16w Engineering: Project Thread

[shocwav3]

I've been meaning to share some projects with you guys for some time now.
The passion to build and create started long before I actually had a skill set. I bought a drill press and a mig welder from home depot and thought I would build a cafe racer!
Needless to say I suceeded in destroying the first bike I owned.

Fast forward 12 years. A 9 year tenure in the Air Force as a machinist and a boat load of tools later I've got my own shop. I've been fabricating car and bike parts the last few years and I would like to share some. If there is interest in this post I will try to update it periodiclly.

First up: A new 5.0 coyote was getting the twin turbo treatment, so the owner came to me looking for a custom sheetmetal manifold, be gentle it's my first v8 mani

https://scontent-a-iad.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/10604603_771794406196212_2266069615530200883_o.jpg

 

[shocwav3]

Next up is my on going shop car. 87 E30. Started life as an auto/ETA.
M50 swap with custom intake manifold and throttlebody. All parts are machined in house.

 

[tarbellb]

Wow! MORE E30 photos!!

Your work looks pretty stellar, and your taste in cars leaves me wanting more.

 

[Idle Serge]

Wow--nice work!

 

[jhn9840]

Your work looks great. Post up as much as you like.

jhn9840
John

 

[RLaCasse1]

I've been meaning to share some projects with you guys for some time now.
The passion to build and create started long before I actually had a skill set. I bought a drill press and a mig welder from home depot and thought I would build a cafe racer!
Needless to say I suceeded in destroying the first bike I owned.

Fast forward 12 years. A 9 year tenure in the Air Force as a machinist and a boat load of tools later I've got my own shop. I've been fabricating car and bike parts the last few years and I would like to share some. If there is interest in this post I will try to update it periodiclly.

First up: A new 5.0 coyote was getting the twin turbo treatment, so the owner came to me looking for a custom sheetmetal manifold, be gentle it's my first v8 mani

https://scontent-a-iad.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/10604603_771794406196212_2266069615530200883_o.jpg

Are the three bolts on the front side of the 5.0 manifold actually inside of it? Are you confident they'll never, ever, ever, ever come loose? lol

 

[laser3kw]

I have a feeling that fuel rail will have to grow a little in the near future.

 

[Project_shadow]

Are the three bolts on the front side of the 5.0 manifold actually inside of it? Are you confident they'll never, ever, ever, ever come loose? lol

Red locktite
Just make sure everything is right first before it set

 

[shocwav3]

Thanks for the kind words and guys.

Casse1- Ive got them loctited, nylon lockers and staked. Ive had good luck with them done like that in my Throttle bodies.

 

[raddksn]

First v8 mani? WOW NICE WORK!!!

 

[shocwav3]

Simple battery Tie down

https://scontent-b-lga.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10616187_764966723545647_4183650603704509041_n.jpg?oh=71598cc194ad4d3b1186db1a268c9022&oe=549E5CD1

Transfer case cover on an AWD eclipse.

Same

 

[shocwav3]

First v8 mani? WOW NICE WORK!!!

Yup. Lots of lessons learned on it

 

[RLaCasse1]

Simple battery Tie down

https://scontent-b-lga.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10616187_764966723545647_4183650603704509041_n.jpg?oh=71598cc194ad4d3b1186db1a268c9022&oe=549E5CD1

Transfer case cover on an AWD eclipse.

Same

Are you a DSM'er as well? Or were these just made to be sold?

 

[shocwav3]

Are you a DSM'er as well? Or were these just made to be sold?

I had 2 Front wheel drive Tsi's back to back that I wrenched on. Sold the last one a few years back and have wanted another ever since. I guess the answer is "currently" no I'm not...

 

[NASTYZEN]

Beautiful craftsmanship! I really like your work.
Welcome to GJ ,please post some more.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Adding a general location to your profile just might help you get a few extra projects to work on.

Do you charge a premium because your work does look good ?


