I would be willing to bet neither would give problems all things except the gold plating being equal. Fbb already has gold and I think he is a quarter the way there.
I miss Brian he even picked me apart but his humor (I think) was funny as hell and I laugh every time I read his quote you have. In there defence they probably get tired or our stupid responses or ideas.
Sorry FBB, I believe it was you who questioned the professional mechanics with regard to cleaning you ECU connector and made an issue about it. What is that expression, there you go again... Glad you have a great car, the fastest F355 in the world probably. Point is, it's not an issue I am concerned with. I'm not worried about who's package is bigger. All I ask is my car start on the first try, cold or hot, and runs well enough to enjoy it. It doesn't bog down. Throttle response is quick and crisp. Never a slow down light or CEL on my watch so far. I'm happy. If you have other priorities, so be it. If your happy with your car that's what matters. Now as far as the gold on tin issue I think to anyone with an open mind the point is understood. For those who don't understand it (and actually I believe even people like yourself and FBB, and other supporters DO get it too, but won't want to admit it), here is one last shot: Gold on tin is like smoking cigarettes, It might give you cancer, it might not. But do you want to take the chance? What's a gold kit cost? I haven't seen that posted anywhere. What is the potential cost if all the tin pins on sensor corrode and the sensors need to be replace? CTS = $20 no big deal. Crank position sensor = $150 to $220 (x2 on a 2.7), fuel injectors = $690 each from Ricambi, MAP = $898 for a 5.2, $1400 x 2 for a 2.7 from Ricambi. And let me point out one other contradiction which was posted some time ago when the BMW CTS issue was brought up. It was questions why BMW only recommended replacing the CTS with one with gold pins to match the connector and not bothered to replace the connector. By the same token, if it is corrosion that is the problem (see FBB's ECU connector pictures)with the tin connectors why is it that for all those components (CTS, TDCS, MAP, injectors, ECU, etc) it's ok just to replace the contacts in the connectors and use the old sensors with corroded pins? Is it just me or do others see this constant stream of BS that lays down one contradiction after another. And now we have Gerry with the worlds best running 355 and he hasn't even installed the ECU part of the GCK yet. Gees, half of this thread is telling Ketel to wait until the ECU connector is done because that's where the majority of problems are due to connector spread and low clamping force resulting form the repeated dis-reconnect for majors. Where is the credibility around here?
I've not read every post in this thread but I've read most. Maybe it's been said but perhaps the benefits come from new, clean connections and the results have nothing to do with gold. And I know Dave has listed this as "patent pending" and I'm guessing it will never receive a patent since it's not a novel idea (patent term).
Hi Steve, My stepson lives in Salt Lake. I am very familiar with the roads and terrain in your area. But I would say if you want to drive at high speeds do it on a track. Then there will never be a time when you surprise some guy in a minivan coming the other way. Only has to happen once. I have no problems straying from home in any of my cars. I live outside of Hartford CT. I enjoy a drive up I91 to central Vermont and taking a left. It's easy to get carried away with the performance of these car. But it takes experience and maturity to understand the subtleties of how good these cars are for touring. Seriously Steve, and everyone else, I wish you all well and hope you continue to enjoy your cars. Just because we may disagree on the GCK doesn't mean we don't share the same passion for these cars, even if we use them differently. I mean that sincerely to everyone on both side of this issue, even FBB!
I did a patent search and could find anything under "Dave" or "David" Helms. Anyone know the application number? I'd love to read that app.
I did that many pages back and his attorney posted that the applications are not public which is an option. But, I also know the "patent pending" status has been on Dave's site for years so he should have had his applications examined by now. My guess is that he has stopped investing in the process since even if awarded a patent, it's likely not commercially worth it. Without reading the claims, I don't know what he is trying to patent but I do know gold plating on connectors by itself will not result in a patent. None of this changes my respect for Dave and his knowledge.
With regard to contacts, electronics and material in general (which is the issue here) I have a masters degree in Mechanical engineering from Penn State, 1973. Worked as a contractor in defense electronics/semiconductor physics for 20 years at the company I cofounded. Retired in 1997.
Thank you for answering John, tf308 mind stepping up to the plate? I think I will still take Dave's advice on how to maintain my Ferrari, but you have excellent credentials in electronics/semiconductors.
Yep, I make know bones about it. Dave certainly knows more about the mechanical side of things Ferrari than I. I don't know how that translated to transport of electrons across material boundaries though. And that is the issue we have been discussing sans all the diversions.
