Who has some miles on the new UpTOP Snorkel?

After some consideration...

 

Hey Guys,

We are still working with several upTAKE owners, both Super Charges and Naturally Aspirated in order to collect, record and apply more real world and dyno data. We have some data currently that is not consistent from one vehicle to another. Once we are able to achieve consistent numbers we will be sure to let you know. And in the event that an in field fix may be required, upTOP will cover incurred costs if applicable.

 

Why was there not more testing prior to release? Seems like a bad way to do business that we all have to go out and beta test a design that is flawed. It's simple if the data and testing were done prior to release you would be able to post it or provide it. Wether that be dyno or flow simulation the "engineer" should be easily able to provide this. These flow testings are basic tests someone can with any real CAD software. For comparison Safari has a video that shows them testing their product that is much cheaper than yours. A theory that keeps running through my mind is since the plate is breaking the airtight seal and altering the tensile strength there might be a problem in the basic overall design. At this point, it's disconnected and the color match at least looks really good.

- Sincerely a mechanical engineer that has been in management for too long and doesn't want to do the testing himself.

 

They are greedy, plain and simple. I've never liked this company from day 1. Always thought their products were just stupidly overpriced. A thousand fucking dollars for a plastic snorkel? I MIGHT spend that much on a metal one, kind of like what MESO has on his truck, but no way am I spending that much on a piece of plastic.

 

Their budget offerings are right in line with the market. Their premium products carry a premium price. They don't have a huge supply line. They priced it where they thought they'd still be able to sell all of them. I think you're being a little unfair to the company as a whole. Their metal fab stuff is very high quality. You get what you pay for. Just because that's not the case with 1 product doesn't mean the whole company is trash.

Also the fact that they are looking into fixing this retroactively for customers instead of just letting it sit speaks volumes about their integrity. Mistakes happen, how they are fixed defines your character. We need to wait and see how they handle this before casting judgment.

 

You think I'm crazy because I think $1k for a plastic snorkel is overpriced? The irony here is hilarious

 

I think you're slightly crazy for hating on a company since day 1 because of over pricing and then I think you're nuts for being so disrespectful when you are in the same thread as the fabricator who is here actively trying to come to a solution. Have some class.

 

Has anyone tried this skewp conversion to make it functional? I just found it. Cheap and makes sense. Not sure who the company, Volant, is, but at the price of $139, it may be worth a try.

 

They don't even have someone qualified to diagnosis the problem... so how can they find a solution?

It is a pretty good looking design though, just no actual functionality.

Just to clarify my issue is with the snorkel. I do not own their racks so I can't speak on them.

 

In my opinion we should give them time to look at the issue and attempt to solve it. If they can't do it in house, common sense would dictate they get the help they need from outside Uptop. Y'all rage if you want. I think its a bit heavy.

 

Didn't they run it for a few years prior to release? I'm just saying there is no accountability for the lack of actual engineering. All we want is the results from the testing they had done prior to the release. I'm not over here asking for too much, because this is something they should already have that could easily be released. Instead it keeps being brushed off with an answer that they are working on it. I'm not saying grab the pitch forks but I am saying I spent a $1000 on cool looking ornament that is attached to my quarter panel.

At minimum they should not continue to sell them until they have solved the problems because as of now they are just scamming everyone a $1000. But that that is just my two cents.

 

Fair enough. It looked like pitchforks. I agree the data should be released soon and they should stop selling or at least post a notice on site. Valid points.

I'm just saying a little more patience might go a long way. The shop has been great right up to this point. I will be giving them the benefit of the doubt. I hope we all get a solution!

 

The cost isn't the issue because things have been trending up for several years. Being cheap doesn't factor into the complaint department. You're paying for the R&D of the design at the very least (maybe not the data at this point). lol. I have my own work arounds for right now so I honestly don't care about what could've been. Seriously....woulda, coulda, shoulda, so I'm more concerned about what the company response is at this point. But, you do you.....

 

I agree the cost is hugely in the R&D that's where my frustration comes from with this whole situation. Except nobody seems to want to address the mounting locations breaking free from the cheap plastic used in manufacturing.

Are you will to share the data you got from you runs on the dyno now? We want to see the truth.

 

You can't handle the truth! (sorry...had to go there Marine!). My dyno run showed a lot less power than I was expecting (it was like 155 hp/238 torque/4-5 boost). I took the tube out (inside the fender) on a 2nd run to see if there was a difference and I went back to full boost and hp (291 hp/267 torque/8 boost), same with the run with my modification I made to the snorkel and such. This is still less than what Magnuson listed, but that could be due to the dyno itself being new according to the tech. I only ran it once with the snorkel, yotawerx tune (lock in gear). This was my experience. Sent the info forward and awaiting what others get. Just like sk has said....I have an ornamental piece as of now, but also have faith that these guys will come back with a solution. honestly, I have more important things going on, so I am being optimistic in this matter.

 

I had the same issue and contacted them today.

 

That 4-5 psi of boost wasn’t sustained right? I think it’s very unlikely to have 4-5 psi of sustained boost and only make 155hp which is way less than an NA motor. I’m guessing 4-5 psi right at WOT and it probably quickly dropped to 0 psi or vacuum. Did you happen to take a video of the boost gauge during that run?

 

Does snorkel allow me to cross river?

 

Right, I think it was just a quick top end and dropped. I didn't take video of the gauges because I thought it might be more important at the time to see if I could catch the intake portion sucking in air....