EDIT; feel free to send a PM if you don't want to discuss that stuff in public.

 

[Hghgrad]

I don't think we need to be gentle, that's beautiful work.

 

[shocwav3]

Beautiful craftsmanship! I really like your work.
Welcome to GJ ,please post some more.

Thanks! Ive been on here drooling over others work for quite some time, I have always wanted to contribute.

Adding a general location to your profile just might help you get a few extra projects to work on.

Do you charge a premium because your work does look good ?


EDIT; feel free to send a PM if you don't want to discuss that stuff in public.

I don't mind discussing this at all:
As far as a premium, I would say yes and no. Some things I am definitely higher on because of the shear time I put into them. On an hourly rate I am competitive with those around me and doing similar work.

I try to quote work based on my skill set and the tooling I have.
Ex. If I had a 5 axis CNC the job might take me half the time, but since I would have to charge double the hourly rate for that machine it would essentially be the same price, does that make sense?

At the end of the day I always strive to put out the absolute best product I can. My prices will not go up as I get better, especially to repeat customers.

I don't think we need to be gentle, that's beautiful work.

Thanks!

 

[shocwav3]

Battery Tie Downs:
https://scontent-a-iad.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10275604_747518151957171_6779898488707161835_o.jpg

Meth tank installed in an A3 trunk. This came out pretty clean

 

[gus1962]

That's definitely an outstanding engineering work! Well done.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I don't mind discussing this at all:
As far as a premium, I would say yes and no. Some things I am definitely higher on because of the shear time I put into them. On an hourly rate I am competitive with those around me and doing similar work.

I try to quote work based on my skill set and the tooling I have.
Ex. If I had a 5 axis CNC the job might take me half the time, but since I would have to charge double the hourly rate for that machine it would essentially be the same price, does that make sense?

At the end of the day I always strive to put out the absolute best product I can. My prices will not go up as I get better, especially to repeat customers.



Thanks!

Thanks.

Very nice work man.

 

[metalhead212121]

shocwav3- Nice work to say the least! I see one of your locations is Clifton NJ. I'm a couple towns away from you and every now and again I need something welded. Have no problem paying or driving to you. Is your primary address in NJ?

 

[JDon99]

Nice work! I was into DSMs for 10 years, my last project was a 4g63 powered d50 pickup. I have since gained interest in GM LSX stuff and my original interests as a child, old Chevy shortbeds.

 

[shocwav3]

shocwav3- Nice work to say the least! I see one of your locations is Clifton NJ. I'm a couple towns away from you and every now and again I need something welded. Have no problem paying or driving to you. Is your primary address in NJ?

Im actually moving the shop from Yorktown, where I have been the last 5 years due to still being active duty. I am originally from Lyndhurst, so coming back to Clifton is my coming home! I will be full up in Jersey by the end of October, feel free to come on by. I will be rebuilding a client base from the ground up since a lot of my work requires that local interaction with the cars and clients.

Nice work! I was into DSMs for 10 years, my last project was a 4g63 powered d50 pickup. I have since gained interest in GM LSX stuff and my original interests as a child, old Chevy shortbeds.

Im hunting for a 64-66 stepside right now that I want to plot an LS3 in for my dad. Resto-modish with a little rat feel is what I want to see out of that project.

 

[shocwav3]

Anybody up for some throttle bodies?

Evo X Big Bore
https://scontent-a-iad.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10518656_755886001120386_9137626103068256216_n.jpg?oh=e6050ec0ce4ffbc31c171b9bc42f2de5&oe=548750E4

DSM 90mm to max out the Magnus race mani

 

[MP&C]

Thanks! Ive been on here drooling over others work for quite some time, I have always wanted to contribute.




I don't mind discussing this at all:
As far as a premium, I would say yes and no. Some things I am definitely higher on because of the shear time I put into them. On an hourly rate I am competitive with those around me and doing similar work.

