any fabricators here want to build my TT setup?
Jul 26, 2007 | 05:24 PM
#13
Originally Posted by RotaryResurrection
I fully understand that. I run my own business building rotary engines...I have a good idea about labor and time. I've been successful for 8 years because I saw fit to charge only what I felt was necessary for the work I do, and my rates turn out to be about 25-40% below industry standard. Therefore I always have as much work as I want and the business has been good to me and my family.
I was expecting to pay as much as a grand for the fab work. Someone with a truck to fabricate on could take the parts I have and put it together in about 3 or 4 days time max. I'm not looking for a complete install...just 4 pipes...and I already have the mandrel bends to make the pipes out of, they simply need cut and welded. And, in my opinion, a grand is awfully good money for a few days' worth of work with no materials required (other than a chop saw and some weld rods).
Maybe I just have an overly simplistic view of life, though.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like this was a bad idea.
I was expecting to pay as much as a grand for the fab work. Someone with a truck to fabricate on could take the parts I have and put it together in about 3 or 4 days time max. I'm not looking for a complete install...just 4 pipes...and I already have the mandrel bends to make the pipes out of, they simply need cut and welded. And, in my opinion, a grand is awfully good money for a few days' worth of work with no materials required (other than a chop saw and some weld rods).
Maybe I just have an overly simplistic view of life, though.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like this was a bad idea.
I have spent more then a day figuring out once piece or location. Becuase it effected all others down the line.
Bill got it right give Synergy a short they may offer the parts you are looking for already done ready to go.
Keep us posted on the end results.
Rick
Jul 26, 2007 | 05:33 PM
#14
Originally Posted by RotaryResurrection
I fully understand that. I run my own business building rotary engines...I have a good idea about labor and time. I've been successful for 8 years because I saw fit to charge only what I felt was necessary for the work I do, and my rates turn out to be about 25-40% below industry standard. Therefore I always have as much work as I want and the business has been good to me and my family.
I was expecting to pay as much as a grand for the fab work. Someone with a truck to fabricate on could take the parts I have and put it together in about 3 or 4 days time max. I'm not looking for a complete install...just 4 pipes...and I already have the mandrel bends to make the pipes out of, they simply need cut and welded. And, in my opinion, a grand is awfully good money for a few days' worth of work with no materials required (other than a chop saw and some weld rods).
Maybe I just have an overly simplistic view of life, though.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like this was a bad idea.
I was expecting to pay as much as a grand for the fab work. Someone with a truck to fabricate on could take the parts I have and put it together in about 3 or 4 days time max. I'm not looking for a complete install...just 4 pipes...and I already have the mandrel bends to make the pipes out of, they simply need cut and welded. And, in my opinion, a grand is awfully good money for a few days' worth of work with no materials required (other than a chop saw and some weld rods).
Maybe I just have an overly simplistic view of life, though.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like this was a bad idea.
I just finished a single turbo setup that took almost 100hr's to do.Yes,I had the bends. As Trick said the welding has to be precise.If 1 pipe moves the whole pipe setup is junk which happens alot.I do most of the welding on the vehicle which is a pain to prevent this.
Put it this way.I can make any Turbo kit for these vehicles and have done many.When it came down to doing one on my personal truck I ordered a kit from Trick Performance to save alot of my time fabricating my own.
Jul 26, 2007 | 06:01 PM
#15
If you where closer to me (btw, where are you?) I would probable take you up on it, but I just build these things on the side. I don't have a truck that I could take off the road for a week to mock it up on. My truck was down for a week and a half to do mine and it about killed me, 
Keep looking you might find some one.
Keep looking you might find some one.
Jul 26, 2007 | 07:33 PM
#17
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From: Morristown, Tn
I am located in east Tn, near knoxville. There is one guy around here that does custom fab work and welding for turbo/IC setups, mostly on imports...but he takes his dear sweet time (months) in doing it and I can't be without the truck that long. A week, 2, maybe even 3...sure.
