ZR1Net: parts development program

[rkreigh]

great idea, hard to execute under current directlion of the club.

R&D is big money, and the returns are tough to gain. but as a non-profit corp, as long as it can be "fully costed out" and priced to break even, it sure could work and it's a fantastic idea.

I think another approach is to stimulate vendors through free advertising on the site and newsletter and ramping up the "group buys"

if a vendor knows he can at least break even through a group buy, the incentive to develop a product is out there.

as long as there is demand, and a market, there will be a supplier. problem is, organizing a demand enough to encourage the supplier

as for me, I'm saving up for that 3D metal printer!!

look at "stupid" parts like the thermostat housing bringing 400+

sheesh, give me some sheet alum and a tig, and call it a day.

or better still have carter whittle it from billet.

thanks for suggesting this! it's a great topic, now see what response you get

[efnfast]

Could this stuff be available in the store. Then the forum could buy some and make it worth the manufacturers while by buying more than 1 at a time.

[RedSled]

Interesting idea. Can't imagine how it would work ($$$), but worth exploring.

[emmvette]

Originally Posted by efnfast

Could this stuff be available in the store. Then the forum could buy some and make it worth the manufacturers while by buying more than 1 at a time.

I think this is a good idea. With good judgement, it could go a long way to help with some products or even group buys where you "know" a certain number of items would sell in say 12-18 months, but may not sell all at once for a typical group buy.

It wouldn't always work perfect, ie. leftovers, but with common sense it would work well.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

DIS module would be a great start

How about a poll to determine how many DIS modules/ECMS actually completely failed. Include the following history of purchases in the Poll:

Chain tensioners
Piston Rings
Chain tensioner covers I am not sure what this is...the outer cylinder of the chain tensioners are steel and I have never heard of one needing replacement
Cams
Valves
Valve Springs
ECMS or other electronics

Jerry and Limey are already selling valves, valve springs, and chain tensioners. Pete is already grinding Cams. Carter I am sure can make all sorts of Covers out of Billet Aluminum.

And I have found very nice Billet Aluminum Oil Fill Caps and Belt Tensioner Pulleys already on Ebay and build the Tow Bar Adapters myself.

Craig has proposed a group buy on Billet Aluminum Alternator Housings.
Z51JEFF is in the process of building Door Sill Protectors.
Marc is making all sorts of Misc items.
ZFdoc is making the C4 Beam Plates.

And you have made yourself the MAP Covers.

Along these lines.....maybe a list of who is doing what now would be helpfull.

I doubt anyone will start making FX3 Actuators, Vacuum Canisters, Vacuum pumps for examples. Jerry is Making all sorts of gaskets, and even has available the NEW Secondary Linkages.

Polo-1 (Kevin) and Corvettenutz (Ted) for Example are providing all sorts of parts including DIS and ECMs and all sorts of engine parts including complete Heads, and Suspension Parts including the the Bilstein Shocks and FX3 Actuators from Salvaged Parts ZR-1s about as fast as the existing failures of those parts.

91zrocket and others have provided complete ZR-1s and complete LT5s for Part Out recently.

This discussion so far does not account for the Parts Hoarders like myself who have on the Parts Shelves Spares for Everything
Post 44 - Parts

It is hard to imagine the development/manufacturing costs of an ECM or DIS would be less than the current Salvage costs. It appears the Salvage ZR-1s and Salvage LT5s are coming up about as fast as these parts fail which failures are rare.

Just a little perspective on a great idea

Some more Information for ya:

