NWP Engineering "Economy" Thermal Intake Spacer Kit - New material! Lower prices!
11-04-2011, 06:06 PM
#1
NWP Engineering "Economy" Thermal Intake Spacer Kit - New material! Lower prices!
This entire year, I have been trying to find ways that I can reduce the prices on existing NWP products. With the Engine Torque Link Kit, I reduced my costs by drastically increasing the production quantity. I did the same for the Basic VIAS Block Plate Kit and have lowered my prices to an insane degree in order not to be undersold. The Basic VIAS Block Plates are still being sold for $9.97 shipped and are still in stock with more currently being made. And we will still match any competitor's advertised price on the VIAS Block Plate. Just visit my VIAS sales thread in the Sponsor's section for more details.
I have also recently done the same with the NWP Spacers with the release of the 02-08 Maxima 3pc kit. The 3pc kit has been tested and shows roughly a 30 degree temperature reduction in UIM temps. The VQ35 5pc kit shows a 40 degree reduction. So I feel the performance gain of the 3pc NWP kit is still there and will be noticeable, but just as expected, it's not a full 40 degree temperature reduction and will not quite be a full 10hp and 12 ft-lbs of torque gain.
I released the 3pc kit to appeal to those that still want to mod their car, but not break the bank. It is for those that don't mind settling for a few less HP or less reduction in heat soak. The 3pc kit is currently priced at $175 retail and is on sale on the forums for 154.99 shipped if you ask for free shipping according to my vendor threads.
But I didn't stop there! Since the Spring of this year, I have been testing several different other types of insulating materials that may be easier to machine in order to reduce costs to pass onto my customers. The glass based phenolic laminate that the NWP Spacers are currently made of are the toughest insulating Thermal Intake Spacer you'll find for any engine on the market. It will easily outlast the life of your car! And we offer a lifetime warranty on it and guarantee it to be free of defects for life. As long as you don't try to test its flexibility and try to break it, the Spacer will last forever. But since this Spacer material is so durable, it is also very expensive and very tough to machine. A diamond coated CNC end mill does not last very long against this stuff. You can not use an ordinary end mill with our spacer material. And we do not waterjet or laser CNC cut phenolic laminates. The cut quality just isn't good enough for me.
So I looked into other, easier to machine insulating materials in order to possibly design an "Economy" version of our same Spacer Kit at a much lower price. An easier to machine material will also mean that it won't be as durable as our current Spacers. So a lot of testing has been done. I spent the entire Summer and this Fall testing different materials while being compressed while exposed to heat (sandwiched between two brackets torqued to 15 ft-lbs like the stock upper intake manifold is torqued to).
A paper or canvas based phenolic laminate will insulate just as well as the glass based phenolic and it is a lot easier to machine. But I did not like the way it looked, especially once it was machined. Finally, I found a type of insulating material that insulates just as well as phenolic and still stands up to heat and looks every bit as good as our current Spacers. It is softer than the hard glass based phenolic we currently used for our Spacers. So it will not replace the Spacer Kit that we currently sell. It will just be a more inexpensive option to choose from.
Since this Economy Spacer Kit material is softer, it is much easier to machine and the costs have dropped considerably for us. Our current Phenolic Spacers can be uninstalled and reinstalled as many times as you want and they will be guaranteed for life. But this Economy NWP Spacer material can not be reinstalled an infinite amount of times. It will scratch over time. But, it is guarantee to be free of defects and will last for life if you install it and leave it. You can still reinstall it a handful of times and still be just fine. But by uninstalling the kit time and time again, I'm sure it will get banged up and won't look as pretty after the 20th time you've reinstalled them. So if you are the type that removes their intake manifold every other weekend, you will want to prefer the higher quality phenolic NWP Spacers. But if you are the type that only plans to remove their intake manifold the next time you need to replace spark plugs, then the Economy NWP Spacer Kit will be perfect for you.
