Attention all 9Bolt Owners! And board sponsors. - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

drain89 · 12-12-2003, 03:12 PM

Like many of you, I want a support cover/girdle for my 9bolt Borg-Warner rear and I'm tired of waiting on Miles at 9bolt.com. It is evident to me by my numerous email conversations with him and the length of time this has been going on that he has other priorities besides this.

I have spoke to Dave at TA Performance about this. They are a very reputable company and they make the best ones on the market and for several applications. Most of the ones sold by reputable vendors are made by TA (including Ford Racing/SVO). The others are just cheaper imitiations copied from them.

Dave said they have considered making one but have only had a few inquiries about them, so haven't. I have explained that there is considerable interest in this and asked them what it would take to get one made for our application.
He said that if I got at least 20 people lined up that it could start the ball rolling on it and that the more people interested....the more likely and quicker it could happen.

Their covers sell direct for $159 and the stud kit's which replace the bolts sell for $19.95; however, Dave didn't know an exact price yet.

Ours should be similar in price. He didn't know an exact price because there is no number yet of how many will be made, but common sense tells me that the first run would probably cost slightly higher than what the others are listed. That is an assumption so don't take it for gospel. I'm certain that it would NOT be more than $200 each to have them made.

What I need is for everyone who is willing and able to buy one to respond here so we can decide if this is a go.

If you are unable to buy in right now, but will be soon, please make a note of that in your response because you may be a player in this by the time they would have them ready.
However, please do not respond if you are not serious, or are not going to be able to buy one. That only makes me look like a jerk and hurts my credibility in their eyes. And I am serious about this whole thing, so I don't want any monkey-wrenches thrown into the plans. I don't want this to be like the carbon fiber hood attempt, or some other efforts which come to mind.
Either you're serious, or you aren't.

I am in talks with a sponsor who is looking into this and if he gets involved, we will do this as a group purchase. If that doesn't work out and I am not able to find one interested in getting involved with this I will see if we can direct pay TA Performance individually, since they are a reputable company and that would prospective buyers more at ease.

I've posted this on some other sites with links to this post, but please try to spred the word. The more people, the cheaper the price and the quicker they produce them.

UPDATE:
So far we have:

Definates-
1) Myself
2) 87F383
3) transambill
4) Bitchincamaro
5) Midnightrider
6) formularpm
7) 89warbird
8) racer350
9) 89formula383
10) thegreatJ
11) Jed
12) Redbird87
13) Mkos1980
14) formul8!!
15) cwalsh
17) 89gta383 (2 covers)
18) borgx
19) mcbchild
20) jrg77
21) rdnk 4re
22) jr86-ta
23) 1989GTATransAm
24) 88 WS6 TransAm GTA
25) Dave Jones
26) Parrydise7
27) Dr G
29) jcstta (2 covers)
30) roadracinGTA
31) 355ss
32) TPIgirl
33) doc
34) SLP_GTA
35) FAST LiFE
36) mike graycar
37) conlinj
38) Tom Keliher
39) ski89z28
40) holov1
41) Gus_Mahn
42) Maroon_IROC_Z
43) firedawg225
44) Jetmeck
45) L98FORM89
46) fireturd350
47) 91rslt1
48) LimaBravoNiner
49) rangelec
50) Karps TA
51) Flyersman29
52) HatchetJack
53) mean5.7
54) Jstcrzyengh
55) Kontrax
56) IROCTintZ28
57) luv2xlr8
59) ballisticv6 (2 covers)
60) "snowball"
61) 89Kicker_Iroc-Z
62) gcore_45
63) NJITIROC

Probablys-
1) SweetRide45
2) xpndbl3
3) SLP IROC-Z
4) 87350tpi
5) Dyno Don
6) 90iroc5spd
7) mongoose
8) primo
9) HotRod
10) Kevin91Z

Kudos to mike graycar, he is shipping TA a donor rear.
Now we need the cost/time figures from TA Performance. Waiting on decision of involvement from possible vendor.

Sincere thanks,
Dwain "draino" Brammer

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gcore45 · 12-12-2003, 04:19 PM

You've got my attention. Let me know where this goes!

87F383 · 12-12-2003, 04:30 PM

I will purchase 1 from wherever has them available for purchase...I just want one.

xpndbl3 · 12-12-2003, 04:35 PM

i will possibly have $$$ when it comes time to production, but until then i'll wait it out.

