The last appreciable update is still the current status:

http://www.k20a.org/forum/showpost.p...4&postcount=18

However, it is with great consternation and regret that we will be closing the doors of IPS to the public. I will begin liquidation of any assets so that refunds may be issued and we may relieve the burden which is heavily resting upon our shoulders. I cannot give a date by when this will be completed.

I have just replied to an email from a father of one of our own upstanding community members here on K20A.org who demanded a refund. After doing so, I finally realized the futility in remaining operational despite being in the red month after month.


This is a paraphrased version of the email reply I'm referring to:

Those who are a part of the manifold’s product development cycle (pre-production orders) have been in the loop with any and all appreciable updates concerning its progress through means of public posts on K20A.org. I've had phone conversations with some of you as well as exchanged emails and/or pm’s here on K20A.org. For those who've requested refunds - bottom line is that if there were any monies available to refund, I would wholeheartedly attempt if it were economically feasible. Fact of the matter is that the total amount collected was not sufficient to cover tooling and R&D. We know that much time has passed and have missed anticipated delivery dates which have not been possible to keep due to a few critical reasons:



1. Tooling revision
2. 2nd Article testing and verification for supported platforms (revised manifold samples in manual production as of 10/11/2006)
3. Production capital – manufacturing cost has exceeded initial estimate
4. Foundry logistics


I closed the above referenced email with this:

We will deliver regardless. The only guarantee we cannot make is an exact delivery date.

With this post, I am now rescinding that last statement because of the decision to begin liquidation of assets in order to process refunds and mark the public end for IPS. For those concerned with engine builds and cam/valvetrain purchases, this decision will not affect existing open orders - they will be fulfilled.


From a business perspective, IPS is not making any money to sustain continued growth or existence. So what's to stop us from closing the doors. Passion, that was it. I'm an enthusiast and made my decisions as such. If I were truly business minded, the towel should've been thrown in a long time ago. This father's email was the straw that broke the camel's back. I am completely overwhelmed and cannot function with the stress I've chosen to endure. For this, I apologize. I am sorry that I have let everyone down, but moreso - myself.

Some may recall that my original intent for the manifold was to release and bring to market on our own terms and time schedule but the people wanted it done faster. I gave the terms and projections based upon information available to me at that point in time and allowed fellow enthusiasts to help and be apart of making it happen sooner. It's probably one of the biggest mistakes I've made to date. In contrast, most are not aware of how IPS was born and they probably don't know about the foundation years in the making prior to having a product ready to go. It's really similar to the manifold product development cycle - it took a lot of time and resources. The primary difference being that we did so in private.

That's it. Email communication is welcomed, but please do not use this thread to bash my decision.

-Ron