Sharp Customs TIG welded Sheet Metal Intake Manifold

A4RingedONE8T

Specialist
Nov 1, 2016
82
134
0
40
I think you are forgetting where the N54 is headed these days. The ownership group of these cars is getting cheaper, and cheaper. I mean shit we posted a breather on here for under $200, and the first thing that happened was for people to bitch about price. You should have made your manifold two years ago when the market was open. Now you have to compete with all this stuff on the market. Is there any question you manifold is light years ahead of this in quality, and design? Absolutely not, problem is, the average buyer will be running 500-600WHP, and the gains between the two will be marginal at best. Shit I would be surprised if either showed gains over a stock manifold at those levels. So for no difference in power for 90% of the buyers, its $700, or $2500. Its obvious who will get most of the sales, hopefully you didn't spend too much designing, and building your manifolds.

I'm well aware of that, and I have no doubt I'll sell my manifolds. People have complained about prices since I got in this industry over 10 years ago, hasn't stopped me or slowed me up yet!
 
  • Like
Reactions: doublespaces

doublespaces

Administrator
Oct 18, 2016
9,303
4,331
0
AZ
Ride
2009 E93 335i
Support the American dream, buy from China.

Sharp Customs is a powdercoat shop, actually the powdercoat shop that does all my powdercoat for my products, about 5 min from me. He imports and sells these junk manifolds for all different applications by the truck full. Interested to see results as well.

-Shawn-
So will he continue to do your powder coating? I'm pretty sure he's a member here also.

By the way, I will be getting a manifold, and I will be purchasing a cast or CNC unit despite whatever the results are on this piece. So keep doing what you do.
 

A4RingedONE8T

Specialist
Nov 1, 2016
82
134
0
40
So will he continue to do your powder coating? I'm pretty sure he's a member here also.

By the way, I will be getting a manifold, and I will be purchasing a cast or CNC unit despite whatever the results are on this piece. So keep doing what you do.

Yes of course, I've been using him for quite awhile and his powdercoat work is impeccable. We do quite a lot of business with him. As I mentioned he's been selling this companies other manifolds for awhile, this N54 piece just became available and he got a batch of them. I don't believe he had much idea or care what it was specifically for or that I was also building a manifold in competition to it, as he shouldn't care. We all have to eat, at the end of the day it's business. No hard feelings whatsoever, Marcus is a standup guy.

Highly doubtful people will be undecided between this china manifold and mine, they are two different parts for two very different customers. My customers aren't cheap, and don't mind paying for what they want. For those people, I'm here, for those looking for a cheap solution, I'm glad there is something out there for them, my parts aren't it!

-Shawn-
 
  • Agree
Reactions: doublespaces

Snelson3003

Sergeant
Nov 7, 2016
325
199
0
Denver
www.nelsonracingwheel.com
Ride
2010 BMW 135i
Alright guys I am creating a thread separate from this one to show the initial pics of the manifold! :)

And yes, everything is from China. But i dont hear to many people complain about VFSF... LOL.

I like VRSF's products and run them myself, but this manifold is supposed to at least be an option for the people who think a $900 set of DP's isnt worth it. Or a $500 Chargepipe. Lets be real here, aside from design... ITS A PIPE!
 
  • Like
Reactions: J.Wick
Nov 5, 2016
615
624
0
Bay Area
Yes of course, I've been using him for quite awhile and his powdercoat work is impeccable. We do quite a lot of business with him. As I mentioned he's been selling this companies other manifolds for awhile, this N54 piece just became available and he got a batch of them. I don't believe he had much idea or care what it was specifically for or that I was also building a manifold in competition to it, as he shouldn't care. We all have to eat, at the end of the day it's business. No hard feelings whatsoever, Marcus is a standup guy.

Highly doubtful people will be undecided between this china manifold and mine, they are two different parts for two very different customers. My customers aren't cheap, and don't mind paying for what they want. For those people, I'm here, for those looking for a cheap solution, I'm glad there is something out there for them, my parts aren't it!

-Shawn-
Let us know when you get actual dyno numbers for your manifold. Not just pictures from the CNC. I mean yes your customers might not be cheap, but unless it shows a decided power increase over other options, people are paying 2K extra for engine bay bling. That's a pretty steep tag for bling.
 

doublespaces

Administrator
Oct 18, 2016
9,303
4,331
0
AZ
Ride
2009 E93 335i
When there are port and nitrous/meth bungs, you've eliminated a spacer at the minimum. That justifies a portion of the cost. It's kind of like anything, you can upgrade and you can upgrade in style. For example, I'd rather have an exhaust which is slightly more restrictive so long as it sounded better.
 

Snelson3003

Sergeant
Nov 7, 2016
325
199
0
Denver
www.nelsonracingwheel.com
Ride
2010 BMW 135i
Yes of course, I've been using him for quite awhile and his powdercoat work is impeccable. We do quite a lot of business with him. As I mentioned he's been selling this companies other manifolds for awhile, this N54 piece just became available and he got a batch of them. I don't believe he had much idea or care what it was specifically for or that I was also building a manifold in competition to it, as he shouldn't care. We all have to eat, at the end of the day it's business. No hard feelings whatsoever, Marcus is a standup guy.

Highly doubtful people will be undecided between this china manifold and mine, they are two different parts for two very different customers. My customers aren't cheap, and don't mind paying for what they want. For those people, I'm here, for those looking for a cheap solution, I'm glad there is something out there for them, my parts aren't it!

-Shawn-

I am fairly certain that your manifold will appeal to those who have the $$$$ for the setup and want something unique while also very functional.

Much like the VAST offerings for the N5X platforms, just because they do the same function does not mean they are in direct competition. While i have no idea what Sharp Customs wishes to charge for this manifold i would assume its much lower than $900. Those with budget in mind or wanting to replace the ugly OEM manifold will be drawn towards the more economic option.

But all this means nothing until i get some testing done which is slow due to me having to part together EVERYTHING. The Manifold is 40% of the process while the other 60% depend on fitment and Dyno #'s.