Cheap Alternative to Cusco Aluminum Diff Cover and other FRS products! - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

swong46 · 12-01-2012, 04:53 AM

Hi All,

I am looking to design and manufacture some parts for the BRZ and want to start off first with an aluminum diff cover; I think it will be a nice easy part to start off with. It will become a heatsink essentially while increasing the oil capacity.

Cusco sells theirs for MSRP: $907.00 [Link Here]
I have setup a poll for if you have interest in this part or interested in another part.

I will however need the stock cover or the Cusco cover to get dimensions; so, if anyone wants to provide the part, you will receive a completed cover at no cost! I will need at least two other interested parties to begin the project. Once someone wants to make a deposit, I will create a vendor account so everything is done correctly.

Below are pictures of parts I have designed/machined:
[Some pictures are taken during progress]

JoeBoxer · 12-01-2012, 05:05 AM

Replacement engine room braces and matching strut bar similar to the SRT design. Lower front and rear tie bars, engine oil caps, caps for brake, coolant, and washer fluid resevoirs.

Creddie · 12-01-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

I am looking to design and manufacture some parts for the BRZ and want to start off first with an aluminum diff cover; I think it will be a nice easy part to start off with. It will become a heatsink essentially while increasing the oil capacity.

Ever heard of copyright infringement?

RazorHawk · 12-01-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swong46

Hi All,

I am looking to design and manufacture some parts for the BRZ and want to start off first with an aluminum diff cover; I think it will be a nice easy part to start off with. It will become a heatsink essentially while increasing the oil capacity.

Cusco sells theirs for MSRP: $907.00 [Link Here]
I have estimated $250 each for it to be worth my time; final price to be determined later. I have setup a poll for if you have interest in this part or interested in another part.

I will however need the stock cover or the Cusco cover to get dimensions; so, if anyone wants to provide the part, you will receive a completed cover at no cost! I will need at least two other interested parties to begin the project. Once someone wants to make a deposit, I will create a vendor account so everything is done correctly.

Below are pictures of parts I have designed/machined:

Hi, nothing wrong with any of your post except for this. Dupilcating something that has already been designed is essentially illegal. If you have "designed" parts before, pull your stock cover, start from there, and add what you think the car needs (extra oil capacity, cooling fins, who knows, maybe people would go for having a cupholder for when they are working under the car, that is the fun of designing), but please dont just duplicate someone elses well thought out design.

Captain Insano · 12-01-2012, 09:38 AM

I don't get the mentality of people thinking that anybody that makes a part after one is already produced is "copying" it. The OP hasn't said that he is making an exact replica. It sounds to me like he is designing an "alternative". Read the title of the thread. Do you think anybody that designs anything for this car first looks at the OEM part or OEM dimensions? If they didn't, that would be damn scary.

Did Cusco copy the OEM diff cover? Do you think they looked at the dimensions of the OEM diff cover? Those bastards.

Look at all the exhaust manufacturers on the market. There are many that are almost exactly the same. Are they copying each other? Is that OK because it is an exhaust? If you don't like people making parts that are similar (even if they are an exact freaking copy) then don't buy it. I know alot of companies don't like hearing this that do R&D, but it's inevitable. Competition just happens in capitalism. Sorry.

Coheed · 12-01-2012, 09:40 AM

Here in America, we call that Capitalism. Unless the Cusco design is patented, it will be duplicated and sold. Also, copying the stock part is just as bad. You are still copying on someone else's design. Either route taken, things can be altered along the way to make it unique.

The cusco unit is nice. But not $900 nice, unless you got a sponsored race car I don't understand the cost here.

I'm just being the devil's advocate here.

swong46 · 12-01-2012, 02:32 PM

Who says I am copying it? I am very capable in designing my own parts. I just need one to make measurements (mounting holes, L/W/H for clearance, etc).

vubaru · 12-01-2012, 02:36 PM

If there is an alternative to the Cusco part that is made in CA, especially if it is local to me, that is an option I would consider. That is all I'm saying.

Also, a rear differential mount brace wouldn't be hard to make...

chutrain · 12-01-2012, 03:37 PM

I also recommend extending the heat sink portion down like this diff cover found on the Z3 M. We use this diff cover as an upgrade for the E30 M3 rear ends. This allows air to actually flow thrown the finned portion.

wootwoot · 12-02-2012, 01:31 PM

I would be into it...

NYC BRZ · 12-02-2012, 02:04 PM

Id be interested. You can never have enough insurance for major mechanical parts.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2

RazorHawk · 12-02-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swong46

Who says I am copying it? I am very capable in designing my own parts. I just need one to make measurements (mounting holes, L/W/H for clearance, etc).

All I was saying is, why do you nee dthe aftermarket one if you are designing one of your own. Use the stock one as a reference.

swong46 · 12-02-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazorHawk

All I was saying is, why do you nee dthe aftermarket one if you are designing one of your own. Use the stock one as a reference.

I said either one would work. But obviously the aftermarket one is already dimensioned close to maximum from hitting the subframe and other components nearby.

