[flash]

in concept, we certainly don't have a problem with such a part being made, and in fact applaud it - in fairness to our paying sponsors, somebody would need to become a sponsor to use this site as a marketing tool



if and when it comes to fruition, and graduates from querying the masses regarding interest to charging people for the item, whoever is doing this becomes a vendor, regardless of profit, and needs to step up



again, we all think this is great, and if i had the time, i probably would have done this myself - keep up the good work, and we hope to welcome a new vendor soon

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mefforddk]

Flash,



Sorry, this was never an attempt to start soliciting as a new vendor, but an attempt to help out those in need of a part that required fabrication. Since I have access to CNC equipment, then I was willing to help out. However, I understand your comment and point taken. If you can send me the sponsor kit, I'll look it over. Actually since I have never sold anything on this site, I never paid any attention to the the sponsor side of the website.



Is there a list of current sponsors?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

[size="2"]no worries - just trying to be fair - most of the sponsors are small business that spend their advertising dollars very carefully, and we don't want them to think they are getting charged for something that somebody else gets for free



there is a current list - they are on the home page and at the top of the index page[/size]



i keep meaning to post the media kit on the site, but i need to make a couple of edits before i can do that - unfortunately the file isn't here with me - when i get back, i'll bounce it over to you



we certainly don't want to do something that makes it impossible for the much needed part to be made and gotten into the hands of those who need it



further, we also realize that this site has the largest 968 audience, so we want to take whatever steps needed to maintain that and ensure to our sponsors that their interests are looked after



again, this isn't an issue as long as this is in the head scratching phase, so i think we have time to figure something out that works for everybody

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mefforddk]

ok, no issue. I just wanted to make sure that everyone understood that this "just evolved" into a project as discussions progressed. Since 2/3 of my helicoils are stripped out and people seemed to be desparate for the part and I have CNC access, I thought why not build this part for the 968/944 owners. I respect the sponsor issue, it just never occured to me about site sponsorship.



Send me the file once you get a chance.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

all understood and appreciated - don't think for a minute that anybody thinks this is anything but a great idea - good on ya!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

I can understand the concern here; hopefully something can be worked out, because it's inevitable that as these cars age, more and more critical parts that wear out will become NLA, so as long as there are 968 owners and enthusiasts with the capability to step in where Porsche has bowed out, we need to find a way to enable them to help keep these cars running, while being fair to the site sponsors. Hopefully, people in need of these parts will understand the need to pay a little more (but still far less in most cases than what Porsche charges) for the parts to cover the costs not only of the production of the parts, but of the sponsorship so important to keep critical resources like this site running.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[DaveN]

Maybe this is a little presumptuous but maybe an existing sponsor could market his product (purchased at wholesale from mefforddk) and just dropship if it all comes together? I only suggest this because mefforddk is not trying to make a living at this, just a benevolent, one-time developer.

And yes, I'm aware of the implications setting a presisdence which may be opening a can of worms for other Sponsors arguments.

Just my inside voice. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/unsure.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

no worries - i'm quite sure that it won't be difficult for anybody - our sponsorship costs are a fraction of anywhere else - that is because we are essentially a non-profit site - the most expensive level is like $650 a year - we have entry level stuff WAY below that - we use the fees and contributions to pay for the site costs and maintenance, as well as to help fund events we put on - we have been operating at a loss, but we don't want to start charging too much, so we just shoulder the burden - heck, i haven't even hit up the partners for the deficit



back to the item itself - i'm quite sure it's needed, and there are likely to be quite a few more - i have a couple on the drawing board already, and i'm more than happy to see others take the baton - anything to keep these cars on the road

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Byte]

I just need the part... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

My parts are at mefforddk's, in line for reproduction, so hopefully it won't be too long. I'm a bit concerned that while my pieces are pretty much corrosion free, their threads don't appear to be in the best of condition, so I may be in need of a pair myself. I'll have to see if I can clean out the threads when I get mine back.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mefforddk]

I think they are helicoils so "cleaning" them out might make it worse. might be best to re-install another helicoil, not sure. or just use the new parts. My guys have been swamped lately, but they are trying to work the part in the CMM.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Byte]

Any update guys?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[KesslerR]

If you still want to try for a used one, look up www.20thstreetauto.com. I was in their place in Phoenix Arizona a couple of weeks ago and was surprised at the number of 968's and late 944's they had. They said that if I gave them a picture and told them where it was on the car they could quote me a price and ship it to me.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[94SilverCab]

Guys,



Thanks for taking this on. I guess I don't pay much attention to threads about Part # 944......



In the event that someone brings a product to market, we won't get wrapped around the axle on the sponsorship. Not to say there isn't something to discuss, but please don't let "sponsorship" hold you back from bringing something to the community, that's why we're here...



Jay

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[MB968]

Regretably I searched for this part about a month ago with little luck. Only place that had one was Dc, but when I got the part it was already showing signs of mushrooming the bottom right boss (and that boss was already stripped due to corrosion). It as an 05R revision of the part. Its on its way back now for a refund.



Sunset only showed two of these and the PCA cost was $956. Hated to spend it, but didn't seem like I had much of a choice. Glad there is some movement to make these more available.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[friskyboy1]

ok im interested in getting one for my car. It there any update on the progress of making one?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

Deleted post. Hope to have an update on this project soon.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

I've been in contact with Keith (mefforddk), and he's had a lot of personal and business issues recently which have delayed work on the creation of duplicates of the distributor mounts. But he tells me his guy is about a week away from completing the CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) work, which will give him the specs he needs to build a prototype. He didn't give me a timeframe for completing the prototype, but hopefully it won't be more than a few weeks. Then it's a matter of mas-producing the part. He says his company, which he is in the process of selling, could do this, although it won't be under his ownership at that point. I also asked him if he would be OK with soliciting other shops to build it once the prototype is done. I'll keep everybody updated.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

lol - you guys would be in much better contact if you actually responded to the PMs you are sending back and forth, and not the emails telling you that you have a PM.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Byte]

I'm down for one. Just been waiting. Power coated for durability would be a bonus I would pay for.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.