Group buy T-case upgrade

[robert]

So far there are five at the Driveshaft Shop and looking for ten. I am sending atleast two others so that makes seven. He said he might do it if he had eight orders. Check this link if you are interested.

http://www.driveshaftshop.com/MitsuAWDcase.ivnu

This is the same upgrade that Shep uses. When first tested he rolled his car backward down his drive way and then launched it to see if it would not break. It didn't.

[v413nc3]

There are two different ways to read that, either he's charging $1100 each or $110 each. Have you called to confirm? I'll send mine at $110.

[Hal]

If I remember the original deal from two years ago, it was about $1k for the upgrade and drive shaft.

You have to use their aluminum shaft with the upgraded t-case.

Hal

[robert]

Your both correct. The t-case upgrade does fit or require their driveshaft. The price for the T-case upgrade listed on their site is divided by 10, or $110.

[Hal]

Call Shep, he is (or was) a DSS reseller and might have one of these on the shelf.

Hal

[buckley]

I'm also interested in this group buy but I'm a little confused. Is this the entire t-case that will bolt right up? And I'd like a verification of the price 110$ correct?

Thanks

buckley

[robert]

That's a great idea Hal, I will call him.

So that's three so far with Jake, Buckley and I. Anyone else?

Keep in mind it is the $110 ea. for the T-case upgrade but it does require running their Aluminum Drive Shaft (sold seperately, no batteries included).

[v413nc3]

$110 for the Tcase upgrade, but you NEED their drive shaft. That is $800 and aluminum, but worth the money.

[sbiggi]

Its $110 for the machine work and output shaft

Then you need the driveshaft which is $750

[Mirage]

Consider me another candidate if it's $110 out the door.

I'll buy the driveshaft when I get more money :D

Marcus

[robert]

Perfect. With myself, Marcus and Jake that makes a total of eight and they said they may do it if they had eight since they have been sitting on five of them since October.

Anyone else?.....I need to know now.

Lets plan on collecting everyones donor parts for the upgrade (as specified on the DSS site) this weekend so I can ship them out.

[scooter]

Count me in. I already have the driveshaft but would need the yoke

-Scot

[Hal]

Scot, check with DSS, because I believe you will need a new front yoke for your drive shaft.

Hal

[Gonzo]

Aaaah! Only $110?! Count me in!

[dsm_gsx97]

Not sure what number I fall on, but I'd be interested in this too if you don't already got 10. Let me know...

[v413nc3]

"at least 10"
We'll need your tcase pieces as prescribed by this weekend.

[Gonzo]

Has anyone actually called DSS? I think there's a gross misunderstanding of the pricing structure. Last time I talked to them, it's $1100 *each* and they need a group of 10+ before they'll do a batch.

I'd love to find out I'm wrong, but you know the saying: "If it sounds too good to be true..." :(

[Hal]

There is no misunderstanding if you read the DSS web page.

This price that Robert quoted is ONLY FOR THE T-CASE UPGRADE

People still have to pay for the driveshaft as well

[Gonzo]

There is no misunderstanding if you read the DSS web page.

This price that Robert quoted is ONLY FOR THE T-CASE UPGRADE

People still have to pay for the driveshaft as well
I'm not just trying to be a naysayer. When I talked to them last fall, they quoted me $1100 per person for only the t-case upgrade, not including the driveshaft. It's certainly possible that I was talking to someone who misconveyed the information or I simply misunderstood. I agree that the wording on DSS' webpage points to a $1100 batch price; but it could just be poor grammatical structure, which is the reason I asked if anyone (specifically Robert, since he started the thread) has confirmed. Call it due diligence.

Assuming I'm wrong, who do I need to get my parts to this weekend? At a price of $110, I'll even do two transfer cases.

[v413nc3]

The price is correct and has been verified. The TOTAL price for the upgrade is $110 for the tcase upgrade and $799 for the HD Drive shaft that is required to use with it since your stock shaft will not be compatible any longer. That is a total price of $909. Last year these were one-off's. This year with a group of 10 people they can drop the price significantly.