This new material is black in color and looks every bit as beautiful as the current NWP Spacers we produce. You will probably not be able to tell them apart by looking at a side by side photo.
Pricing has not been determined just yet. But it will be CONSIDERABLY lower in price than our current Spacer Kit that we produce for $225. It will be released in the full 5pc Kit and the 3pc Kit. The 5pc Economy Kit will consist of 3 Spacers made out of the new material, the Throttle Body, Elbow, and the Upper Intake Manifold Spacer. And the 2 Lower Intake Manifold Phenolic Spacers we currently sell will be included to complete the kit.
I was surprised how much easier these new Economy Spacers were to machine. So my costs have dropped quite a bit! On top of that, I have drastically increased my normal production quantities. I feel very confident in investing so much money into this project before the first kit is even sold. The reason being is due to the testing these prototypes have gone through. It takes a lot of testing before I feel comfortable stamping the NWP name on them and releasing them to the public! After these several months of testing, I know this will be a trusted new NWP Engineering product that will last a very very long time.
And best of all, the price will be amazingly low, especially at the introductory price! I hope to fully release the kit for sale with photos of the final product within the next 3 weeks!
Thank you for all your support over the years!
Aaron Kimball
NWP Engineering, Inc
[aaron@nwpengineering.com]
www.NWPEngineering.com
252-747-7672 (Hours: M-F 9-5pm ET)
I have also recently done the same with the NWP Spacers with the release of the 02-08 Maxima 3pc kit. The 3pc kit has been tested and shows roughly a 30 degree temperature reduction in UIM temps. The VQ35 5pc kit shows a 40 degree reduction. So I feel the performance gain of the 3pc NWP kit is still there and will be noticeable, but just as expected, it's not a full 40 degree temperature reduction and will not quite be a full 10hp and 12 ft-lbs of torque gain.
I released the 3pc kit to appeal to those that still want to mod their car, but not break the bank. It is for those that don't mind settling for a few less HP or less reduction in heat soak. The 3pc kit is currently priced at $175 retail and is on sale on the forums for 154.99 shipped if you ask for free shipping according to my vendor threads.
But I didn't stop there! Since the Spring of this year, I have been testing several different other types of insulating materials that may be easier to machine in order to reduce costs to pass onto my customers. The glass based phenolic laminate that the NWP Spacers are currently made of are the toughest insulating Thermal Intake Spacer you'll find for any engine on the market. It will easily outlast the life of your car! And we offer a lifetime warranty on it and guarantee it to be free of defects for life. As long as you don't try to test its flexibility and try to break it, the Spacer will last forever. But since this Spacer material is so durable, it is also very expensive and very tough to machine. A diamond coated CNC end mill does not last very long against this stuff. You can not use an ordinary end mill with our spacer material. And we do not waterjet or laser CNC cut phenolic laminates. The cut quality just isn't good enough for me.
So I looked into other, easier to machine insulating materials in order to possibly design an "Economy" version of our same Spacer Kit at a much lower price. An easier to machine material will also mean that it won't be as durable as our current Spacers. So a lot of testing has been done. I spent the entire Summer and this Fall testing different materials while being compressed while exposed to heat (sandwiched between two brackets torqued to 15 ft-lbs like the stock upper intake manifold is torqued to).
A paper or canvas based phenolic laminate will insulate just as well as the glass based phenolic and it is a lot easier to machine. But I did not like the way it looked, especially once it was machined. Finally, I found a type of insulating material that insulates just as well as phenolic and still stands up to heat and looks every bit as good as our current Spacers. It is softer than the hard glass based phenolic we currently used for our Spacers. So it will not replace the Spacer Kit that we currently sell. It will just be a more inexpensive option to choose from.