And secondly does it say I own a BRZ/FRS on the left hand column under my name?

swong46 · 12-02-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chutrain

I also recommend extending the heat sink portion down like this diff cover found on the Z3 M. We use this diff cover as an upgrade for the E30 M3 rear ends. This allows air to actually flow thrown the finned portion.

I was thinking the exact same thing. The Cusco unit's cooling capacity is almost laughable because of how much better it could be.

However, to have hanging fins like that you would want to cast the part to be cost effective. I plan on testing a scoop to direct air into the fins.

View Poll Results: Inteerested?
Hell yeaa!	28	75.68%
Naaaah...	3	8.11%
Interested in something else (Please reply with your ideas)	6	16.22%
Voters: 37. You may not vote on this poll

12-01-2012, 04:53 AM	#1
swong46 Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: WRX, MR2, Alfa GTV Location: CA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Cheap Alternative to Cusco Aluminum Diff Cover and other FRS products! Hi All, I am looking to design and manufacture some parts for the BRZ and want to start off first with an aluminum diff cover; I think it will be a nice easy part to start off with. It will become a heatsink essentially while increasing the oil capacity. Cusco sells theirs for MSRP: $907.00 [Link Here] I have setup a poll for if you have interest in this part or interested in another part. I will however need the stock cover or the Cusco cover to get dimensions; so, if anyone wants to provide the part, you will receive a completed cover at no cost! I will need at least two other interested parties to begin the project. Once someone wants to make a deposit, I will create a vendor account so everything is done correctly. Below are pictures of parts I have designed/machined: [Some pictures are taken during progress] Last edited by swong46; 12-04-2012 at 05:37 AM.

12-02-2012, 02:04 PM	#11
NYC BRZ AutoX Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: 08 Pontiac G8 GT,13 GBS BRZ Limited Location: Queens, NY Posts: 723 Thanks: 168 Thanked 118 Times in 83 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Id be interested. You can never have enough insurance for major mechanical parts. Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2 __________________ 2013 BRZ Limited- GBS - 6MT -VIN #0937 ~~NYR SCCA # 18 C Street R (CSR)~~ "But there’s no mistaking the noise. This car is loud, and not in a particularly nice way. There’s no crisp exhaust note, no induction wheezing. It’s just the sound of petrol exploding in a metal box." - Jeremy Clarkson

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12-01-2012, 05:05 AM	#2
JoeBoxer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Whiteout FR-S Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,154 Thanks: 1,666 Thanked 1,627 Times in 997 Posts Mentioned: 72 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Replacement engine room braces and matching strut bar similar to the SRT design. Lower front and rear tie bars, engine oil caps, caps for brake, coolant, and washer fluid resevoirs.

12-01-2012, 09:38 AM	#5
Captain Insano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: 2014 Jeep Wrangler RubiconX Location: Midwest, USA Posts: 1,282 Thanks: 110 Thanked 292 Times in 224 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I don't get the mentality of people thinking that anybody that makes a part after one is already produced is "copying" it. The OP hasn't said that he is making an exact replica. It sounds to me like he is designing an "alternative". Read the title of the thread. Do you think anybody that designs anything for this car first looks at the OEM part or OEM dimensions? If they didn't, that would be damn scary. Did Cusco copy the OEM diff cover? Do you think they looked at the dimensions of the OEM diff cover? Those bastards. Look at all the exhaust manufacturers on the market. There are many that are almost exactly the same. Are they copying each other? Is that OK because it is an exhaust? If you don't like people making parts that are similar (even if they are an exact freaking copy) then don't buy it. I know alot of companies don't like hearing this that do R&D, but it's inevitable. Competition just happens in capitalism. Sorry.

12-01-2012, 09:40 AM	#6
Coheed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: DGM BRZ Limited Location: Seattle Posts: 813 Thanks: 209 Thanked 225 Times in 157 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Here in America, we call that Capitalism. Unless the Cusco design is patented, it will be duplicated and sold. Also, copying the stock part is just as bad. You are still copying on someone else's design. Either route taken, things can be altered along the way to make it unique. The cusco unit is nice. But not $900 nice, unless you got a sponsored race car I don't understand the cost here. I'm just being the devil's advocate here.

12-01-2012, 02:32 PM	#7
swong46 Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: WRX, MR2, Alfa GTV Location: CA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Who says I am copying it? I am very capable in designing my own parts. I just need one to make measurements (mounting holes, L/W/H for clearance, etc).

12-01-2012, 02:36 PM	#8
vubaru Now with Boost! Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: 2013 SWP BRZ Ltd. Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 415 Thanks: 281 Thanked 424 Times in 257 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If there is an alternative to the Cusco part that is made in CA, especially if it is local to me, that is an option I would consider. That is all I'm saying. Also, a rear differential mount brace wouldn't be hard to make...

12-02-2012, 01:31 PM	#10
wootwoot Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: FRS Location: Cali Posts: 1,558 Thanks: 188 Thanked 462 Times in 264 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I would be into it...

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