3rd Gen Plastic Part Development
 

Hello all,

My name is Jon with Niche Motoring. We're a small company based in Bozeman, MT that works on developing and manufacturing plastic interior parts. We have an in-house 3d Scanner and 3d Printer that allows us to rapidly prototype parts and roll them into production.

I wanted to gauge some interest for interior parts, or any parts, really, that people are looking for in the FD3S. I've noticed a lot of interest in the cluster hood - is this something that people would like to see available for purchase, and if so, what are you willing to pay for one?

Here's our website: Niche Motoring

And here's some work we have done recently for the BMW MCoupe:


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b16b4e7916.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...16b541a52d.png


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...83efa37774.png


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...4d7174d7a3.jpg



If this isn't the correct way to go about posting could a moderator let me know?

I'd definitely be interested in this. The RX7 is in bad need of some higher quality replacement pieces at a decent price.

The cluster hood is definitely a piece that is in high demand but I would assume judging from my interior the door plastics would also be a popular piece.

I'm not real sure on price. I think there is a chinese company selling a whole carbon fiber dash kit for around $600 or so. So for just the cluster hood, I don't know $125-$150 sound reasonable?

That was the pricing point I was thinking.

Do you have an idea of what door plastics specifically?

door cups
cluster hood
cluster bezel
hvac panel
shifter panel
some kind of ashtray replacement panel

If you could get you're hands of one, recreating Mazda part FD01-61-150B would surely be a good seller. It's no longer in production, and it allows the blower motor to connect with the heater core when the evaporator core is removed. Great for track oriented FDs looking to shave weight.

Another piece on the FD that would be a strong seller is the R1/R2 cruise control blank button in the dash. These are also unavailable and ppl are always looking for them.

the center dash vent cap at the front of the window would be a good idea to reproduce. They are always breaking.

Very similar to your BMW breadvan roof peice in terms of reproducing.

How funny, I was *just* thinking about this the other day. This is the EXACT project the FD community needs moving forward. We don't need more bodykits, we need quality replacement OEM products.

I'll echo what Narfie said. Cluster hood/bezel, HAVC, shifter console, door plastics... center speaker grill on the dash and dash vent are a good idea since they are always punished by the sun.

FWIW - I just paid $250 for a used cluster hood/bezel with 94 texture. If you haven't realized yet, 93 finish on these panels is different from 94+. If you want/need more info, let us know.

Not to confuse matters, but perhaps "blank" versions would also be an idea. Here is a recent project that was interesting:
https://www.rx7club.com/build-thread...1009458/page8/

-M

Recently got some from Ray

Last I checked, there are still a few of the evap deletes floating around, and you can always just hollow out the stock evap box.

Where'd you find it? I just learned the hard way that LHD and RHD cluster hoods are not the same. The search continues...

I would be willing to pay around the following for 94 texture. But this is just me.

$150 for gauge hood and bezel
$150 for both door panel plastic
$100 for both door panel plastic cups
$100 for hvac panel
$100 for center shifter console
$50 for cruise control blank

Wow, thank you for the responses.

The hard part will be acquiring some of the plastics we need to re-engineer everything. What we will most likely start off with is a run of the cruise control blanks - they seem to be popular enough and we can have those shipping out relatively quickly compared to what it will take to get the cluster hoods and other parts ready.

I don't have any '94 finished parts, so I'm not sure how the texture differs from '93. I would love to see some examples.

If the cruise blanks go well and we get a good response, we will start work on other parts! I'll keep this thread updated with the progress. We'll get started on the cruise blanks today!

defenitly cruise control buton , inner door triangles,
headlight bucket maybe ?


thank you btw, we need more people like you

Thank you. :)

I'll look into the door triangles.

94+ Interior texture
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6066f4cd36.jpg




93 interior texture
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...f02912b294.jpg

Some of the stuff is actually still available new from Mazda - so that might be an option. The biggest problem with this route for an owner however is the finish doesn't match the 93 or 94+ panels.

Which brings me to; the difference between the 93 and 94+ panels is only in finish - not in structure or mounting. 93s had a smooth plastic coating which peeled after it got worn. 94+ had more of a textured finish that seemed to be more part of the mold - not a coating. I have some RHD (right hand drive) pieces that I could probably send you just to get an idea of what we're talking about.

I think the cruise blanks are a good idea. But perhaps an option on the cluster to delete it altogether would go over well (again, check that thread I mentioned before). However, I also understand not wanting to produce 10 different versions of everything. ;)

Thank you for the photos.

The biggest issue we'll run into is having unmolested plastics that are still intact to model from. A lot of the plastics on my car are missing or broken. Like I said, we can start with cruise blanks - and we'll have to send some out for test fitting so if you're interested in that we can work something out - and if the community likes them we will move onto larger, more complex objects like the hood and bezel.

Also, that thread has some good info - especially with the texture coat. I'd like to get a '94 part and some of that coating to compare the finished textures.

The 95 door plastics are still available from mazda. I just purchased both side that I am detexturing and painting to match the 93 finish professionally. Drivers side and Passenger side door cups are available along with the Hvac and the center console from mazda. I bought all of these items brand new. At a high cost but it is oem and a perfect fit.

The only door part that Mazda does not make is the Map pocket lid which Bubbletech has that covered. And you don't want to step on other vendor's toes and the Pocket which the lid covers. Mazda no longer makes the pockets on the driver's side door.

I know Benny has the map lids covered, so we won't be reproducing those.

I like Benny as much as the next guy... but I think if you making these - make all of it. Hell, if you can IMPROVE upon the design to avoid the issues the lids have from the factory - even better.

