I would really like to have a nice polished aluminum cover to dress-up the MAP sensor.
Just a shallow, open bottom, aluminum "box" with 2 holes that match up to the existing screws for the MAP sensor so it could be installed with minimal effort.
It would really help the looks of the engine compartment and should be a fairly inexpensive piece.
quote
Originally posted by randye:
Slightly revised sketch. You need a couple of access slots to get to the MAP sensor screws! Anyway, you get the idea....
quote
Originally posted by randye:
OK... Sketch revised..AGAIN The slots need to be on both sides, so that you can simply loosen the MAP sensor screws and slip the cover over the sensor, (one side between the sensor and the bracket), and then just retighten the screws. Installation time would be probably 20 seconds or less
This is the prototype. It is a fabricated part, bent from aluminum sheet, TIG-welded on the corners, and hand finished. It was obviously not ready to be polished yet (needed more sandpaper time) but I wanted to give a sneak peek of what it will look like. Besides final finishing, it needs the bottom cut flat, and the mounting slots cut in.
I am fairly certain the price will be $25 + shipping. Versions with the TIG welds still showing, and fully polished, (my favorite) will be available for slightly less. I plan to do at least a dozen of them soon (more if there is enough demand) and have them here ready to be shipped. Preferred payment method is Paypal, but I will also accept checks and money orders (part would be shipped after payment clears). More specific payment information will be posted here when the time comes...
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02:49 AM
PFF
System Bot
F-I-E-R-O Member
Posts: 8410 From: Endwell, NY Registered: Jan 2005
Originally posted by randye: NICE! This is looking a lot like what I had in mind. The slots will need to be on both sides so that you can insert and tighten the screws thru the MAP sensor. I'm assuming these will be polished as well?
I want the first one! Let me know how to make payment arrangements....
That might make him ^ ! Would a close second do?
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[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-21-2007).]
This is the prototype. It is a fabricated part, bent from aluminum sheet, TIG-welded on the corners, and hand finished. It was obviously not ready to be polished yet (needed more sandpaper time) but I wanted to give a sneak peek of what it will look like. Besides final finishing, it needs the bottom cut flat, and the mounting slots cut in.
I am fairly certain the price will be $25 + shipping. Versions with the TIG welds still showing, and fully polished, (my favorite) will be available for slightly less. I plan to do at least a dozen of them soon (more if there is enough demand) and have them here ready to be shipped. Preferred payment method is Paypal, but I will also accept checks and money orders (part would be shipped after payment clears). More specific payment information will be posted here when the time comes...
WOW WOW WOW..
It looks Fantastic! Let me know when to send $ your way. Like I said, I want the the #1 production version. (finished corners, polished, etc.), afterall it was *my* idea I'll also get some nice photos of it installed for you to use in advertising them. You might be wise to plan on making more than a dozen of them. I have a feeling that these are going to sell pretty well for you.
Just thinking about this little part some more, I thought you might also want to offer them unpolished as some folks might want to paint or powdercoat them to match their intake manifold.....just a thought.
I still want mine fully finished and polished......love the little bit of extra *bling* Plus I always thought the MAP sensor is UGLY and it's right on top for all to see.....this is going to look great.
[This message has been edited by randye (edited 08-21-2007).]
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09:32 AM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
It looks Fantastic! Let me know when to send $ your way. Like I said, I want the the #1 production version. (finished corners, polished, etc.), afterall it was *my* idea I'll also get some nice photos of it installed for you to use in advertising them. You might be wise to plan on making more than a dozen of them. I have a feeling that these are going to sell pretty well for you.
Sounds great, and I hope you're right about the demand for these.
quote
Originally posted by randye:
Just thinking about this little part some more, I thought you might also want to offer them unpolished as some folks might want to paint or powdercoat them to match their intake manifold.....just a thought.
I still want mine fully finished and polished......love the little bit of extra *bling* Plus I always thought the MAP sensor is UGLY and it's right on top for all to see.....this is going to look great.
I am going to figure out the pricing for the four standard versions:
What happened, how much was it, and I do have some back-burner thoughts about billet and cast versions...
quote
Originally posted by toddshotrods: ...You guys tell me how much you want to pay for them (reasonable price ) and I figure out if I can accomodate. If so, I'll make some and have them ready when you need them. I have some ideas for something really nice, but first I need to know what it's worth to you...
quote
Originally posted by randye: I can only speak for myself, but somewhere in the $25-$30 range for a professional looking polished part would get my order immediately.This doesn't need to be a "heavy duty" part, it's an appearance item afterall. Seems like it could be cut out and bent up from light gage material. Might not even need the corners welded if it folds up nice and straight....I think that a fully machined billet aluminum part might be "overkill" for this. At the right price for a nice looking little part like this you would almost certainly catch a lot of Fiero owners attention.
quote
Originally posted by toddshotrods: ...Agreed, I was thinking cast. I look into a fabricated cover as a starting point, and then adding a cast cover as an option later... I couldn't do that. It has to be one-piece or welded up, but I will deliver a quality part in the price range you quoted.
