Here's the deal. A couple month ago I was searching around for an engine torque damper. Besides Stillen, Weapon-R and the eBay clones, I ran across the Stiffy produced by Ingalls Engineering ( http://www.ingallseng.com/ ). The problem is that they don't have one available for the 350Z yet. The reason is that they haven't had a Z owner volunteer to help with the R&D.

Here's a link to the product page...
http://www.ingallseng.com/parts/stiffy.htm

I talked to Rob Stamm (800-641-9795, ext 23) today and found out that they're still not ready to sell one for the Z for lack of a test vehicle. That's where you come in. First and foremost, you don't have to turn your car over to them. In fact they won't even need to drive your car. You'll have to make at least three visits there for them to 1) measure for the mounting brackets, 2) install the prototype, 3) checkup, install the production unit. For a description of their testing protocol see this page: http://www.ingallseng.com/test_vehicle_faq.htm

Here's the fine print...
What in it for you - You'll get a free Stiffy out of the deal for your time and trouble. You get the chance to brag to your friends that you helped in the R&D of a Stiffy for the Z

Why don't I volunteer - I don't live in Colorado. You have to be close enough to make a couple trips to their facility.

What's in it for me - Nothing, other than the ability to buy one once they hit the market. In other words, I have no relationship with Ingalls, I get no financial gain from this.

If you're interested or have questions and concerns, either call Rob at the number shown above or email him at robs@ingallseng.com
Send the following information..

Year
Make
Model
Engine
Description of all engine modifications.
Description of all chassis/suspension modifications.
Your location (city in Colorado).
Contact Phone #


Thanks,
Dave

 

he said "stiffy", hahaha. i get a free one everytime i wake up, hahahha. i just couldn't pass up this opportunity!

 

I was one of their first customers (and i was a wholesaler) for their 02 + Civic SI, great product and lvoed it, very noticable difference in wheel hop. Although It was a FWD car

 

Hmmm Might have to check this out.

 

Uh, why would anyone want to pay $340 for this when the Stillen is $130???

 

I think thats the MSRP and not what they sell for. But I did asked the same thing when I had my Evo and the Weapon-R. But feedback on these are awesome and ppl swear by them vs other models/brands.

 

Dave: Rob says thanks! I give him a call and looks like we might be getting my Z up to the shop in the future. I want to say thanks for letting me & Co ppl know about it.

 

The "street" price I've seen on them is in the $150 range.

 

Robert,

Thanks for stepping up to give this a try. I lookk forward to hearing what you have to report about the product and company after you've got it done. Keep us posted.
Dave

 

Not a problem... Will keep you informed.

 

Not too much has happened since I talk to Rob last week. Still waiting for a call from the engineers to set a date to get my car up there.

 

Alright... Got a call about 10 mins ago from Rob. I will be headed up to Ingalls on Friday the 27th for R&D. Looks like this is coming together. I will let you know more when I have more.

 

what i dont understand is.. why brace it in just one place? you should brace it everywhere possible. if you put it like where the stillen one is, you just force the engine to move/tweak in another direction...

 

http://www.ingallseng.com/parts/stiffy.htm <~ Go here for more info

 

so how did it go?

 

He's not going till Friday

 

The damper reduces the amount of motor movement from the natural torque produced by the engine. A hard mount would do the same thing but would not make for a comfortable, quiet or smooth ride.

The engine wants to twist - resisting that woun't make it move forward/backward or up/down.

 

Well we reschedule to Feb 1st. Sorry for the longer wait.

 

Well went up on the 1st. They had my car for about 2 hrs. Said they are interested in doing some control arms and other suspention parts. Looks like they might not do the Torque Damper. Say it would be pointless to have. I'll keep those interested informed.

 

I'd be interested to know why they said an engine damper would be pointless...