I don't think the potential for upsetting another vendor is a reason not to do anything. Another RX-7 shop was making aluminum replacement map lids before Benny - but who cares? /rant

Its the same reason benny won't make the same item another vendor on this site sells. Plus who wants an aluminum map lid pocket anyways? It adds weight.

Initial scan of button is done (headlight switch since my cruise button is missing :icon_tdow)


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b31fccaa7b.png


Should have a prototype by the end of the day.

I think you're missing the point.

I don't want this to go off on a tangent. But you're just not correct. Benny made race door panels, radiators cooling plates & trans spacers - all of which were made by other vendors before (and after) him. Nothing nefarious. It's just how it is.

If Heedlessone is trying to make everything to replace interior plastics... why WOULDN'T he make the map pocket? What if Heedlessone has everything ready to go, but Benny is backed up in production? What if one piece is a little different and Benny's doesn't work? God forbid Benny doesn't fully recover from the shop fire and decides to move on from making RX-7 parts? I mean, it just doesn't make sense for one vendor to make a decision based on maybe, possibly, hurting another vendor in someway.

LMS and SBG both make AEM coil kits. They're ok.
SBG and Turblown both made EWP kits. They're ok.
Turblown and IRP both make turbo kits. They're ok.

It's just the way things are. No need to NOT make something because it may cause competition.

Mirrored the headlight switch and printed out a base to make sure the curve and fitment is correct - it kind of looks like a baby carrot.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...94048b8cb1.jpg


Button and mirrored baby carrot

This is lightning paced progress, in the context of rx7club.

Thanks for response, unfortunately earlier this year (maybe january) I tried to pick one up through Ray, and he had just sold the last one. If you have any leads I could pursue toward obtaining one, that would be much appreciated. If need be, I will likely go your suggested route if I am unable to source the mazda part or have one replicated. It would be huge if a fellow member would be gracious enough to let this company replicate the part, if they would be at all interested in doing so.

I've been looking for a cruise blank for years, very excited to see this development!!!!!!!

That is amazing. How does it fit?

I'm in the same boat, Ray called back and said he couldn't get it for me back in March or so. Bummer.

For the parts development, I think it's awesome and could represent a very nice addition to the FD community. I hope it makes you money in droves and we get reasonably priced quality parts! I'm in for the cruise blank switches when you make them as well as the aforementioned EVAP-delete panel.

It fits perfectly, now we just have to design the actual mount. We don't have an OEM blank to go off of so on the back end it won't look OEM, however the front face should appear factory. Is there is a difference in finish from '93-'94 cruise blanks, or are they all just a smooth plastic?

We're so glad the community is as excited as we are to deliver some much needed replacement plastics.

subscribing to see if more of this stuff comes along. I could definitely use a door cup, as well as the radio surround and center console plastics. I'd love to just buy a whole kit, to be honest.

It's possible in the future we will work on a full kit, but that remains to be seen.

They're all the same.

whoaw that lools beautiful for a 1day project :icon_tup:

your going to make a pretty penny if your able
to duplicate the cluster hood (specially with the clips) :bling:

i am so in for new interior plastics

First prototype of the two pieces together - now that we have a rough idea for design changes we'll merge the two together into a single piece. We're essentially flying blind without the switch, and the mounting pillars are in rough shape. Once we get a "final" product, hopefully by next week, we'd like somebody to test fit one for us. No cost on your end, just high quality pictures of the product to make sure it fits correctly; and if not, what changes are needed to make it fit.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...9d7b8ab381.jpg

The cluster hood is a couple orders of magnitude harder than a blank switch. I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and be patient.

I was attempting to do this very thing, but ran into a roadblock. I scanned the center console cover, but I need to be able to convert the cloud point file into something CAD software can use. There is a program that converts the cloud points, but it's very far from free. I saw a program online that converts them, but I cannot get it to work. Hand-held laser scanners have decreased in price, but the software was what I found to be the pricey roadblock.

Oh, yeah, and the print texture. Higher "resolution" would take more printer time, but I don't believe there is a printer with high enough resolution to not require after printing.
Also, in case anyone was wondering, stuff can be "printed" in metal. "Selective laser sintering" is still pretty pricey, though.

Correct, the cluster hood will definitely take more time. We don't want to end up like other Group Buy threads we've seen on the forum, so we won't take any money until the product is available in our shop.

First full prototype, the fit is better than expected. More to come after the weekend. :gwink:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fa32d87289.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...858c44e105.jpg

Heedlessone is on it. Nice work.

You're certainly doing the community here a great favor, once the OEM parts run out, we're out of luck, and Mazda has no interest in making more.

Keep up the momentum! OEM plastics just weren't up to the task so I'm looking forward to some solid replacements.

dash center vent dual gual pod?

The possibility has been discussed. We have already created a block off plate to plug the speaker hole for my car, adding a gauge pod would be easy. Other companies have this part, though, so I doubt the demand is there for another one.

What you're talking about is the speaker pod... I think what he's talking about is the dash vents above the HAVC panel.

I don't think anyone makes a block off or gauge holder for that yet.

https://i.imgur.com/zrNeVMu.jpg
(RHD used just as it was the cleanest interior pic I could find)

That is definitely something we haven't talked about. Is this a part that people want to see?

Sub-freaking-scribed! This is cool.

Here is the version 2.0 prototype - I'd say the fit is pretty spot on given we started with nothing. Does anybody want a 3D printed version to install in their own car and document the fitment?


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...779fc69070.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...520d57f8fd.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5afe483b17.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c526563acd.jpg

I'm curious to see how the finish winds up on the parts. Printer resolution will require work after the print to make a reproduction with OEM apperance.