Since this Economy Spacer Kit material is softer, it is much easier to machine and the costs have dropped considerably for us. Our current Phenolic Spacers can be uninstalled and reinstalled as many times as you want and they will be guaranteed for life. But this Economy NWP Spacer material can not be reinstalled an infinite amount of times. It will scratch over time. But, it is guarantee to be free of defects and will last for life if you install it and leave it. You can still reinstall it a handful of times and still be just fine. But by uninstalling the kit time and time again, I'm sure it will get banged up and won't look as pretty after the 20th time you've reinstalled them. So if you are the type that removes their intake manifold every other weekend, you will want to prefer the higher quality phenolic NWP Spacers. But if you are the type that only plans to remove their intake manifold the next time you need to replace spark plugs, then the Economy NWP Spacer Kit will be perfect for you.
This new material is black in color and looks every bit as beautiful as the current NWP Spacers we produce. You will probably not be able to tell them apart by looking at a side by side photo.
Pricing has not been determined just yet. But it will be CONSIDERABLY lower in price than our current Spacer Kit that we produce for $225. It will be released in the full 5pc Kit and the 3pc Kit. The 5pc Economy Kit will consist of 3 Spacers made out of the new material, the Throttle Body, Elbow, and the Upper Intake Manifold Spacer. And the 2 Lower Intake Manifold Phenolic Spacers we currently sell will be included to complete the kit.
I was surprised how much easier these new Economy Spacers were to machine. So my costs have dropped quite a bit! On top of that, I have drastically increased my normal production quantities. I feel very confident in investing so much money into this project before the first kit is even sold. The reason being is due to the testing these prototypes have gone through. It takes a lot of testing before I feel comfortable stamping the NWP name on them and releasing them to the public! After these several months of testing, I know this will be a trusted new NWP Engineering product that will last a very very long time.
And best of all, the price will be amazingly low, especially at the introductory price! I hope to fully release the kit for sale with photos of the final product within the next 3 weeks!
Thank you for all your support over the years!
Aaron Kimball
NWP Engineering, Inc
[aaron@nwpengineering.com]
www.NWPEngineering.com
252-747-7672 (Hours: M-F 9-5pm ET)
11-04-2011, 06:22 PM
#2
I love you!..r company
I wasn't even aware there were 3- and 5-piece spacers. Sheesh, it looks like I need to revisit your website. Definitely looking forward to an economy set! It's a really clever idea, Aaron, and proves just how far ahead of the pack you are when it comes to serving your customers.
Edit: What you REALLY need is to find a better way of marketing your products. I've been on here since April of 2010, according to my lil' join date thing, and just figured you were content to make the block plates, torque link, and one spacer kit. Now, suddenly, you've got EGR block plates for 04+ VQ35 swaps and all sorts of crazy awesome stuff about to roll out? Maybe do a thing where... No, ads via email are annoying, especially when they come through a forum. Well, guess I'll be following you on Facebook.
I wasn't even aware there were 3- and 5-piece spacers. Sheesh, it looks like I need to revisit your website. Definitely looking forward to an economy set! It's a really clever idea, Aaron, and proves just how far ahead of the pack you are when it comes to serving your customers.
Edit: What you REALLY need is to find a better way of marketing your products. I've been on here since April of 2010, according to my lil' join date thing, and just figured you were content to make the block plates, torque link, and one spacer kit. Now, suddenly, you've got EGR block plates for 04+ VQ35 swaps and all sorts of crazy awesome stuff about to roll out? Maybe do a thing where... No, ads via email are annoying, especially when they come through a forum. Well, guess I'll be following you on Facebook.
Last edited by Eirik; 11-04-2011 at 06:41 PM.
11-07-2011, 10:13 AM
#5
Thank you everyone.
VQPOWER, the 2010 Altima has a different intake manifold than the 02-08 Maxima. So this kit will not fit on your engine. But, we do plan on developing products for your platform in the future.
Scott, I'm sorry. I plan on only specializing in Nissan Performance Parts. I do not have any plans right now to produce any parts for Hondas.
VQPOWER, the 2010 Altima has a different intake manifold than the 02-08 Maxima. So this kit will not fit on your engine. But, we do plan on developing products for your platform in the future.
