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View Full Version : I am no longer making the BG RAM AIR MOD...


98BLKMOBILE
10-01-2005, 08:20 AM
From the horses mouth... I am no longer making the Mod, after 5 plus years of producing these prototypes I can no longer make these systems. Here is the best answer I can give you without typing a novel...

Back when I finally perfected the system I hired a prototype shop to make the main mod and funnels because I could not produce parts that were resilient enough to handle the extreme temperatures inside the hood coupled with the limited equipment I had in my basement. Not only that but the fabrication process was quite involved and consumed most of any free time. I almost pulled the plug back then but I found a shop that was willing to work with me and give a huge cost break to make the parts in lieu of me hooking them up with new customers in and around the toy industry (my profession). I am actually amazed they held the prices for me as long as they did but recently they informed me that they could no longer make these parts due to costing issues (they were actually losing money). People always roll their eyes when I say this but even with the price break the shop was giving me I was not making nearly enough money on these. It has always been a labor of love for sure. If anyone out there is familiar with prototyping it is extremely expensive. So why you ask don't I find the best materials and make these at home again? I now have 2 children and a job that is sucking the life out of me (the job not the kids LOL) The investment in money, time, and very low profit margin is not worth it any more. I have had several emails from people wanting to buy this mod asking me to make one more batch. I sincerely wish I could make one more batch or find a shop that would cut me another deal but I know that's not gonna. I'm sure I will get a million suggestions on how I could produce these but you need to trust me... I have been in the prototyping business for 18 years now, it's my job and life, there are no options for me to consider including fiberglassing, proto tooling, injection molding etc.

The good news for existing customers is I will continue to make the Rain Blocking Plate, Replacement Gasket, and Nostril Corner Pieces. These are all fairly easy parts for me to make here at home (compared to the cast parts of the system). As of today Afterthoughts Auto and Speed Inc will continue to sell those components.

I have met so many cool people along the way, I have customers all over the world including US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Germany, Kuwait... HPP magazine did an article on my mod, which I am very proud of.... If you have ever talked to me you know I'm not some guy trying to get rich... that is furthest from the truth, I'm just a guy that loves these cars and am grateful I had an opportunity to make something with my own hands that has made so many people exited about their passion... the WS6 :) Thank you all for making this a fulfilling adventure :)

Brian Greene

Mr. Luos
10-01-2005, 11:03 AM
Man, I never did get one either. Completely out I assume?

Good luck on your future endeavors!!
If someone was interested, would you be willing to sell the design? I can't do it, but someone else might.

predator
10-01-2005, 04:49 PM
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! that was gonna be one of my first mods when i got a car... and this is the only kit like this isnt it?

On Spray
10-02-2005, 01:05 PM
Glad I got mine it's a awsome kit! Glad to hear you will still be making gaskets and stuff though.

BrntWS6
10-02-2005, 01:42 PM
Damn, I'm glad I bought mine too. It was actually the first mod I did to my car and I love it. Quality piece and makes the ram air work like it should. I'm suprised another company hasn't offered to buy the rights and produce it themselves.

NeeD4SpeeD
10-03-2005, 08:45 PM
CRAP!!!! I was just going to order one in 3 days when i got payed :rubeyes: awww this stinks... Well pal good luck on everything in the future!!! My best of wishes to you!!!

As for me.....:think: does anyone have a BGRA kit there willing to sell?????

Zentenk
10-03-2005, 08:54 PM
Where can I see what this mod looks like?

Jeff2002WS6
10-05-2005, 01:32 PM
Man I was just waiting to get a little extra money so I could get mine. What about a GP last run?

nightstalker50
10-06-2005, 09:13 PM
why dont you just increase the price to make a profit???

LIGHTS_OUT
10-07-2005, 06:33 AM
This $ucks I was going to buy one this month

01WS6_4_ME
10-08-2005, 03:42 PM
Sad Sad Sad :wtcslap:

camaronx
10-09-2005, 02:28 AM
Ya i'd like to see what one looked like because i have done nothing in the way of producing more cold air other then ram-air h.o. hood and i think it is suggested with nitrous and i have $1000 dollars worth of new zex nitrous stuff lating in my room.

