RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #81
HUGE check
Well once I buy my adapter I think I might look into building some adapters...
Builds 1996 LX450 5.3L swap let the fun begin!!
- Thread starter RockJock82
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HUGE check
Well once I buy my adapter I think I might look into building some adapters...
RockJock, I will be first on the list of test rigs/customers for your adapter. The marks adapter is way too expensive.
we just need a big chunk of aluminum and a CNC and have at it 
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #84
Process has slowed down due school...
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RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #86
I actually went with DirtyDingo's mounts. They are fully adjustable which it always nice. They are based out of Phoenix. I'll post a pic of them.
sleeoffroad
Supporting Vendor
Therein lies the rub. If you had to design it from scratch and recoup your R&D cost and testing, would you be able to do it for 1/2 the price? It is easy to copy after the fact.
We are not a Marks dealer for their adapters etc, just pointing out the obvious. However shipping, margins for local dealer etc does play a role in the pricing. If the market was bigger, then I am sure some US companies might have picked up on the adapter game for the 80.
So when is this thing going to run?
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #89
I understand the whole business aspect but 1500 is still ridiculous IMHO.. Marlin sells a doubler kit for 500 buck for a Toy truck tcase and was one of the first companies to make the kit just like Marks is for the 80 case. You are right about the market not being right for others to jump in on selling the adapters let alone even offering 80 aftermarket parts. As far as ETA on finishing the build I am getting everything together and plan on ripping into it in April. Finishing Nursing school has put a little kink into my build plans. Have you guys at Slee done a LS/LsX swap yet?
lets call this what it is. 80s aren't common. and when they were new they were insane expensive. so place like "marks" and ehem, 'other vendors' are used to customers with deep pockets. so dropping 3k for a set of bumpers went without question.
i worked in a fab shop for a long time. i know how much it cost to do r and d. and it is silly how much money is to be made. being that it takes so long to write up a solid works program and everything. (it isn't).
bottom line is that $1500 for a transfer case adapter is just retarded. but you see this is the problem. because now toyota cheap ass minitruck riffraff (like me) have found their way into the 80 world because these old tanks are cheap now. so we know better.
i bet if mark's was soooooo worried about shipping costs, they coud just license their design to aa or anyone else for that matter. ya right.
i worked in a fab shop for a long time. i know how much it cost to do r and d. and it is silly how much money is to be made. being that it takes so long to write up a solid works program and everything. (it isn't).
bottom line is that $1500 for a transfer case adapter is just retarded. but you see this is the problem. because now toyota cheap ass minitruck riffraff (like me) have found their way into the 80 world because these old tanks are cheap now. so we know better.
i bet if mark's was soooooo worried about shipping costs, they coud just license their design to aa or anyone else for that matter. ya right.
sleeoffroad
Supporting Vendor
Nope, we have done quite a few Toyota 4.7's and they run pretty good. If we do LS, we would like more than a 5.3
sleeoffroad
Supporting Vendor
Did you work in the shop or on the management side the calculated costs etc etc?
Part of the problem is the international distribution of a small volume product. I am sure AA does not get a huge wholesale discount from Marks. Then they have to ship it here , warehouse, sell and support. That all costs money, so they add their margin. None of this is ideal for the consumer, but what are they do to. I don't believe the quantities would make a huge difference in cost. Let's face it, if this adapter was $500, how many people would do this swap?
lets just say i was intimately familiar with the entire operation. not really at liberty to say much more.
don't get me wrong mr slee, the stuff you make is pretty much the top of the shelf.
but considering how much the 3fe and fz motors suck, and how cheap the 5.3 is, if the adapter was $500, i think this market would explode.
largely because these early model 80s are finding their way on cl for $1k (which is what i paid for my 91). also the 60 and 62 world would benefit as well.
i would pay at the most $850 for the adapter if you made it. just sayin. but $1500 plus shipping is the as much as the entire chevy drive train.
don't get me wrong mr slee, the stuff you make is pretty much the top of the shelf.
but considering how much the 3fe and fz motors suck, and how cheap the 5.3 is, if the adapter was $500, i think this market would explode.
largely because these early model 80s are finding their way on cl for $1k (which is what i paid for my 91). also the 60 and 62 world would benefit as well.
i would pay at the most $850 for the adapter if you made it. just sayin. but $1500 plus shipping is the as much as the entire chevy drive train.
oh, to add, if i had the money, i would still buy slee stuff. it looks fantastic, even if its expensive.
but you are going to have to wait about 9 years until i get into, finish, graduate from med school and do a residency.... and no, i am not a kid. this is the "i am 39 and want a job change" phase of life.
but you are going to have to wait about 9 years until i get into, finish, graduate from med school and do a residency.... and no, i am not a kid. this is the "i am 39 and want a job change" phase of life.
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #95
Nope, we have done quite a few Toyota 4.7's and they run pretty good. If we do LS, we would like more than a 5.3
Exact reason I sold the 5.3 and bought a 6L
If the adapter was 500 I believe the market would explode. The 1fz is a good motor dont get me wrong but no way in hell would I pay 3500 for a short block from Toyota then have to pay to get the head redone on top of that.. You can buy an entire LS2 drivetrain for that. I considered doing the 4.7L but I dont like the power and fuel mileage that comes along with it.
Slee does produce a good product, hence the reason I run his lift kit.
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don't lie, you sold the 5.3 because you are a murse and like men.
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
Exact reason I sold the 5.3 and bought a 6L
If the adapter was 500 I believe the market would explode. The 1fz is a good motor dont get me wrong but no way in hell would I pay 3500 for a short block from Toyota then have to pay to get the head redone on top of that.. You can buy an entire LS2 drivetrain for that. I considered doing the 4.7L but I dont like the power and fuel mileage that comes along with it.
Slee does produce a good product, hence the reason I run his lift kit.
And remember I have dibs on that boat anchor 4.5 and trans;p I am fine with a old slow Cruiser...
RockJock82
Sometimes you have to kick a little A$$
- Thread starter
- #98
And remember I have dibs on that boat anchor 4.5 and trans;p I am fine with a old slow Cruiser...
yes sir! all yours!
Hey guys, I've got all my parts ordered and they're starting to come in! Got the engine chillin out in the garage and my project for this week is to mount the 203 and the 60 case to the trans and then hang the engine so I can start taking measurements.
Couple things that look like they're going to be an issue is the exhaust manifolds and the oil pan. Any one know what the best option is for each? I think it was mentioned that an pan from a camaro should just bolt up and then no more clearance issues with the front axle.
As far as exhaust manifolds, anyone have insight into a specific model that works best? Between the frame rail or go out and over the rail?
Oh and rockjock, those dirty singing mounts, were they the 100% adjustable ones?
Thanks guys!
Couple things that look like they're going to be an issue is the exhaust manifolds and the oil pan. Any one know what the best option is for each? I think it was mentioned that an pan from a camaro should just bolt up and then no more clearance issues with the front axle.
As far as exhaust manifolds, anyone have insight into a specific model that works best? Between the frame rail or go out and over the rail?
Oh and rockjock, those dirty singing mounts, were they the 100% adjustable ones?
Thanks guys!
I have vendor links to the pan and headers in my build thread. Search on Another Texas LS1.