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I actually ordered these at one point but they never arrived but I got my money back.
Those are very nice too. Probably more $ as they appear to be machined from billet. I think the "FIERO" engraving might be redundant if you have an engraved manifold though, plus it would sit 90 degreees to the manifold engraved text...might look strange? The ribbed look matches the ribs in the manifold...that's real nice too. Guess I didn't have an original idea though huh?
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09:00 PM
fieroluv Member
Posts: 1951 From: Ft Wayne, IN USA Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by randye: ...Guess I didn't have an original idea though huh?
...there's nothing new under the sun...
I like the idea though, and am glad you asked for them. ------------------ toddshotrods.com - wanna ride? crazy projects, features, articles, art & more
[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-22-2007).]
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04:17 AM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
I would like to offer anodized. I would probably have to make a LOT of them to make it worth it though. I am not opposed to that; just need to see how much demand there is before I decide on the quantity I will ultimately produce. I don't want to end up sitting on a thousand of 'em
Thanks for the compliments and interest guys
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04:21 AM
hyperv6 Member
Posts: 6164 From: Clinton, OH, USA Registered: Mar 2003
Will this retain heat that could break down the map faster?
I aasumed it was where it wass to keep ity as cool as they could in the compartment.
Any idea?
This might actually act as sort of a heat sink. The thin aluminum tansfers heat pretty well, plus there will be an air space around the MAP under the cover. I personally don't think it will be a problem. I'll let you know after I have mine installed awhile
[This message has been edited by randye (edited 08-22-2007).]
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09:08 AM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Originally posted by randye: This might actually act as sort of a heat sink. The thin aluminum tansfers heat pretty well, plus there will be an air space around the MAP under the cover. I personally don't think it will be a problem. I'll let you know after I have mine installed awhile
quote
Originally posted by randye: This might actually act as sort of a heat sink. The thin aluminum tansfers heat pretty well, plus there will be an air space around the MAP under the cover. I personally don't think it will be a problem. I'll let you know after I have mine installed awhile
I purposely made sure the cover is not a snug fit over the sensor to give it some "breathing room".
It doesn't seem like the sensor is extremely senstive to heat because they mounted it directly to the aluminum intake. Also, I tried to use the sansor off my 3100SFI to design the part because it uses the same part number. When I looked for it I couldn't find it, and am assuming it is under the aluminum upper intake. I pulled the engine, so I know it hasn't been moved and there is a vacuum line running under the intake. I had to pull one off another engine that uses the same part number.
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[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-22-2007).]
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11:36 AM
Mr.PBody Member
Posts: 3172 From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Registered: Oct 2006
Not yet but soon. I am listening to the comments in this thread to be certain... I want to be sure I am not forgetting anything - like the heat issue. I don't want to produce a bolt-on problem. I am also gauging demand to determine how much supply.
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Todd, I'm going to recommend going back to the configuration shown in the 2nd of my sketches, with the round holes on one side and slots on the other. The difference will be that the orientation will be 180 degrees from how I have shown it. This will result in having just two round holes showing for screw access instead of the slots, which will look much cleaner. It will still install very easily by simply loosening the 2 MAP sensor screws, slipping the cover slots over the screws between the sensor and bracket and re-tightening the screws thru the two round holes.
(Thought of this after seeing the billet ones that Yellowstone brought up.)
I've seen these at Fiero shows, the ones I've seen have fins like computer heatsinks to help dissipate heat. I remember one was even painted like the Fiero intake.
Originally posted by randye: ...I'm going to recommend going back to the configuration shown in the 2nd of my sketches, with the round holes on one side and slots on the other....(Thought of this after seeing the billet ones that Yellowstone brought up.)
I noticed that as well, and agree 100%
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[This message has been edited by toddshotrods (edited 08-24-2007).]
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10:09 PM
Aug 24th, 2007
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
I need to know a couple things before I make a few of these.
* The socket size of the head of the factory screws that hold the MAP sensor on. I want to see if I can make the hole in the front big enough for a socket to pass through. * If the factory screws are long enough, with enough thread depth, to accomodate the cover. The covers are 1/16th (.0625) inch thick.
I am going to drill and slot the prototype; and show pics here with a MAP sensor this weekend. Next week I plan to have some ready to ship. I haven't really decided how many yet for first batch. I just waited for a little bit to make sure that no other serious issues surfaced.
Thanks for your patience
------------------ toddshotrods.com - wanna ride? crazy projects, features, articles, art & more
I need to know a couple things before I make a few of these.
* The socket size of the head of the factory screws that hold the MAP sensor on. I want to see if I can make the hole in the front big enough for a socket to pass through. * If the factory screws are long enough, with enough thread depth, to accomodate the cover. The covers are 1/16th (.0625) inch thick.
