Weiand Street Warrior Update
Here is the latest:

First of all, on behalf of Holley / Weiand, I would like to apologize to the members of this forum and the LS community for the continued delays on the Weiand Street Warrior LS intake. When we showed the LS prototypes at SEMA in 2007, we were assured that we would be shipping product in the springtime. Unfortunately, due to significantly longer tooling and development time than ever expected, here we are in October without intakes. The program continues to move forward and we are getting closer every day to releasing production. The latest according to our partner, Starr Products:

1. The tool is complete and initial test shots are being made in it daily.
2. Starr is still working out some issues with the injection molding equipment that has been out of their hands but feel the problem has been identified now and they are in the process of fixing it.
3. Early samples are looking good but still have some minor issues in visible areas that must be corrected prior to releasing the intakes for production.
4. Once production representative pieces are run, Weiand will validate the performance, fit and function of the producion parts to ensure your satisfaction and ensure quality.
5. At that time, we will commence production and begin shipping.

So when will they be available? Soon. I expect to be shipping prior to year end, but cannot guarantee that at this point. I would like to give you a more definitive answer, but at this point, we still have to work through these details. Rest assured that Starr and Holley are doing everything possible to get these intakes to market. I am sure you can appreciate how difficult it is to make a 1 peice intake manifold with this level of technology.

In closing, I would just like to thank you for your support. The interest in these manifolds has been staggering and your excitement makes the investment in time and money worthwhile.

Shane Weckerly
Director of Product Management at Holley Performance Products

 

Yeah I'd read that earlier over on LS1 Tech in one of the long Weiand Street Warrior threads.

 

It bugs me that manufacturers are so quick to jump the gun anymore and go hollering to the world what they're putting together for the masses. It seems as if somebody in the building sketches an idea on a napkin, and two days later the plans are on CorvetteForum, LS1Tech, and the rest.

"We've got Super Part X, everybody get in line, its gonna be great!"... A year or two later, they're still figuring it all out.

I just wish these folks would ask questions, note opinions, and then take what they learn, go the hell away for long enough to work out all the production, tooling, and outsourcing logistics, and come back to us when they're actually ready to sell us a production part. It just gets annoying having the anticipation built up, and then having to wait... and wait.... and wait.... and so forth.

 

all i got to say is F- this company...they are morons to market a product with zero idea of when it will come to market...can you imagine how poor the customer service will be WHEN there is a problem...FAST is proven, available and the best there is, period.

 

In their defense, you have to start promoting the product 3 to 4 months in advance because of publication lead times and other issues. In today's world, you need to demonstrate to management that you can get a return on the tooling cost in a short period of time. Sometimes, that requires a high risk launch date.

 

3-4 months, ok not 16-18 months...

 

Mast Motorsports test of the Weiand Manifold helped the LS2 everywhere in the operating range. Especially significant in the mid range where as much as 30 ft lbs of torque were gained. Peak power gain increased approx 14-15 HP. This test was obviously made with something other than a production model. It will be interesting to see if a production model of the Weiand Street Warrior will render the same gains as the model tested by Mast Mororsports. How will the Street Warrior compare to the FAST? Looks like we are still months away from an answer to this question.

 

Here is the test ran on the LS3, not so impressive. Power really falling off by 6200, more than the stock manifold.

 

Saw that too, from what I've seen from the FAST intake there is no drop anywhere in the power band. I'd still go with the FAST at this point.

 

Anything can happen in business, and you try to be understanding, but when the rep at SEMA tells you that you can start selling these to your customers and they will be available in a few short months, when in reality they know that can't possibly happen....well....that's just plain wrong.

 

NICE INFO but isn't this the same thing they've been saying for a year and a half?

 

I saw this manifold on display this past weekend at lsx shootout and it looks really nice. They said it should be released at the beginning of the year

 

well, since the Olympics ended, production has been slow in returning to normal.....

 

I'm pretty sure they are talking about LS3's.

 

The LS2 isnt out yet is it?

 

Thank you for the update...... I am waiting as quickly as I can please keep us informed!

 

No it, neither the LS2 nor the LS3 version is actually out yet but somehow that Mast Motorsports got some pre-production examples to test.

 

I dont have much faith in Weiand after thier other LS manifold that lost power for the guys that bought it. Its the ricer chrome one that is made of metal and heats the incomming air.

The FAST manifold was plagued with so many problems when it first came out but surprisingly few remember. The biggest issue was that the three peices didnt fit together. People were reporting warped parts that didnt seal and leaks were reported all the time. One FI guy tried it and lost 30rwhp and immediately wanted his moneyt back from that tuner. I recently inquired with some of my customers why they dont seem to think the reseal i do is important (some actually asked how much it would be for the other services and not have me reseal it). The unit had so often leaked that it was a complaint by the FAST haters long ago and ranked second in complaints only to the fact that its a LS1 replacement and required the cutting of the firewall to get it to fit the C6.

Next was the install instructions where FAST employees were telling phone in users to over TQ it since it tends to warp and never seals right. I was told this on the phone then came up with an o-ringing proceedure where I put the manifold together with the same RTV they use but i use washers to keep the parts about 1/16 of an inch apart with washers between the top and bottom covers. When the RTV is then cured, I remove the washers and the gasket that was formed with the RTV acts as an o-ring and seals perfectly. I used to test the units I prepped by taping closed every opening with duct tape and trying to pressurize the manifold from the brake booster hose. I could tell if it sealed it the air failed to let the tape relax. I never again had a leak and then seal all of them this way for all the ones I prep.

Lastly the thing only manages 12rwhp in bone stock form and slightly more under the curve unless its ported. Since the heads will vary from install to install, there is no single porting that will work on all heads. Afr's for example have really wide port runners and the FAST port matching would be too wide for the stock head. The rear of the unit still needs to be cut to fit the C6 without the firewall being cut.

What does all of this have to do with Weiand? Well even when they come out with it, the thing is matched only to the stock heads so porting will be needed, but the bugs of the design will take months to work out if not longer since all new products go through a seasoning period before they prove themselves. So even if it comes out in 6 months, you would be ill-guided to be first in line. It may take some time before it stops the bashing it will get from those with any type of issue. Then of course there is the porting honeymoon time when porters will try a few out to see what works and what doesnt. Too bad for the guy that gets the 'doesnt'.

 

Sounds like a port job on a stock one is the way to go based upon all the issues above.

Thanks!

 

One might think so, but like others, I found NO Elapsed Time performance gain with a ported stock intake. This was with no cam. Waste of money, IMO