I try to quote work based on my skill set and the tooling I have.
Ex. If I had a 5 axis CNC the job might take me half the time, but since I would have to charge double the hourly rate for that machine it would essentially be the same price, does that make sense?

At the end of the day I always strive to put out the absolute best product I can. My prices will not go up as I get better, especially to repeat customers.



Thanks!

When I attended a metalshaping workshop this year (Gatormeet) in Adamstown MD, part of the discussion revolved around the business side. One thing pointed out was that capital investment for a machine that gets the job done in 1/2 the time shouldn't mean you charge 1/2 as much. That "investment" still needs to get paid for, still needs maintenance, still needs tooling that perhaps the old method didn't. What it basically boils down to is that you now have more time to work on other tasks for an increase in productivity. But the price of the job should remain the same.. So conversely, your explanation makes perfect sense. Beautiful work, thanks for posting!

 

[shocwav3]

When I attended a metalshaping workshop this year (Gatormeet) in Adamstown MD, part of the discussion revolved around the business side. One thing pointed out was that capital investment for a machine that gets the job done in 1/2 the time shouldn't mean you charge 1/2 as much. That "investment" still needs to get paid for, still needs maintenance, still needs tooling that perhaps the old method didn't. What it basically boils down to is that you now have more time to work on other tasks for an increase in productivity. But the price of the job should remain the same.. So conversely, your explanation makes perfect sense. Beautiful work, thanks for posting!

If you have some info on any upcoming workshops in this area (between NJ and VA) please let me know. I am trying my best to strengthen my sheetmetal and I think the workshops are the best place to start.

I wouldnt mind the business side either!

 

[shocwav3]

Drag bike wheels
https://scontent-b-dfw.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10641010_775527819156204_5993577454411899582_n.jpg?oh=20ecb9e5aa00e023733670165e7dec1d&oe=54A17A91

 

[iron_worker]

Oh baby! Did you make those?

IW

 

[shocwav3]

Oh baby! Did you make those?

IW

Yes Sir. They are made from Forged blanks from All American Wheel Company

 

[shocwav3]

Shift Knobs
https://scontent-a-iad.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10480996_733664940009159_5950685222294160251_n.jpg?oh=4851693ae4c4662537664bde28487621&oe=54CBD0C8

304 Exhuast work

Manifold Mod for a big block ford

 

[shocwav3]

Catch Can

Flanges

Triple Trees for a buddies speed triple (His Design)
https://scontent-a-iad.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1965042_755886004453719_2914550713938698292_n.jpg?oh=6124276ddd6e99c550751c1dc7650918&oe=549FFABD

 

[pipehack]

Your manifolds ****. A lot of air... I love them. Awesome job and those beads make me drool all over my keyboard. Keep em' coming. Thanks for sharing.

 

[shocwav3]

Your manifolds ****. A lot of air... I love them. Awesome job and those beads make me drool all over my keyboard. Keep em' coming. Thanks for sharing.

HAHAHAHA! Thanks.

 

[MP&C]

If you have some info on any upcoming workshops in this area (between NJ and VA) please let me know. I am trying my best to strengthen my sheetmetal and I think the workshops are the best place to start.

I wouldnt mind the business side either!

Gatormeet is held in Adamstown MD (just south of Frederick) in May. Here's some of the details from this year....


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3943023&postcount=679


Last year's...


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3092582&postcount=194

 

[shocwav3]

Gatormeet is held in Adamstown MD (just south of Frederick) in May. Here's some of the details from this year....


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3943023&postcount=679


Last year's...


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3092582&postcount=194

Thats Awesome. I will make it down this next one for sure. Thanks!

 

[Skyline]

Very nice work! Keep the pics coming!

 

[bluebolt]

Outstanding work! Thanks for your service.

 

[willymakeit]

Talent and skill. Nice work. Keep posting.

 

[shocwav3]

Thank you guys for the kind words and interest