I am going to drill and slot the prototype; and show pics here with a MAP sensor this weekend. Next week I plan to have some ready to ship. I haven't really decided how many yet for first batch. I just waited for a little bit to make sure that no other serious issues surfaced.
Thanks for your patience
The factory screws have a hex head and take a 7mm socket.
The factory mounting screws pass thru the bracket by a good 1/4 inch or more. They are plenty long enough for a 1/16th" wall thickness of the cover to slip between the sensor and the bracket...with length to spare.
[This message has been edited by randye (edited 08-24-2007).]
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06:49 PM
87GT_97114 Member
Posts: 566 From: Dayton, Oregon, USA Registered: Mar 2005
Info for the 4.9ers out there. The part #s are different but the dimensions of the 4.9 unit are identical. That said, I'd like a smooth polished one when available.
------------------ '85GT Indy clone 4.9 4T60E '78 Toyota longbed, parts runner '89 Bonneville daily driver '87 30' Kit Classic TT, living in it.
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09:36 PM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Originally posted by toddshotrods: ...I am going to drill and slot the prototype; and show pics here with a MAP sensor this weekend. Next week I plan to have some ready to ship...
Sorry I'm running a little behind. Should have the pictures posted tomorrow. I'll try my best to have at least six of them ready this week.
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10:51 PM
Aug 28th, 2007
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
My 7mm socket measured .448" (external diameter), so I drilled 1/2" (.500) holes in the front. The holes on the MAP sensor itself are a bit under a quarter-inch, so I made the slots 1/4" (.250) wide to allow a little "wiggle room" when installing the cover. I cut the slot and holes to allow for a few millimeters air space over the sensor inside. My sensor is also recessed a bit in the middle of the top surface, which would allow more clearance.
Please keep in mind that this piece is just a prototype. It has flaws in it that the production covers should not have, and it has been handled a LOT. What I am trying to develop with this piece is the process and time for each step in the production of the covers; and I have to set up dedicatd fixtures to provide consistency.
If I can pull it off (with timing) I would like to have six covers ready to ship by the weekend (early next week at the latest). If there are no problems, and everyone is satisfied with the results of these, I should have more on the shelves for purchase, soon afterwards.
Feedback?
------------------ toddshotrods.com - wanna ride? crazy projects, features, articles, art & more
My 7mm socket measured .448" (external diameter), so I drilled 1/2" (.500) holes in the front. The holes on the MAP sensor itself are a bit under a quarter-inch, so I made the slots 1/4" (.250) wide to allow a little "wiggle room" when installing the cover. I cut the slot and holes to allow for a few millimeters air space over the sensor inside. My sensor is also recessed a bit in the middle of the top surface, which would allow more clearance.
Please keep in mind that this piece is just a prototype. It has flaws in it that the production covers should not have, and it has been handled a LOT. What I am trying to develop with this piece is the process and time for each step in the production of the covers; and I have to set up dedicatd fixtures to provide consistency.
If I can pull it off (with timing) I would like to have six covers ready to ship by the weekend (early next week at the latest). If there are no problems, and everyone is satisfied with the results of these, I should have more on the shelves for purchase, soon afterwards.
Feedback?
This is looking REAL good so far Todd. By keeping the socket access holes at .500 dia. I'm thinking it might be easy to find a couple of plastic or metal hole plugs to really finish it off nice. I'm not suggesting you need to include them, just that people can put them in easily if they want.
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02:40 PM
toddshotrods Member
Posts: 1177 From: Columbus, OH, USA Registered: Aug 2004
Originally posted by randye: This is looking REAL good so far Todd. By keeping the socket access holes at .500 dia. I'm thinking it might be easy to find a couple of plastic or metal hole plugs to really finish it off nice. I'm not suggesting you need to include them, just that people can put them in easily if they want.
Good point
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I am ready to crank these things out. The problem is a supplier. I was supposed to have three in my hands Friday. Only three because I had a few more "tests" I wanted to put them through before stocking up on a bunch of them. Now, I am wondering if the test was more about whether I can count on the supplier...
I will also be setup for casting aluminum, in my shop, real soon, and may even see how thin of a part I can cast...
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10:22 AM
Sep 8th, 2007
BobadooFunk Member
Posts: 5436 From: Pittsburgh PA Registered: Jun 2003
Sorry for the delay. I am working on a few options to replace this supplier. I could press him to get the raw boxes faster but that would mean I would have an inconsistent supply of parts. I need to know that I can have them on the shelves, before I announce that they're officially available. Even if I sell out, I need to be able to tell people how long before they're in stock again, and make that happen.
One way or the other I am going to try and have those first three done next week, and in the final testing phase...
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10:55 AM
Richjk21 Member
Posts: 2228 From: Central Square NY, USA Registered: Feb 2006
! Would a close second do? 
) and I figure out if I can accomodate. If so, I'll make some and have them ready when you need them. I have some ideas for something really nice, but first I need to know what it's worth to you...
