Detroit Speed announces Driver 1
 

Detroit Speed and Engineering introduces their new Driver One Front Drive System:

https://lateral-g.net/temp/DSE_driver1PR.jpg

Check on there website

CNC MACHINE FINISH
NON A/C $2800.00
A/C $3499.00

POLISHED FINISH
NON A/C $3320.00
A/C $4320.00

BLACK HARDCOAT FINISH
NON A/C $2950.00
A/C $3649.00

Are these hand carved out of aluminum chunks by specially bred clones of Leonardo Davinci?

Dahhmmm, Are you serious? Almost 4.5 grand for polished? Thats more than a lot of people paid for an LS series engine. Looks nice, but I wont be getting one.

:wow: As mention in earlier threads "subframe from Detroit" and everyone got there panties in a bunch over it I have said before What are they thinking! now Grant it they make a great product no disputing but come the hell on, There frames and of dont forget comes with brakes, where 6K now this the first person spending that much on a pulley set up needs there head checked! WOW and im not a detroit hater but but come on people plzzzzzzz

I have been wondering when they were going to release this, I saw it on display at there open house two years ago.

too rich for me, but no doubt its nice stuff, :thumbsup:

I don't think the price is that bad. Considering it has about $1000 alone in top quality accessory components (Sanden compressor, Power Master alternator, Stewart water pump, GM power steering pump). Then the cost of CNC machining all those bracket. Most likely done in the states, rather than having it machined overseas. Also take into account that the price of aluminum has skyrocketed in the last year. Finally from looking at the pics it looks to be well layed out. Accessory packaging is much more difficult than just slapping some components on and running a belt. OEM manufacturers have dedicated engineers who only work on accessory drive systems. There is a lot involved in making sure that all components get the proper amount of belt contact, belt tension etc. Not only are you paying for the cost of raw materials and components, you are paying for the R&D that enables DSE to keep making all these cool products.

I agree that it it top quality. All of DSE's stuff is. But the ls series of engines has one of the best serpentine drives already. As long as you have clearance for the pullys it is not as important to upgrade the drive as it was with the older gen small blocks. Just look at penny's drive. Also another top name brand for a cerpentine drive's is Billet Specialties. The Tru Trac drive they make for the ls series is $2494 at Jegs pollished and with AC. I think it looks better to. And is nearly $2000 cheaper. Made in USA with similar costs to build as DSE
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...0002_761745_-1
Or better yet the one that ATS offers. I think it looks purely awesome, has the same accesories, and is $650 cheaper than DSE's hardcoat version.
https://secure15.nexternal.com/share...unt2=735679268
I am not trying to bad mouth DSE. I have purchased lots of products from them and am very happy with them. I just think the price is pretty far out there.

I was looking into those Stewart water pumps a while ago and they are around $700 that defiantly drives up the price of this setup.

In fairness the kit is more than just the pullies. I think it comes with stuff like the Alternator, compressor, water pump and I paid over $400 for my ATI dampner.

I imagine the pricing is in line with something like a vintage air front runner system.

I definitely can't afford it (can't afford any of the other systems listed either :( ), but IMO the price doesn't seem out of line with the others for what it is.

David

i have my name on the list . cant wait .
rick k:D

Steve

The Front Runner system I have was 2200.00 including the Sanden compressor.

Case closed!!! personaly i like the billet specialties peice way better. Still too expensive, I agree like others penny built a great looking system aswell as other cool little items that where enginered not just bought with an open check book. Some of you youngster need to take a lesson on old school hot rod and fabricating and make a unique car with unique parts. Dont get it turned around here hats off to Detroit for making the peices and i applauded them for it, but guys get real :lol: its not like there inventing the wheel nothing they have done is new just reworked and improved in certain ways in my opion not justified for the price.

Although the Billet Specialties set-up loks nice, it still does not alliveiate the A/C compressor clearance problem on the lower passenger side. The ATI and DSE set up does address this issue. They are both slick and nice pieces. You just have to decide $$ wize which is the best for you. Maybe Mark will enlighten us on the bracket he made to add the necessary clearance on a factory set up as described in his LS-7 install article in Hot Rod and here on Lateral-G.

Same arguement could be made for Snap-on tool boxes, too. :lol:

Amen to that :lol: tThats a perfect example lol

If you want the best, you're going to pay for it. DS&E makes the finest parts in the business hands down. I wish I had the financial means to have all these sexy parts, I really do. But I don't. The serpentine drive on my LS1 will do just fine.

but the difference is that in the Snap-on guy will sell you a tool box and let you make weekly payments on it! with no interest..... Maybe Kyle can drive around, cash paychecks on Friday and collect 75 bucks a week until it is paid for...

On another note, having done some automation work for Stanley Mechanics tools (the parent company of Mac) at a Mac tool box factory, the workmanship and quality of componets used is second to none.

Darren

Well, would have to say that the workmanship and quality of componets is second to none on DSE components as well.

No doubt that the quality is A-1. I'm guessing that DSE market is the higher end, "i want a SEMA show quality ride" crowd.

This doesnt take away from the quality work they perform, it just wont ever be practical for the average consumer, and i think DSE knows this.

It always seems funny when people say "great parts but not cheap" duh. "Great quality but little pricey", duh. Could be worse the parts could be crappy and be pricey.

DSE makes and designs great parts as do other companies and thankfully they do or we all would be driving crappy old cars.

In all fairness to defend these guys, they're in the same niche we are. We make our products to the highest quality possible, and market it to a section of people that want the best and most exclusive parts. And DSE does the same. Those peices are obviously of extreme quality and something someone would use in a show car, not your standard bolt on. There are plenty of people bashing us for our hinges, and that's ok. Theres alot of money in just the metal for that kit they have there, that's without the labor and machining. And I don't say this because they sell our Camaro hinges, when I came on board with the Rings last year it BLEW my mind how much some of those machines cost. It's more than alot of us can even imagine!

:hail: Expensive Machines

The cost of equipment, staffing, enginering, creative ideas, safe quality parts, operating expenses, testing, adds up. My hats off to DSE, Troy, Ring Bro's., ATS, Morrison, and other companies that make it possible for us to enjoy our dream cars. And for me it allowed me to meet people with the same intrests that I would have never met and now consider them my closest friends.

Also a biggie for me if you use one of these guys they are stand up guys that will answer the phone and help you out for FREE.

My buddies thought I was nuts buying the ATS spindels for what they cost. But I know Tyler and his reputation. I knew I was getting the best spindels on the market. No brainer there.