As far as cost of living, I recognize it is different in other areas. Prior to starting my business I worked 6 years as a machine setup man in a production factory. I was trained by the best man in north america on the equipment and was one of the top 3-4 guys in the plant on that equipment. Most weeks were 60-65 hours and bring home was around $500-550, which is pretty good money for around here...average is probably 400 or so a week.
So yeah, I make $500-1000 per engine I build after materials, and I build about one per week on average...and that is pretty good money in this area so I feel I have no reason to ask for more. Conversely, other engine builders charge 2 or 3 times as much per engine.
As far as cost of living, I recognize it is different in other areas. Prior to starting my business I worked 6 years as a machine setup man in a production factory. I was trained by the best man in north america on the equipment and was one of the top 3-4 guys in the plant on that equipment. Most weeks were 60-65 hours and bring home was around $500-550, which is pretty good money for around here...average is probably 400 or so a week.
So yeah, I make $500-1000 per engine I build after materials, and I build about one per week on average...and that is pretty good money in this area so I feel I have no reason to ask for more. Conversely, other engine builders charge 2 or 3 times as much per engine.
Last edited by RotaryResurrection; Jul 26, 2007 at 07:40 PM.
Jul 26, 2007 | 07:49 PM
#18
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From: Morristown, Tn
Originally Posted by TrickPerformanceProducts
Asking for help is never a bad idea, I think. But at the same token, you can not ask and then say it should only cost this.
BTW, thanks for the constructive comments thus far. Looks like I'll be doing a writeup sometime in the future as to how to buy and install everything for a twin setup for under 5 grand including hot parts/tune/fuel/intercooler.
Jul 26, 2007 | 08:15 PM
#19
Glad you are open for comments...
You get what you pay for... when it comes to hot parts. Everybody has an opinion including what THEY expect for quality and longevity.
Spend $1k... and you MAY get what you want... and it MAY last for a year or 2. Know that up front and you'll be good to go... but don't come back bitchin because you spent gutter pricing...
I am REALLY looking forward to your write up on your competitive pricing... on a twin setup that is low cost that you will stand behind... AND you can make money on in THIS truck market
Bill
You get what you pay for... when it comes to hot parts. Everybody has an opinion including what THEY expect for quality and longevity.
Spend $1k... and you MAY get what you want... and it MAY last for a year or 2. Know that up front and you'll be good to go... but don't come back bitchin because you spent gutter pricing...
I am REALLY looking forward to your write up on your competitive pricing... on a twin setup that is low cost that you will stand behind... AND you can make money on in THIS truck market
Bill
Jul 26, 2007 | 08:31 PM
#20
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From: Morristown, Tn
Make no mistake; this will be for my truck alone. The info will be posted for all to see how it was put together and what the materials cost was (even at retail) in case they wanna try it themselves. This may "take the magic away" from the prefab kits, so to speak, but I get the idea that there are a lot of check writers on this forum so it probably won't matter anyway, most owners are just going to buy a kit and bolt it on.
And yes, you're correct in that I'm not looking to build a kit that will still be like-new and shiny 10 years down the road. Like most people on this forum, I swap vehicles every 3 or 4 years, and usually de-modify my setup before selling the old vehicle. So, 3-5 years would be fine by me. But, really, not a lot goes wrong with a piece of pipe, and a weld generally holds for years if it holds for a few days; put another way, if a weld is going to fail, it'll usually fail not long after being put into use. So really, kit longevity is not a real big concern to me. As long as the turbos themselves are of good quality (mine are) then you are usually good to go. I've put on dozens of turbo kits onto rx7s and have seen all levels of build quality.
And yes, you're correct in that I'm not looking to build a kit that will still be like-new and shiny 10 years down the road. Like most people on this forum, I swap vehicles every 3 or 4 years, and usually de-modify my setup before selling the old vehicle. So, 3-5 years would be fine by me. But, really, not a lot goes wrong with a piece of pipe, and a weld generally holds for years if it holds for a few days; put another way, if a weld is going to fail, it'll usually fail not long after being put into use. So really, kit longevity is not a real big concern to me. As long as the turbos themselves are of good quality (mine are) then you are usually good to go. I've put on dozens of turbo kits onto rx7s and have seen all levels of build quality.
