Group Buy & Product Dev. FD RX-7 Post your possible Group Buys and product interest for the 1992 through 2002 FD series RX-7 in this section.

DRAKES Product development thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-13-19, 01:55 AM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
DRAKES Product development thread

Disclaimer: I am not a vendor, this thread is not to sell anything and is simply a portal so RX7 Club members can view progress on my current projects and development of parts for the FD platform. If that is not allowed please feel free to delete this thread.


Hello! I don't post here that much, as I mainly use IG to post my updates or pose questions regarding new parts. (@Draklore)

Anyways, here's some projects I have either worked on or that are currently in development. Everything I do is simply modeled in RHD but I make in both RHD and LHD.












The following users liked this post:
MattGold (01-14-19)
Old 01-13-19, 02:00 AM
  #2  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts












The following 2 users liked this post by Draklore:
Johnny7280 (02-14-19), MattGold (01-14-19)
Old 01-13-19, 10:44 AM
  #3  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (33)
 
Spalato's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: US/EU
Posts: 1,080
Received 112 Likes on 65 Posts
Amazing work! Wow!!
Old 01-13-19, 10:58 AM
  #4  
Lives on the Forum

iTrader: (9)
 
ptrhahn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 9,023
Received 498 Likes on 272 Posts
Good stuff! Been following you on IG for a while, I have your single-gauge center speaker pod.

Will be calling for a custom product.
Old 01-13-19, 02:10 PM
  #5  
Polishing Fiend

iTrader: (139)
 
CrispyRX7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MD
Posts: 3,393
Received 42 Likes on 22 Posts
great work!
Old 01-13-19, 03:10 PM
  #6  
needs more track time

iTrader: (16)
 
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 9,182
Received 507 Likes on 349 Posts
Cool parts
How does the PFC / phone / cup holder mount?
Old 01-13-19, 04:22 PM
  #7  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Originally Posted by gracer7-rx7
Cool parts
How does the PFC / phone / cup holder mount?
thank you, they mount to where the dimmer switch normally sits, some fds have a blanking panel there and no switch, if you have the switch you will need to leave it plugged in and tuck it down the side or behind the panel. there is a magnetic adapter that sits in the slot, and will accept wither the pfc holder or my cup holder. opens up some versatility for that spot





The following users liked this post:
MattGold (01-14-19)
Old 01-13-19, 06:39 PM
  #8  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Updated Meter hood CAD with tabs and cluster support modeled in. next the first prototype



The following users liked this post:
MattGold (01-14-19)
Old 01-13-19, 08:15 PM
  #9  
Full Member
 
403rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 121
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Excellent, been following on FB and Insta for a while... keep up the good work, I want these wrapped in black alcantara
Old 01-13-19, 09:05 PM
  #10  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
I appreciate all the kind remarks. Hopefully I can keep posting regular updates here as it seems im constantly developing parts or making custom changes to old ones
Old 01-14-19, 12:58 PM
  #11  
Form > Function

iTrader: (107)
 
MattGold's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Metro Detroit
Posts: 1,645
Received 198 Likes on 100 Posts
Great to see you on here Shane!

I'm going to copy/paste a post I made on Facebook a while ago as I think it's fitting and may address some concerns people might have over a 3D printed product...

<<
I just wanted to take a quick moment and appreciate the companies, but more so, the people that keep on innovating, pushing and keeping the FD a platform worth playing with.

Specifically, I wanted to focus on Shane Drake / DRAKES who is just killing it with his recent gauge pods. I just received his new LHD column mount gauge pod and it's the real deal.

I’ve had thoughts about the 3D printed stuff being “meh” in a production environment. I mean, it’s great for prototyping and stuff you’re not gonna actually use... but for a finished product? Really?

Yes. The answer is yes. His stuff is just as nice as any aftermarket gauge pod from Autometer or RE-A - if not better.

If you've been on the fence or not sure if his products are high enough quality - they are.

The other "big picture" idea I like about 3D printing is that every piece can be better then the previous. Any idea can be incorporated and the piece can evolve into the best product possible. With an injected molded or fiberglass molded piece, you design it and that's that. No evolution of the product, it just "is" for better or for worse. But with 3D printing, incremental changes and improvements never end.

Ok. That wasn't exactly a "quick moment" - but thanks for reading.
>>

The following users liked this post:
Narfle (01-14-19)
Old 01-14-19, 01:20 PM
  #12  
Rx7 Wagon

iTrader: (16)
 
Narfle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: California
Posts: 6,988
Received 875 Likes on 548 Posts
The column mount pod is cool, especially if it's designed to work with the LHD steering column and stalks. There's a huge market for textured or affordable LHD meter hoods, if it's viable. Thanks for the great designs.
Old 01-14-19, 01:27 PM
  #13  
Form > Function

iTrader: (107)
 
MattGold's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Metro Detroit
Posts: 1,645
Received 198 Likes on 100 Posts
Originally Posted by Narfle
The column mount pod is cool, especially if it's designed to work with the LHD steering column and stalks. There's a huge market for textured or affordable LHD meter hoods, if it's viable. Thanks for the great designs.
Yes. It is. Shane's solution for this is PERFECT. I currently have it installed on my car. VERY impressive stuff.