MIDNITERIDER · 12-12-2003, 05:18 PM

Im in on this one also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E mail me as this gets closer.

drain89 · 12-12-2003, 05:42 PM

bump

87F383 · 12-12-2003, 05:56 PM

Lemme send my friend a link...he will prolly throw his name on.

drain89 · 12-12-2003, 06:01 PM

Thanks! And by all means, anybody who knows someobody who might be intersted....please spread the word.

89Warbird · 12-12-2003, 06:09 PM

I'm in, definitely!

Racer350 · 12-12-2003, 06:17 PM

put me in for one

89formula383 · 12-12-2003, 06:32 PM

i am now setting aside money. said money will be for this. do not fail me.

put me on this list

ps, i am "the friend" :lala:

TheGreatJ · 12-12-2003, 06:56 PM

I'll be wanting one. Just let me know when payment comes due.

Jed · 12-12-2003, 08:51 PM

I'll take one - I don't care where it comes from, as long as it is a quality product. The $$$ is no problem - add me to the list.

Thanks!!!!

drain89 · 12-12-2003, 09:33 PM

ttt

Redbird87 · 12-12-2003, 11:26 PM

Dwain, Please add me to the list for the nine-bolt cover. If necessary I will pay all or part up front if this will help make this happen. BTW , thank you for your time and effort trying to help us get this needed cover. I really appreciate it!!:hail: :hail: :hail: Dave,Redbird 87

drain89 · 12-12-2003, 11:39 PM

Thanks Dave. No money is needed yet.
I'm trying to get a vendor involved in this that would:
1) Add volume to the order
2) Give us clout with TA performance- they'd take a business more seriously than a joe schmoe like me. Plus they have experience in getting things like this started, whereas this is my first go at this.
3) Allow us to send payment to-to get this done. I know alot of you would probably be more comfortable sending a reputable business the money instead of me. This could probably add alot of prospective people who want in but don't trust me.

If none of them will, then I'll tackle this by myself.

If we get enough people willing to go in, I'll contact them and get specifics and then well work out the money arrangement. When it gets to that point, I'd like to have a solid amount to tell you guys and make the payment arrangements something we all (or the majority) decide on.
I'm easy, I don't care how this is done, just that it gets done.
Thanks again.
Dwain "draino" Brammer

Mkos1980 · 12-13-2003, 12:01 AM

I'll take one..

25THRSS · 12-13-2003, 01:15 AM

I'll make this a sticky for you guys.

drain89 · 12-13-2003, 01:17 AM

Thanks bud!

25THRSS · 12-13-2003, 01:18 AM

No problem. I hope it works out.

formul8!! · 12-13-2003, 02:34 AM

Put me down as a definite.

Thanks for taking the initiative on getting the ball rolling on the cover for the 9bolt!

cwalsh · 12-13-2003, 02:41 AM

I'm in for one!!! About D*** time too!

Gumby · 12-13-2003, 09:28 AM

I just gotta say,

You can count on TA Performance to come through.
If people are willing to buy they are willing to provide the service.

I love them guys. sniff sniff

89gta383 · 12-13-2003, 10:54 AM

Put me down for 2, 1 for a friend.

NJITIROC · 12-13-2003, 02:17 PM

id be down for one if you can convince what the heck it will do for me.

lol, sorry. im not sure of the benefits of it. anyone care to explain?
but i am interested.

formul8!! · 12-13-2003, 02:55 PM

I pre-loads the caps that support the bearings for the axles and differential. It keeps them from trying to exit the rear through the diff cover.

When the pinion turns, the ring gear and differential will start to shift towards the rear and puts stress on the bolts holding the caps in.

This is what causes broken ring gear teeth and axle bearing failure.

borgx · 12-13-2003, 03:57 PM

Put me down for one whenever they are available. Thanks and thanks to CWalsh for posting a link on team3rdgen.com as well!

NJITIROC · 12-13-2003, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by formul8!!
I pre-loads the caps that support the bearings for the axles and differential. It keeps them from trying to exit the rear through the diff cover.

When the pinion turns, the ring gear and differential will start to shift towards the rear and puts stress on the bolts holding the caps in.