SUMMARY Ebay Searches
Ebay Aluminum billet oil cap (fits 90' & 91' LT5 & L98)
Ebay Corvette Electrical Section 8A
Ebay Corvette Ignition Key
Ebay radiator Comb
Ebay LT5 2902 engine mounts
Ebay LT5 2713 engine mounts
Ebay LT5 PVC CV913C
Ebay LT5 PVC CV769C
Ebay LT5 Plug wires
Ebay LT5 Service Manual
Ebay LT5 Thermostat
Ebay LT5 Water pump
Ebay Power Antenna Mast
Ebay ZR1 Bosch 69225 Fuel Pumps
Ebay ZR1 LT5
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Chain
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Belt
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Bolts
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Engine
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Gaskets
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Plenum
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Secondary
Ebay ZR1 LT5 Throttle Body
Ebay ZR1 Alternator
Ebay ZR1 Bose
Ebay ZR1 Brake Pads
Ebay ZR1 Cat Back Exhaust
Ebay ZR1 Clutch Cylinder
Ebay ZR1 Coolant
Ebay ZR1 Corvette Clutch
Ebay ZR1 Radiator
Ebay ZR1 Spark Plugs
Ebay ZR1 Starter
Ebay Autometer 2343

NEW PARTS & SUPPLIES (BY MEMBERS)
New Items Designed and Fabricated TIPS
Pete's ZR-1 Garage
Adams Premium Car Care
Haibeck Automotive Technology
Jerry's Gaskets
White Racing Products
Jerry's PCV Connector
Carter Bling
Copland SS Air Box
cvette98pacecar Suede Headliners
LGAFF MAP Sensor Cover
LGAFF 90-95 emblems
LGAFF Tech Guides
Pete's Custom Racing Parts
Pete's Rebuilt Clutch Pressure Plates
rhipsher Reverse Lockout
VetteMed Valentine 1 Radar concealed
VetteMed Review Mirror with Compass

USED PARTS
Use of Facebook to find parts
Facebook buy, sell, trade parts
Buying, selling, trading ZR-1 (LT-5) parts
Crags list
Corvettenutz
Vette2Vette
ebay Justcorvette
Justcorvettes

USED EBAY STORE PARTS
eBay store: Corvette Salvage
ebay store: Dennys Corvettes
eBay store: Nook and Tranny LLC
eBay store: Redneck43 Corvette's Store
ebay store: slick300zx
eBay store: vettepros.usa

NEW PARTS
Antenna Parts
ARP
Auto Parts Warehouse
DeWitts Radiators
DeWitts Home
Ecklers Corvette Parts
Carolina Clutch
Clarks Discount
Corvette Central
Corvette HID
Doug Ripple Motor Sports
Guldstrand Racing
Mid America
Power Torque Systems
Randy Woods
RC Injectors
Ron Davis Radiators
SAMCO hoses
Stainless Works
Ebay ZR1 SKF BR930024 Rear Wheel Hub & Bearing

REPAIRS
Marc Haibeck (Performance)
Pete's ZR-1 Garage
Doc Don's (Radio)
ZF Doc (Transmission)
Gordon Killebrew C4 trouble shooting
Rebuilt water pump
TurnOne (Power Steering)

[scottfab]

No doubt about it Lee, good idea..
There's a lot of talk we could have now about which nut and which bolt needs to be fabricated (details) but it might be a good idea to develop a business plan for the idea.
Seems we have at least one in the group with business plan development experience.
The sequence of what happens in what order and when/if/how folks are re-numerated for their efforts etc.
For instance let's say I come up with a DIS equivalent. Maybe I get "in store credit" of such and such an amount I could use toward buying an improved glass top that Don came up with and leave the rest of the balance in an "account" of sorts. Once these understandings are in place there might be many who would step up.
Maybe we could self organize into teams.

[scottfab]

Lee, this thread can be converted into a Poll.

[LGAFF]

Not my website.....so I will let the powers that be think that one over.

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Not my website.....so I will let the powers that be think that one over.

You are the owner of the tread. You can add a poll.
Simply go to your original post and click "Thread Tools" then look for the "Add Poll" then enter in a list of possible selections that you can think of.
Or I suppose you could wait for someone else to start a new thread with the poll.

[Dynomite]

Well????

I do know that the development process is expensive and will take many iterations to develop an item that at most has very limited sales potential.....and that applies to ALL and ANY LT5 or ZR-1 part.

After you have an item developed (assuming you have permission from original developers) you face very stiff competition from those involved in Salvage of ZR-1s. Just Saying

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Not my website.....so I will let the powers that be think that one over.

I think ANYONE can create a Poll.