Old 01-14-19, 01:34 PM
  #14  
Full Member
iTrader: (3)
 
RikTT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: NY
Posts: 91
Received 36 Likes on 17 Posts
I have a couple products from him as well which is really sweet looking !
Old 01-14-19, 01:48 PM
  #15  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Thanks Matt!! And yes everything is available LHD and RHd as the interiors are just mirrored. I simply do all the scans and CAD in RHD as my personal car is RHD.


i can’t thank everyone enough, I find myself trying to do better with each month, each product. It is honestly difficult to get consistent perfect results, but the fact that people have stuck with me is inspiring and keeps me going 🤘🏻
Old 01-15-19, 12:21 PM
  #16  
Time or Money, Pick one

iTrader: (36)
 
silverTRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Torrance, ca.
Posts: 3,347
Received 154 Likes on 125 Posts
How is figment on the RE A style column pod? I have the Petit and it isn’t great.
Old 01-15-19, 12:41 PM
  #17  
Rocket Appliances

iTrader: (11)
 
Skeese's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Canton GA
Posts: 1,134
Received 203 Likes on 113 Posts
Hey Shane! Welcome to the forums, glad to see you made it over here!

Shane made me a custom dash vent replacement to hold my rectangular afr500v2 wideband that came out perfect and fit like a glove. Excellent work, excellent product, excellent price and excellent communication.

Skeese
Old 01-15-19, 04:44 PM
  #18  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts
Originally Posted by silverTRD
How is figment on the RE A style column pod? I have the Petit and it isn’t great.
i’d like to think it’s really good, since making Matt’s I have made a second version that lines up even better, has more strength and rigidity and a bit better overall shape. From a distance they are indistinguishable but I will have to get some updated photos. I think there are about 30 or 40 of them out there, just waiting for install pictures from the new ones

I used SCans to ensure clearance for everything underneath and the cluster itself, this meant sitting the pod as low as possible while maintaining an OEM like look and fitment. The tabs are metal and it clips in so well I broke the first few trying to remove them before getting everything squared away

I think I’ve solved all the issues now and I’m really happy with it. Since it’s available in left hand drive, and right hand drive the fitment is spot on regardless. On top of that everything I offer has a lifetime warranty



thanks skeese, can’t wait to see the final install pics!
Old 01-15-19, 07:51 PM
  #19  
Stock boost FTW!

iTrader: (22)
 
Project88Turbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berlin, MD
Posts: 1,134
Received 110 Likes on 71 Posts
If you can make an affordable LHD gauge hood, everyone will probably buy 2!

Several vendors have been unsuccessful at bringing that to market. They post pictures of prototypes and that's as far as they ever get.

I'd be down for one myself as the one in my car is pieced together.

Vince
Old 01-16-19, 11:08 AM
  #20  
H_M
Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
H_M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: CanuckVille
Posts: 624
Received 89 Likes on 53 Posts
I'm glad that you're posting on here now. I've been following your IG posts for a while. I love the products that you're coming out with. It's great to see people making new and innovative parts (and replacement parts) for these cars.
Old 01-16-19, 11:53 AM
  #21  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
iTrader: (7)
 
garage alpha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 550
Received 197 Likes on 120 Posts
Welcome! Big fan!
Old 01-16-19, 11:57 AM
  #22  
Form > Function

iTrader: (107)
 
MattGold's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Metro Detroit
Posts: 1,645
Received 198 Likes on 100 Posts
Originally Posted by silverTRD
How is figment on the RE A style column pod? I have the Petit and it isn’t great.
It's really, really good fitment. The metal locating pins are awesome and can't imagine what improvements could have been made.

10/10
Old 01-16-19, 01:07 PM
  #23  
Full Member
 
97fd3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: London
Posts: 97
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Club discount?
Old 01-16-19, 03:11 PM
  #24  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (8)
 
dguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: sb
Posts: 1,470
Received 209 Likes on 157 Posts
Originally Posted by 97fd3s
Club discount?

Haha, look at his prices, they're already more than fair. Pay the man for his efforts.

You'll definitely be hearing from me when I get closer to the interior of my FD as well as potentially some bits I've been curious about for an MG project I'm working on.
Old 01-19-19, 03:16 AM
  #25  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Draklore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Maine
Posts: 58
Received 18 Likes on 13 Posts









Quick Reply: DRAKES Product development thread



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:25 PM.