Scott, I'm sorry. I plan on only specializing in Nissan Performance Parts. I do not have any plans right now to produce any parts for Hondas.
11-07-2011, 11:09 AM
#8
11-07-2011, 11:38 AM
#12
All our Spacers and Block Plates are cut with a CNC End Mill. We never use a waterjet since the cut will not be nearly as good as with a CNC end mill.
That's why all our products are beautiful!
And I'm sure you know this. But just in case if others reading this do not pick up on your sarcasm, thicker is not always better. A thicker intake manifold spacer will only shift the power band lower and hurt top end performance. You will notice a gain in low end power, but with a Spacer much thicker than a 1/4", your top end power will be decreased. And if you want to actually lower your 1/4 mile ETs and make your car accelerate faster, you do NOT want to do anything that hurts your top end power!
Simply put, if you want a car that accelerates faster, do not do anything that would decrease your midrange and top end power.
If you want to use your Maxima for towing though and not racing, then yes, install a thick spacer and improve your low end power in exchange for top end.
That's why all our products are beautiful!
Simply put, if you want a car that accelerates faster, do not do anything that would decrease your midrange and top end power.
If you want to use your Maxima for towing though and not racing, then yes, install a thick spacer and improve your low end power in exchange for top end.
11-07-2011, 11:43 AM
#13
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All our Spacers and Block Plates are cut with a CNC End Mill. We never use a waterjet since the cut will not be nearly as good as with a CNC end mill.
That's why all our products are beautiful!
And I'm sure you know this. But just in case if others reading this do not pick up on your sarcasm, thicker is not always better. A thicker intake manifold spacer will only shift the power band lower and hurt top end performance. You will notice a gain in low end power, but with a Spacer much thicker than a 1/4", your top end power will be decreased. And if you want to actually lower your 1/4 mile ETs and make your car accelerate faster, you do NOT want to do anything that hurts your top end power!
Simply put, if you want a car that accelerates faster, do not do anything that would decrease your midrange and top end power.
If you want to use your Maxima for towing though and not racing, then yes, install a thick spacer and improve your low end power in exchange for top end.
That's why all our products are beautiful!
And I'm sure you know this. But just in case if others reading this do not pick up on your sarcasm, thicker is not always better. A thicker intake manifold spacer will only shift the power band lower and hurt top end performance. You will notice a gain in low end power, but with a Spacer much thicker than a 1/4", your top end power will be decreased. And if you want to actually lower your 1/4 mile ETs and make your car accelerate faster, you do NOT want to do anything that hurts your top end power!
Simply put, if you want a car that accelerates faster, do not do anything that would decrease your midrange and top end power.
If you want to use your Maxima for towing though and not racing, then yes, install a thick spacer and improve your low end power in exchange for top end.
11-07-2011, 12:40 PM
#17
Ain't this grand!? I will be waiting. I am glad I held up on buying the 3 pc kit. It was cheaper but still a stretch for me this time of year. Maybe I can even snag up a BOP at the same time. Keep us posted and thank you for the continued effort for the VQ crowd.
Sub'ed!
Sub'ed!
11-07-2011, 02:24 PM
#18
My 03 6MT needs more mid and top the most, that's pretty cool though how the thickness of the spacer pulls your curve low end or high end. There's only an 1/8 mile where I am, so maybe thicker spacer wins at that show but most of my races usually end up starting at a roll, so Im dedicated to being one of the first w the economy set : )
But rolls are
But rolls are
11-07-2011, 02:28 PM
#20
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My 03 6MT needs more mid and top the most, that's pretty cool though how the thickness of the spacer pulls your curve low end or high end. There's only an 1/8 mile where I am, so maybe thicker spacer wins at that show but most of my races usually end up starting at a roll, so Im dedicated to being one of the first w the economy set : )
But rolls are
But rolls are
A 6mt will be in 3rd gear at the end of the 1/8th and the majority of that time is spent in 2nd from ~4800-6500.
