricated replacement.

All I would do is the CAD work, and machining the flanges. I have close friends that are fabricators that do that part for me. I only tell you this because I know you guys know how long it can take me to get start-to-finish on complicated products that I have to do all myself. If a fabricated manifold replacement is a realistic option, it wouldnt take too terribly long.

DIGItonium · 09-09-2014, 08:24 AM

If I were to do this all over again I'd get F.I. or AAM, but that's not the case. My only guess for switching to V-bands is to replace the exhaust housing. There are a few choices down the road:

Overhaul the turbos and get new manifolds.
Brand new turbos, manifolds, and retrofit charge pipes from the turbos to GTM kit.
Sell the car to a gearhead to take over my project, take a deep breath, and relax for awhile.

Juztin · 09-09-2014, 10:36 PM

Welp CZP cancelled the order they had with GTM for the waste-gate conversion kit I placed with CZP (and not GTM thank goodness). They hadn't heard a single word from Sam @ GTM since 7/17 (before that was constant pestering and some back and forth comms) and they are owed some turbo kits as well aside from the waste-gate kit.

So that's what came of that 5 month wait for that. Wish I had better news for the folks that have GTM orders. Probably end up having my builder just fab up the waste-gate kit off of pictures. Ah well. GTM can't even get a couple of pipes and waste-gates together in 5 months for $1,200 potential sale.

Z eliminator · 09-10-2014, 07:30 AM

23 months waiting for the stage 3 SC upgrades.
15 months for the 4.2 stroker
gave him a fully dressed engine 100 miles on it.
Sent him my june cams.
paid in full, last Dec. 2014.

no chance of getting money back
Looks like a $ 30.000.00 dollar loss.

im a 11 year customer and this is the first time that he has not come through.
talk to him weekly.
Had trouble with the wrong valves for the stage 3 heads, had trouble with the engine rods.
All ways has to check with the machinist or engine builder to see what is happening.
it all ways 2 weeks,
he has not been well, we are very good friends, but business is business. and im very disappointed.

nobody to blame but my self.

Z

FPenvy · 09-10-2014, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z eliminator

23 months waiting for the stage 3 SC upgrades.
15 months for the 4.2 stroker
gave him a fully dressed engine 100 miles on it.
Sent him my june cams.
paid in full, last Dec. 2014.

no chance of getting money back
Looks like a $ 30.000.00 dollar loss.

im a 11 year customer and this is the first time that he has not come through.
talk to him weekly.
Had trouble with the wrong valves for the stage 3 heads, had trouble with the engine rods.
All ways has to check with the machinist or engine builder to see what is happening.
it all ways 2 weeks,
he has not been well, we are very good friends, but business is business. and im very disappointed.

nobody to blame but my self.

Z

$30K loss?!?

yea i'd be in the car or gettin on a plane to cali to beat it out of him.

that's a big chunk of change to lose to a company scamming this many people.

honestly i reaslly hope someone lawyers up and takes the whole company down. at first this was interesting to read but after seeing how many people have been screwed out of way to much money its just pathetic.

Cell · 09-10-2014, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z eliminator

23 months waiting for the stage 3 SC upgrades.
15 months for the 4.2 stroker
gave him a fully dressed engine 100 miles on it.
Sent him my june cams.
paid in full, last Dec. 2014.

no chance of getting money back
Looks like a $ 30.000.00 dollar loss.

im a 11 year customer and this is the first time that he has not come through.
talk to him weekly.
Had trouble with the wrong valves for the stage 3 heads, had trouble with the engine rods.
All ways has to check with the machinist or engine builder to see what is happening.
it all ways 2 weeks,
he has not been well, we are very good friends, but business is business. and im very disappointed.

nobody to blame but my self.

Z

Is the last part a joke? Why would you be the one to blame? You paid cash for a service/product to be rendered in a reasonable time. Almost two years with nothing to show for is something you should not blame yourself for. I really don't care how good friends you two are. There is no excuse to taking 30k and not completing what was agreed upon on a reasonable time and fashion.

phunk · 09-10-2014, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cell

Is the last part a joke? Why would you be the one to blame? You paid cash for a service/product to be rendered in a reasonable time. Almost two years with nothing to show for is something you should not blame yourself for. I really don't care how good friends you two are. There is no excuse to taking 30k and not completing what was agreed upon on a reasonable time and fashion.

