Quote: Hemigod, Since you ask, the manufacturing cost on this unit with shifter and linkage is $3865. Please keep in mind that this was developed from a clean sheet of paper. We didn't take an off the shelf trans and try to make a bunch of crossmembers and bellhousings and try to jam it into a muscle car. These things cost money. Believe me, I wish it would have been cheaper to build, but the fact is that it wasn't.
I'm not gonna sit here and lie to anyone. we are in this to make a profit. Although, I love this stuff, we need to eat too. It seems that too many times, people want a stellar product and expect companies to design, develop and manufacture the product and not make any money.
Lets face it... If this was easy or cheap to do, then why has NO ONE stepped up to the plate yet? We were the first. Would I like to make more on it, sure, but I feel that $4295.00 is a fair price when considering the options. This is what we need to sell the unit for to continue the project. Most of the feedback I have gotten has been positive, some negative. That is to be expected. I just want everyone to know where we are coming from on our pricing.
I would like to take this time to thank everyone that supported us on this project and those that continue to support us. I realize that this transmission is expensive and it isn't for everyone. But truth be told, we are really right around the same costs as the "others" out there, and this requires no mods to the car. Also, it is a true afternoon swap. In my book, there is value added to the product because of this fact. Hopefully others will agree there. Thanks, Jamie
great product, very fair price...for all the schmucks who say it's too high, you have no idea the amount of cost tooling up something like this is, especially on a low volume. I'm sure if Jamie had a projected volume of say, 50k units a year, it would be about half the price, due to being able to spread the tooling cost over a number of additional units, or changing manufacturing processes...
when I worked at a shifter manufacturer, I worked on the design for the 6 speed Holden Commodore. projected volume was 1500 units/yr. that low of volume required making a number of pieces out of machined stock vs. a die casting or forging, because it was just too expensive to make a $20k+ tool for 1500 units annually. the base was sand cast aluminum with a ton of secondary machining that was over $20 our cost, but that was cheaper than our typical die cast aluminum or powedered metal tower (with no secondary machining) riveted onto a sheetmetal base, because you couldn't amortize the dies over only 1500 units annually....on some of the rubber and plastic molded parts, it was cheaper to make a new prototype level tool that would last for about 2000 shots every year than a full production type tool over the life of the project. IIRC that shifter, our cost was over $100. if it were a projected 30k units a year, we probably could have made it for ~$30, maybe less.
1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD 1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!*** 2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