This is what causes broken ring gear teeth and axle bearing failure.

so its ~$160 to keep my rear together...

im in assuming i can scrape together the cash.

cwalsh · 12-13-2003, 04:10 PM

I posted a link to this thread on the F-Body.org mailing list as well.
Chris

drain89 · 12-13-2003, 06:05 PM

Thanks Chris!

drain89 · 12-13-2003, 10:35 PM

We only need 2 more and I can call Dave back and get this started. I know there's more people who'd like to have one.

mcbchild · 12-14-2003, 05:20 AM

Put me down for one also, I have a 9 bolt 4.10 from Miles at 9 bolt and can't get one from him either yet. If need to contact, mcbchild@hotmail.com

Thanks

jrg77 · 12-14-2003, 06:56 AM

I'll take one.

drain89 · 12-14-2003, 09:35 AM

We've got enough people that I can call Dave back Monday!

RDNK 4RE · 12-14-2003, 09:45 AM

Don't stop that list just yet, I just saw this thread on iroczone and jumped over. Put me down for 1!! shoot me an email RDNK4RE@AOL.COM I don't scan the boards as much as I used too. I'd buy today if they had it ready.

drain89 · 12-14-2003, 10:14 AM

If anybody knows Tom Keliher, please let him know about this...he was #1 on the list at 9bolt.com for one. He'd probably be interested in this.

drain89 · 12-14-2003, 11:59 AM

I have a vendor/sponsor who is looking into this with me. I can't disclose who it is because nothing is certian. He is going to speak with Dave and see what he can get done. If he is a go in this....I will make the announcement when all details have been worked out.

JR86-TA · 12-14-2003, 12:41 PM

Put me down for one as well.
Thanks for all the hard work, as well.

1989GTATransAm · 12-14-2003, 02:07 PM

Now that I know what it does and that is it helps to keep the rear end together, I will take one. I'am getting close to 300RWHP. Allen

88 WS6 TransAm GTA · 12-14-2003, 02:16 PM

Ok, Im definatley in for one initially. I will be ordering another one, but one will do for now. Thanks for the PM Drain!

Email me @ RPPerformance@comcast.net when you have more details and need my personal info.

90iroc5spd · 12-14-2003, 10:29 PM

sounds great, very interested. if this happens im 99% in

Parrydise7 · 12-14-2003, 11:29 PM

If it isn't too late, I'm also in. Thanks.

drain89 · 12-15-2003, 04:59 PM

I spoke to Dave today. After hearing the amount of interest gathered on these in such a short time, he has decided that he is going to look into producing them. I told him that I'm looking at an initial order of 30 right now, but know of several others interested as well as a vendor and that it will probably go up to around 50 units. He is going to get us a price on 30, and a timeframe. He has some channels he has to go thru on this, so he is going to get back to me.

I advised him that I have a vendor that will be speaking with him and that if he gets involved, it will be turned over to him and done as a gp thru him. That should change things for the better if it happens. But I wanted to speak to Dave and work out an arrangement incase a vendor isn't part of this.

Well that's what I have so far, the ball is rolling, now just a waiting game of a final answer.
No use in me wasting anymore board space, I'll update as soon as I get definates!
Thanks again for your support folks!

Redbird87 · 12-15-2003, 05:06 PM

Dwain, It is people like you who make this so enjoyable, (TGO), thank you doesn't seem like enough, But--------Thank You!!!

!!! Dave, Home of the Phoenix, my red 87 Formie.

89formula383 · 12-15-2003, 05:12 PM

hehe, 'preciate all the work you are doing to get this going.

I don't even have a 9 bolt yet

but yes i am still in

87F383 · 12-15-2003, 05:15 PM

A big thank you to all your effort on this 9-bolt cover on our behalf. It is very appreciated by all of us.

:hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

-Aaron

drain89 · 12-15-2003, 05:31 PM

No problem, gives me something to do to keep out of the wifes hair while I'm laid off.

MIDNITERIDER · 12-15-2003, 07:13 PM

Great Job!!!!!!!We now have some positive vibs.....

roadracinGTA · 12-16-2003, 02:13 PM

add 1 more to the list, I kept going back to 9bolt web site to see if I could place my order figured I would never be able to get one. Nice to think I might not have to buy a 12bolt or 9"

355SS · 12-18-2003, 05:33 PM

I will take One for sure