Update on Dampener from BHJ

[jeffp]

I got a call from Brian today regarding the custom dampener. I guess Dave Robello called him today asking when it was going to be done.

They have come up with a number of applications, but it seems they are having difficulty getting the unit lighter then the stock part.

While all of us would like a lighter part, myself included, this may not be possible because they are using steel in stead of a cast part, and the cast part is about 10-15% lighter then steel.

One option is to go with an aluminum hub (with a steel ring for the front seal like chevy does to repair their parts) and bolt the dampener on and also go with the bolt on third pully like stock.

I told Brian the most important thing is to get a part that will not trash itself like the stock dampener does. I am willing to run the same weight dampener if I dont have to worry about the elastimer seperating like the stock unit does when you get the rpm's up into the 7K range.

The other option we discussed was making the pully in aluminum, but Brian was not real excited about that option. He want's a part that will last a good long time. I told him I would not care to much if that part did not go 100K like some of them do on a stock engine that never gets any real rpm levels. I dont mind changing out a pully every now and then if I can service it myself. That was one thing I did mention is that most of the people here and on the other forums service their cars themselves, so that really is not an issue.

I think there is a good solution here, it's just a matter of deciding which way to go. Myself, I just want a part that will last under race conditions and I will be very happy with that.

Brian will be getting back with me next week on the thing and hopefully cost of manufacture of the part. I told him that if I can get a good part, even it it weighs the same as the stock part I'm buying it.

Additionally, I think in this case, even tho I did all the leg work on this unit, I am going to let Dave Robello , and david at innovator market the part.

have a good one guys and gals.

jeff

[D83ZXT]

I was informed that they will be available next week at a cost of $350.00 for the unit. That's per conversation Dennis had with Dave two days ago.

 

Donna

[Lockjaw]

If it is stock weight, can it be an underdrive one? I think that would be a good idea since there is a sight selling billet H2O and alternator pulleys now.

[jeffp]

Hi Donna, the price has yet to be determined, I have not spoken to Dave Robello regarding the part, and as far as I am concerned he can sell them for what ever he likes.

I took the time to do the ground work on the zx dampener. I have been working with Brian, not Dave Robello. I understand Dave did do something on the older dampener with the company, but that is not my concern.

This is a tricky situation here. I would like Dave to take the lead and David at innovator, but not at the cost of it adding extra expense on to my cost for the part. I understand these people are in business to make money, but the reality of it is, I did the work and research to get this going for our cars. I have been very careful not to step on Dave Robello's toes and I would like to think he is going to afford me the same courtesy.

I think i am going to make a couple of calls, and make sure this is all in order.

[jeffp]

Ok Just got off the phone with Brian. Here is the story on the dampener (for the ZX 79-83 cars ONLY) the Dampener will be a BHJ part number and be stocked and sold by BHJ. This will be a bolt on stock replacement dampener for our cars. They are going to , tentively, have the dampener SFI approved, and the final design is still being looked at. They just may make it just like the stock unit with the two fixed shivs, and a bolt on third shiv, for the power steering. So the part could end up being a two part number unit.

 

The other dampener,(single shiv unit) that is the racing unit Dave Robello had made is His unit. He paid the engineering costs on the unit, he helped in the design, and the engineering drawings are his. This is not the same dampener that is being made for our zx cars.

 

I just wanted to be very clear on this matter. If Dave Robello buys the zx dampener, he can sell it for what ever cost he likes as a business man. I haven't got a problem with that in the least.

I just wanted to set the record strait on this unit. When Brian informed me of this, I said GOOD, then I will give you a few vendors for the part. NO problem, I got this going with them in the first place because I had a need for a good part. I was not trying to duplicate what Dave Robello was doing. Approcahing the requirement from the stand point of a race car/ street car, (really a race car on the street LOL) I needed a dampener that would also fulfill the requirements of a car that had the accessories, like power steering, the A/C system, but be able to run in a race application. I think this has worked out well forthe guys that want to race their cars, but at the same time have a car that is still leagal for the street, and that is what I wanted.