RGR Pete
10-11-2005, 07:49 PM
Thanks BG, I gained 3mph and 2 1/2 tenths with your mod. Lifes to short to not have free time to spend with the family. RLTW

NeeD4SpeeD
10-11-2005, 08:21 PM
I do wish someone would have a BGRA 4 sale or a left over one! I'm really dying to buy it!

_JB_
10-12-2005, 08:33 PM
I do wish someone would have a BGRA 4 sale or a left over one! I'm really dying to buy it!

Yeah, I was going to get one next spring.

LUGNUTT
10-14-2005, 06:54 AM
98blackmobile, Maybe air inlet systems could build them.

ButchN
10-20-2005, 06:28 PM
Brian, it's bummer your not making them anymore. :(

I am very happy with the kit I bought from you & the install you did for me was great. :bravo:

Brian lives about an hour from me & personally installed my BGRA kit. :thumbup:

Thanks!

Jeff2002WS6
11-02-2005, 10:20 AM
Anybody ever rig up something just using the gasket that is still sold? What could be done with that?

Jersey_TA
11-09-2005, 01:12 PM
I love the BGRA that I have in my WS6. Thanks for making such a quality piece. I gained 25 miles per tank of gas while driving on the highway from your mod :)

Honboy1
11-12-2005, 09:58 AM
$300.00 to anyone wanting to sell their BG Ram Air?????? Any takers????

Jeff2002WS6
11-30-2005, 10:08 AM
Any news on this? Has anybody else had any success in taking over the rights?

32of32
12-26-2005, 01:47 PM
Any news? Anything else like it in production?

Tom's 99TA
12-27-2005, 03:44 PM
Anybody have any information on this? I have been in the plastic injection molding business for 16 years. I am the technical supervisor over the molding, maintenance and tooling department. I have many connections. I do not know what the mod consists of, but I am sure interested in hearing or seeing what it is.

32of32
12-28-2005, 06:14 AM
Anybody have any information on this? I have been in the plastic injection molding business for 16 years. I am the technical supervisor over the molding, maintenance and tooling department. I have many connections. I do not know what the mod consists of, but I am sure interested in hearing or seeing what it is.

I guess you mean the plans for the pieces not in production any longer?? Someone out there should be able to help locate the info for ya.

98BLKMOBILE
12-28-2005, 07:59 AM
Hi Tom,
Brian Greene here... in simplest of terms it's not worth it, I have been in the injection molding business for 8 years specializing in prototype aluminum tooling. I am now a project manager and work in product design and development, I source tooling in the US but mostly in China, I have researched the feasibility of making tooling for these parts but the tools would be fairly large and expensive, not to mention the conversion of the parts from existing patterns over to electronic data (or pantographing) which would be very costly. I was able to offer the parts previously because I worked a deal with a prototype shop in lieu of me hooking them up with clients but that was over 5 years ago and now the cost of RTV Silicone and plastic material costs are too high and they stopped making parts due to the sheer expense. Annually I only sold 100 or so of these and more recently the numbers were dropping off pretty quickly. If you have an idea of how I could get tools made that would justify less than 100 systems sold per year that would not drive the entire system cost over $300 (retail) I'm all ears. PM me and I'll give you my phone number so we can talk.

Thanks
Brian

32of32
12-28-2005, 09:58 AM
Hi Tom,
If you have an idea of how I could get tools made that would justify less than 100 systems sold per year that would not drive the entire system cost over $300 (retail) I'm all ears. PM me and I'll give you my phone number so we can talk.

Thanks
Brian


And when you guys have it figured out, you can send me a kit as a thank you for brokering this conversation :canada:

Tom's 99TA
12-28-2005, 02:31 PM
Pm'd