Only in the first 60 feet does bottom end matter much, and you're likely to be more traction limited than underpowered. If you have sticky tires, you'll be launching from high RPMs anyway.
11-09-2011, 01:58 AM
#21
Even in the 1/8th mile, you spend the majority of your time going down the track in the mid/topend of the RPM band.
A 6mt will be in 3rd gear at the end of the 1/8th and the majority of that time is spent in 2nd from ~4800-6500.
Only in the first 60 feet does bottom end matter much, and you're likely to be more traction limited than underpowered. If you have sticky tires, you'll be launching from high RPMs anyway.
A 6mt will be in 3rd gear at the end of the 1/8th and the majority of that time is spent in 2nd from ~4800-6500.
Only in the first 60 feet does bottom end matter much, and you're likely to be more traction limited than underpowered. If you have sticky tires, you'll be launching from high RPMs anyway.
11-09-2011, 05:25 AM
#23
The former was your idea. The latter was Sparks' comment. The former: cost>reward. The latter has more merit for an actual mod. Sparks was kind enough to give you credit for the basic premise of adding volume at the BOP. He's generous. Some of your ideas would be very good if you had more than a cursory thought before blurting it out. Take a few minutes and think things through. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next Cory?
11-09-2011, 06:08 AM
#24
I wonder if aron could make me this bop spacer about 1''thick . i''l brake out the ruler maybe i can go bigger. basicly it would be a copy of the gasket but only bigger..
Last edited by Clashez; 11-09-2011 at 06:29 AM.
11-09-2011, 06:33 AM
#25
11-09-2011, 07:33 AM
#26
11-09-2011, 08:01 AM
#27
I see what ur saying sparks, it makes sense.
I think I was referring to 1st-2nd gear as "low end" which I now see as Incorrect. Low end is rev or rpms from what 1500-4000k rpms?
If that's the case then I'm still cut down the middle because my 6 speed doesn't even start talkin to me until 4k : /
I think I was referring to 1st-2nd gear as "low end" which I now see as Incorrect. Low end is rev or rpms from what 1500-4000k rpms?
If that's the case then I'm still cut down the middle because my 6 speed doesn't even start talkin to me until 4k : /
11-09-2011, 12:27 PM
#29
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Not to steal clashez thunder or anything, but he got the idea of the "bubble bop" from me. I mentioned it in my original custom manifold thread as an idea to easily increase the volume of the stock plenum. I think relocating the wire harness next to it and using a spacer would be better, though.
This quote is from almost a year ago.
This quote is from almost a year ago.
Last edited by sparks03max; 11-09-2011 at 12:31 PM.
11-09-2011, 12:32 PM
#30
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I see what ur saying sparks, it makes sense.
I think I was referring to 1st-2nd gear as "low end" which I now see as Incorrect. Low end is rev or rpms from what 1500-4000k rpms?
If that's the case then I'm still cut down the middle because my 6 speed doesn't even start talkin to me until 4k : /
I think I was referring to 1st-2nd gear as "low end" which I now see as Incorrect. Low end is rev or rpms from what 1500-4000k rpms?
If that's the case then I'm still cut down the middle because my 6 speed doesn't even start talkin to me until 4k : /
11-09-2011, 12:35 PM
#31
Not to steal clashez thunder or anything, but he got the idea of the "bubble bop" from me. I mentioned it in my original custom manifold thread as an idea to easily increase the volume of the stock plenum. I think relocating the wire harness next to it and using a spacer would be better, though.
This quote is from almost a year ago.
This quote is from almost a year ago.
Oooh no you are stealing my thunder, i came up with that idea while taking a shower... smh
I also came up with the idea to use a spacer instead of making a bubble type bop.
Last edited by Clashez; 11-09-2011 at 12:37 PM.
11-09-2011, 12:58 PM
#33
11-09-2011, 01:32 PM
#35
Back on topic aaron love the new kit hopefully we can see more new products from u soon
Last edited by Clashez; 11-09-2011 at 01:37 PM.