Pro gck or against gck, you gotta admit, dave is a marketing genius. His “shucks fellas, I just want to make the Ferrari world a better place” marketing attitude is so effective, he’s got people rabidly defending his ideas even though they run counter all scientific and common sense. Hell, coca cola could learn a thing or two from this. A while back, he claimed that his group of people working with him on this were so well known, they you “make your jaw drop”. How about naming some of those guys there? Isn’t anyone here curious at all who these guys are? How about some amazon links to the “dry connection theory” literature you were talking about? Let’s lay out one basic FACT here: 1. Dissimilar metals corrode. This is undisputed and if you’re not able to understand or comprehend this; please do not read further. One way to mitigate this corrosion is to put in a sacrificial anode. There’s a reason why there are anodes in everything from your $500 water tanks to the multi-billion dollar air carrier and submarines. Of course with electrical connections, you can’t use an anode so you must use the same metal. If you understand this one basic fact, then there are only two possibilities with the GCK. Possiblitiy number 1: That a Ferrari mechanic in Colorado has discovered a process to stop direct contact dissimilar metal corrosion. Corrosion that has existed since the very beginning and that no one on this planet from universities to engineering firms, to the guys designing the billion dollar military machines have been able to overcome without anodes, coatings, insulation, etc. Instead of monetizing this amazing discovery and becoming a millionaire many times over, perhaps hundreds of times over, he’s just going to keep this fantastic discovery to gold connector kits for Ferrari. Possiblitiy number 2: It’s just marketing BS…
Step up to the plate? Why would it matter? You have a very closed mind. Look how you answered JohnK. He might as well stepped out of his computer and bi$CH slapped you....not sure how he could be anymore qualified. And frankly, I am glad there is someone here with those credentials. You don't believe someone with credentials in electronics??? What runs your 355, an SRI nuclear reactor??? I will not play your game. All that matters is this.....I have asked the question .....why Gold? Why Gold? Why Gold? anyone with their 2 cents could answer.....not one person came up with a scientific reason as to why GOLD is better. NOT ONE>NOT ONE>NOT ONE. However, others offered numerous reasons that this is not a good idea....MORE THAN ONE>MORE THAN ONE It doesn't matter if its chemistry, studies by those in connector research, or larger manufactures that admit their faults....you will NOT listen. And before I asked the question, I frankly did not know about these issues. Now I feel educated before I might have spent over $1000 to SRI. Im sorry if this brought out scientific fact that this MAY be a bad idea....albeit....with good intentions.
Make a better one? These are JPT connectors....you can buy them yourself all day long. Tin, gold plated, even silver if you wish. Less than a dollar each. Really....really? I could not look you in the eye and ask for money for this....but I COULD....I just find it unethical. It is common internet knowledge to fix connectors now. I just couldn't understand why no one else in the world was not using gold.....i mean....gold is better , right? That's what they say here....gold, gold, gold. So I called AMP...and they said "HELL NO." That is what brought us here. I also saw that people said the kit was over $1000....and after everything I read, I personally did not see how it was that much. If there is something truly UNIQUE....like a depleted uranium thicker connector specifically designed and engineered by SRI...then well...I guess $1000 might be worth it.
http://www.mouser.com/TE-Connectivity/Automotive-Connectors/Junior-Power-Timer-Series/_/N-1yzs6iiZ1ehb5Z1yzms27 here is a link for various JPTs.... I read that these were originally design for washing machines and there vibrations...
I believe that I respectfully acknowledged Johns qualifications as it relates to electronics and semiconductors, it is impressive. I think John has presented a respectful and compelling case and I am honestly trying to evaluate his points. Why is it that you will not answer a simple question, is it that you have an agenda that you do not wish to share, lacking qualifications or is it simply beneath you to share it with this board. Many of us are honestly trying to evaluate the validity of advice on this board that is given from both sides to be unquestionable. These cars are more complicated than you make them out to be, there currently seem to be no good solutions for the 170787 bearing and no really good solutions for header failure. The work that many of the dealerships did to solve the valve guides problem is now manifesting itself in destroying lifters. Someone please let me know what the best CV Boot solution is so that I can stop replacing these every 5 years as well. If you have answers to any of these issues, there are a lot of people on this board that would love to hear the solutions, we honestly need help on these issues. If these cars are so simple how do the dealers and quality independent mechanics stay in business?
I would tell you the reasons but you are not ready for the answer. You are still stuck at gold on the pins.
If I knew how to beat the stockmarket I would not be telling the world. I would start a financial services company and let my results speak for themselves. You shills go ahead and beat your chests we will be driving great running cars. If you want to prove something then test the pins electrolytically and tell us how many years it will take before we have to clean off the tin oxide with a brush or heaven forbid replace an ECU or open the ECU and replace those pins. Son...we call that BFD!
RMAOL! Oh my.... SRI does have to support the product. Who did the intellectual property on putting his kit together? Geeze just the research to find the right crimp tool was no easy task. Then to build a kit that was user friendly? Have you even seen the whole kit and all the stuff that is in it? How about the facility to house the products? Rent, insurance, liability insurance, staff. Business owners all over Fchat are rolling their eyes right now.
No way! this is great press for SRI. The more these guys bash the product the more "on lookers" are checking out the product. How soon until we reach page 30?
I'm a business owner and I'm not rolling my eyes. I am pretty sure that Dave's not getting rich off this and the price point seems fine to me, it's the technical reasons I'm unsure of. Part of the turn off for me was I asked Dave for some documents on the product and he would not share anything. So for me, I don't buy stuff I don't see...
