...I look at the cost of aftermarket parts and I want to scream. I am rebuilding a 1989 Mustang GT for my fiancee as a suprise birthday gift. She's nuts for a Foxbody so I am working on it. As I do I go past comparisons, some apples to apples others valid apples to oranges. Such as: Apples to Apples: Clutch Master Replacement (Stage 2) Kit from WMW: $525.00 vs Ford Racing HD Clutch Kit from Latemodelrestoration.com: $209.99 Miltek Cat-back Exhaust from WMW: $899.00 vs. Magnaflow Cat-back Exhaust from LMR: $439.99 OS Giken LSD (R56) from WMW: $1,789.00 vs. Ford Racing 8.8in LSD with CF Clutch Disks from LMR: $239.99 Apples to Oranges: OS Giken Clutch Kit from WMW: $1,689.00 vs. Ford Boss 302 Short-Block with forged pistons from LMR: $1,499.99 OR Ford 302 Economy Long-Block from LMR: $1,749.99 :frown2: I understand it. The 302 and Mustang have been around a bunch longer. There is a MUCH larger group of folks that mod/restore them. This is NO WAY saying anything poor about WMW. These guys have been great for me. I picked them because they have great pricing on MINI stuff plus awesome customer support (the same is true of Late Model Resto as well). Basically it's one of those I understand it, but I don't feel any better understanding it sorta things. :crazy::cryin:
Not to mention how much faster a Fox can be than the MINI w/ equal amounts of $$$. There is a good reason my MINI is known as "DamnMINI"
The OS Gilken pieces are good stuff. I imagine being made in Japan doesn't help.... Add the costs with import export taxes, freight costs to the US, distributor costs, retailer costs, more shipping costs, and little bits of markup all along the way. Now start adding the effect of increased oil prices to the mix, and it's only going to be more expensive. Then there is always the $ factor.... Should a part sell for more if it's going on a "speciality" vehicle? The MINI sure has a lot of bits and pieces that have BMW stamped on the sides. I wonder what a clutch for a EB Veyron sells for? Certainly the other side of the coin is not how much something costs to make but where the selling price gets set. I'll bet a spin on oil filter for a Ferrari is more expensive than one for a Mustang, but are they really that different to make???
Having been in the Performance Business since the late 70's...here is why More than 8 million Mustangs have been sold since April 1964 I think BMW/MINI are at 150k? Nathan can correct that figure I am sure? Not a chance that most all performance parts are going to get cheaper for BMW/MINIs! Ever! All of us that make up the market buying the go fast toys for the MINI are about 4000 worldwide. And most is easy bolt on's not the real hardcore stuff which is about 1000 roughly? I have owned at least 4 early Mustangs that I can remember and the combined total of all of them does not equal my MINI. This is one of my cleaner Pony car. One has 2x4's and no hood,one all white with big wide rear flares and the other sorta stock. In fact my #3 Cobra which pushed 800 + hp I only had 40K invested was still cheaper then my MINI.
I hear ya. My modding addiction is killing me. LOL I think I might start a 12-step group for MINI-modaholics.
Oh I get it already (hence why I posted that I understand why ) but it doesnt change my emotinal reaction of: :mad2: Jerry, I hate scotch. However, I do like beer. I suspect its a much cheaper hobby than cars...:ihih:
Tru Dat!! but then you get into, aero kits, splitters, wheels, suspension, etc etc.. Not cheap but cheaper then doing engine mods plus them..
I understand where your coming from Redbeard.. Try buying a head. 1500-2400 plus give yours to them.. Heads for your mustang would be much cheaper and no core charge.. from probably 10 different vendors... It's the nature of the beast!!! If you want cheap buy an old miata..
Also true. I'm getting all the above (except the aero kit) done just before and at MOTD. My driving area does not allow for the aero stuff, so I will be, basically, done. Jim
All 3 were a kick, but the MINI could have out handled them on any twisty back roads and the creature comfort is not a consideration in a Cobra. No A/C or thumping stereo. You know the age thing. :lol: My MINI was an after thought, a "cute" car to toddle up and down the coast. I was never planning or expecting to do any mods to it. In fact at the time I purchased my MINI I had already sold all my race, and hobby cars. The last to go was my 58/59 MGA with a sm blk chevy blown alcohol pro street toy.:lol: I had the MINI bagged and tagged for modding a couple months driving it. Fortunately I have only invest (parts only not my labor) about 42ish for MINI and mods. I really feel for many MINI modders that have to pay not only retail for "Go Fast" parts but also the labor to get close to what I have done. But it is nice that we still have unique car that has its image in the automotive performance world. REDBEARD another reason performance parts are so high on MINIs is market saturation of a single part. Example: How many manufacture of the SC pulley are there now? Do we really need all of them that do exactly the same thing? :confused5:
Well ya know that's one that's fairly close in price. ~ $900-2,000 for a set of heads. However, I will point out that I need to buy two heads for every one you buy and no, there is no core charge as they machine the heads new (ususally). So back to the same conclusion that mass production of engines for a long period of time has some serious advantages. LOL. Click Below if ya wanna cry a bit... :cryin: Products - Latemodel Restoration Supply
This is essentially what you're paying for. How many modded Mustangs are out there? A lot. And how many modded MINIs are out there? Not too many in the grand scheme of things. The cost is price, but you're taking an uncommon car and making it unusually fast for the benefit of having a unique vehicle.
Nope. :ihih: By day, my fiancee drives a 2008 WRX Hatch (yes, with a manual). She's friendly with the Subie croud but not a chat-board type. I wouldn't post-up details about this if she did. Heck I have a build thread going on http://foxbodyforum.com/index.php/topic,23920.0.html with pictures and everything. :cornut: Once again: I really do understand why the price difference exists. I swear! :lol: I just don't have to like it. :crazy: