Yes, we know. This process was really long. This process was incredibly expensive, complicated, and maybe unnecessarily complex but my goodness is it awesome. This is how Steph Papadakis Racing went about conceiving, designing, engineering, and having produced an Inconel header for this all conquering 1,000+ horsepower Toyota Supra. The header is literally printed in pieces out of Inconel, which was something we didn’t even know was possible. It’s a really incredible thing. From scanning the engine bay, the engine, and the space needed to fit this header/turbo combo, to designing the flange that’s unique in its execution, and then the final fabrication of the finished product, it’s a really amazing testament to the technology available in 2022.
Now, there are drawbacks here. The price of this process had to have been astronomical. From the time and use of the Faro Arm to scan the car, the hours and hours working with an engineer on SolidWorks design software, ultimately employing an amazingly advanced piece of machinery to print the pieces, and then finish welding the whole product. This is not an efficient process for mass production but wow is it great to see smart people employing their knowledge on hot rod parts.
Enjoy this process and stick around for the ending. There’s still something to be said for the ways that have been developed over the decades.