Also, you would get the tcase pieces requested (not whole tcases) to either Robert or if you are unable to get to him by Friday you can drop them off with Marcus Martinez or I and we will bring yours with us when we send them out.

[Gonzo]

Excellent. Thanks, Jake--that's exactly what I wanted to hear. :)

I'll get the needed parts to one of you.

[sillycon]

Would it be too late to get in on this?

I already have the DSS drive shaft, so I would only need the yolk and tcase work done.

$110 is a steal compared to last years pricing. :eek:

If I were able to get in, to whom should I ship my "core" parts, and would you want the whole tcase, or only the output shaft and tail housing?

Thanks,
-Will

[robert]

Well Gonzo.....having done my due diligence....I also had the same conversation that you had today. The price actually is $1100 a piece!
What a dissapointment.

Unbelievable, because I actually had a discussion with an employee of DSS last month and understood that the group price was $1100 and they needed ten to start and the way I read their Website it also appears to be stated that way.

I apologize for any misunderstanding.

Nevertheless, I did some more due diligence regarding the issue surrounding broken transfer cases and axles........

I called John Sheppard to see if he had t-case upgrades on the shelf per Hal's direction, but John is doing his own modifications now, apart from DSS, and his price is....get this.......$1850.00 a piece. He's doing three right now... I wonder whose they are.

Apparently the type of metal alloy that is used and the machine work that has to be done to cut the splines, etc. is quite expensive and involved. So, my next thought was that it would be a whole lot cheaper to simply keep a few extra t-cases and axles laying around. The only problem with this is that it is no fun having to hurry up and replace broken axles and t-cases in between stages on raceday. What a long term PIA.

So what can the stock drive train pieces actually withstand? What is the HP and torque levels we need to be concerned about before we start breaking parts? The 2g rear axles are thicker, but longer than the 1g and have slightly less tendency to break. The t-cases are the same in both 1g and 2g cars, except for the late 97-99 2g's?

According to John Sheppard he has run the stock t-cases into the Eight second quarter mile. Good enough for me. I'll keep a spare or two around, just in case.

And, I will have to trust that the additional 40% twist the DSS aluminum driveshaft has over OEM will helping to provide adequate shock resistence generated in the 800 and up HP range. The Carbon Fiber Shaft is probably a better option for this, except that it is lacking the additional yoke and apparently has a tendency to break down quicker over time. But, since I would like to see this Talon hit 9's at Bandimere, and it's going to take a lot of practice for Tara to get used to the Dogbox, the clutch, and the insanely different power range in the RPM band up to 10k,..... the car needs to bullet-proof. Only, of course, after it is first safe!

So, the long a short of it is this........I want to committ three t-cases to DSS. They told me they would consider doing the job if they had eight orders (they have 5 now) and upon receipt of the metalurgical material their turn-around time is about two weeks (perhaps just in time for Vegas on the 23'rd Feb).

Thanks

[v413nc3]

We must have talked to different people, because when I called they told me what they first told you, $110 each for a group buy of 10. Rather frustrating.

[sillycon]

I thought DSS was a one-man show? :confused:

I mean, how many people work there?

I've also been under the impression that it was $1100 per person (minimum of 10 to do a batch) and based on what I know of the process/what's involved, that sounds a LOT more accurate than $110.

If we can get them done for $110, count me in. Otherwise I'll be saving my $$$ for one of Johns.

And actually, on another note, does anyone happen to know off-hand how the tcase upgrades apply to automatic transmissions? I'd imagine it would be the same, but I don't know for sure. Also, would it even be necessary?

[Hal]

I'll just keep a few spares rather than pay that price.

[Gonzo]

Robert, have you replaced the stock 2G rear diff bushings with solid bushings? Excessive movement of the rear diff on a high HP 2G with traction can lead to wheel hop and broken parts.

I can't justify the cost of the t-case and/or driveshaft at this point. If/when I start breaking t-cases, then I'll consider it.