End of the Line for FE Power Cast Aluminum Products

[AlanCasida]

Probably the business, but not the forum.  I will be 68 next week, and I don't think I want to continue making FE products for everybody after I turn 70.  On the forum, it is costing me about $500 per year to keep it up and running, and free from scammers.  Right now I expense that cost to FE Power.  Probably when I close down FE Power I will solicit donations from the forum members to keep it operating, so hopefully it will be up and running for years to come.

Sorry to hear this, Jay. On the bright side, maybe we'll see you back in a Drag-n-Drive event again?   

[Dr Mabuse]

It would be great if Pond, or someone with experience and access to quality foundries, stepped up to keep producing these parts, especially the adapters and heads.

Yes to Pond!???

[cjshaker]

Just like Pro Stock Engineering, a few years making great FE stuff, then gone. Sorry for the analogy, I'm only speaking from a parts producing standpoint.

I'd say there are two major differences- quality and good engineering of the parts, and the fact that Jay is not a total dickhead and bullshit artist like "ProStock Paul" 

That's why I added the caveat. If I wanted to offend, I would have compared to Dove.

PSE made some great and innovative stuff, even if the guy was a jerk. Nothing was perfect in the FE aftermarket world then, but his adapters were an excellent idea that opened up lots of new alternatives, at time when there was almost nothing but factory options. They were innovative enough that Jay took the concept and raised it to a whole 'nother level.

I'm glad to hear the forum will continue. There's loads of valuable data and experience stored in past posts. It'd be a shame to see that go away for future FE guys.

[Dumpling]

Would you consider casting a special request for your last batch?

I like your efi crossram, but would like to use it with a set of "regular" FE heads, Edelbrocks or TFS. Would that be possible?

[jayb]

Unfortunately not possible, the intake tooling is not wide enough to cast a complete FE intake.  I've thought about doing one to fit on13001 ntake adapter (which would be possible), but have never gotten around to designing the part.  That's about a 4 week job if I hit it real hard, so no way I can make that work by the deadline.

[Urgefor]

This is the type of thing that makes baby kittens cry.  :'(

Do you have anything "in stock" at all.  Smaller things like timing covers, etc. or is it everything (cast items) that needs to have an order by the 24th?

Nevermind.  I just read the post in the Vendor Classifieds. 

[GerryP]

How unfortunate.  Providence would be for you to open your own foundry for your and other small businesses.  But I understand the age issue and the competing maturation issues in taking on such a bold adventure.

[6667fan]

Sorry to hear this Jay. Not just for your current line of cast products but for the diminished likelihood of seeing what you might have come up with next!

[Lg57]

Does this mean the Calliope project will stop also?

[jayb]

The Calliope project is not really mine, I'm just doing some of the machine work.  That one should continue, Dan is a lot younger than I am LOL!

[galaxiex]

Is the Edelbrock foundry an option?

I understand they do small runs for some clients.

[jayb]

They are the first foundry I contacted back in 2011, about doing my intake adapters.  I asked for an NDA, because I didn't want them to steal the idea.  The foundry guy turfed it to some business guy, who talked and talked and never signed the one I offered, or offered me his own.  Left a pretty bad taste in my mouth, so I won't go back there.  They are too far away anyway...

[Urgefor]

I take it 3D printing is not a viable option for making the parts?  I'm aware that some very intricate parts like the one in this video can be made, but I have no knowledge of the costs involved.

[Dumpling]

Not clear about foundry costs, but I think this printer is around $40K upfront, but can obviously be used over and over...
.
https://all3dp.com/4/bigreps-new-one-5x-makes-big-parts-faster-easier-plus-introduces-pellet-extrusion/

[galaxiex]

Not clear about foundry costs, but I think this printer is around $40K upfront, but can obviously be used over and over...
.
https://all3dp.com/4/bigreps-new-one-5x-makes-big-parts-faster-easier-plus-introduces-pellet-extrusion/

That prints in PLA and PEEK which are plastics.

Not suitable for things like intake manifolds and such...