I remember back when I thought Sam was a friend of mine...

I have spoken to "Z eliminator" on the phone once. He is way too nice of a guy!

elperuano · 09-10-2014, 07:43 AM

Ouch... ssorry to hear that. 30k is nice chunk of change. For him to pocket that and give you nothing in return is sickening.

Z eliminator · 09-10-2014, 07:51 AM

im sure that in the next 6 months he will have it ready.
Ive just missed my last 3, z drag racing days up here.
over the last year.
Vivid racing just called last week, my Ings + 1 body kit is here. including the fenders.

Why get a lawyer " American greed show" better option

Z

FPenvy · 09-10-2014, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z eliminator

im sure that in the next 6 months he will have it ready.
Ive just missed my last 3, z drag racing days up here.
over the last year.
Vivid racing just called last week, my Ings + 1 body kit is here. including the fenders.

Why get a lawyer " American greed show" better option

Z

yea whats another 6 months.........

honestly i think there should be something done legally.

letting it sit and wait is basically like giving them a slap on the wrist.

i feel like i'm watching goodell punish NFL players in this thread.

then sayin "hey Ray! nice left hook!"

09-09-2014, 08:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 43	If I were to do this all over again I'd get F.I. or AAM, but that's not the case. My only guess for switching to V-bands is to replace the exhaust housing. There are a few choices down the road: Overhaul the turbos and get new manifolds. Brand new turbos, manifolds, and retrofit charge pipes from the turbos to GTM kit. Sell the car to a gearhead to take over my project, take a deep breath, and relax for awhile. FPenvy and elperuano like this. __________________

09-09-2014, 10:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
Juztin Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: 505 Posts: 27 Drives: '07 350z Rep Power: 12	Welp CZP cancelled the order they had with GTM for the waste-gate conversion kit I placed with CZP (and not GTM thank goodness). They hadn't heard a single word from Sam @ GTM since 7/17 (before that was constant pestering and some back and forth comms) and they are owed some turbo kits as well aside from the waste-gate kit. So that's what came of that 5 month wait for that. Wish I had better news for the folks that have GTM orders. Probably end up having my builder just fab up the waste-gate kit off of pictures. Ah well. GTM can't even get a couple of pipes and waste-gates together in 5 months for $1,200 potential sale. Last edited by Juztin; 09-09-2014 at 10:40 PM.

09-10-2014, 07:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Z eliminator A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,659 Drives: 370 Z 7AT Sports Rep Power: 19	23 months waiting for the stage 3 SC upgrades. 15 months for the 4.2 stroker gave him a fully dressed engine 100 miles on it. Sent him my june cams. paid in full, last Dec. 2014. no chance of getting money back Looks like a $ 30.000.00 dollar loss. im a 11 year customer and this is the first time that he has not come through. talk to him weekly. Had trouble with the wrong valves for the stage 3 heads, had trouble with the engine rods. All ways has to check with the machinist or engine builder to see what is happening. it all ways 2 weeks, he has not been well, we are very good friends, but business is business. and im very disappointed. nobody to blame but my self. Z Kingbaby likes this. __________________ 12.343 @114.14 . 4.5 stroker motor is now being built. Dec 1 2015. Last edited by Z eliminator; 09-10-2014 at 07:38 AM.

09-10-2014, 07:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
Z eliminator A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,659 Drives: 370 Z 7AT Sports Rep Power: 19	im sure that in the next 6 months he will have it ready. Ive just missed my last 3, z drag racing days up here. over the last year. Vivid racing just called last week, my Ings + 1 body kit is here. including the fenders. Why get a lawyer " American greed show" better option Z __________________ 12.343 @114.14 . 4.5 stroker motor is now being built. Dec 1 2015. Last edited by Z eliminator; 09-10-2014 at 07:56 AM.

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09-02-2014, 10:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,297 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 589151	Maybe you could buy the F.I. Manifolds and make those work with a little fabrication work?

09-10-2014, 07:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
elperuano A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southwest FL Posts: 1,374 Drives: G37S Rep Power: 29	Ouch... ssorry to hear that. 30k is nice chunk of change. For him to pocket that and give you nothing in return is sickening.