Is it ok to copy a W5 head and make it better or are we just mad at Speedmaster

33IMP said
I'll give an unsolicited example.
Nine inch Ford rearend. How many people sell nine inch Ford rears, without a single Ford part in it? SOMEBODY sure copied a Ford part so they could sell some.
Currie, Randy's, strange, Dr Diff, etc, sell a new aluminum center with new gears and a posi/spool for $13-1500. Lots of money, don't wanna spend that......
So, I bought a new aluminum 9" center with a spool, and my choice of gear, custom assembled for me, from speedmaster.

For $600. Very nice quality part,, heavy casting with a speedmaster logo on the thru-bolt case, billet steel caps. Free shipping in a nice re-usable box, held together with 20 screws, inside another box with packing and "heavy" marking on the outside, delivered by FedEx without a mark.
Yeah, I HATE speedmaster for copying stuff.
If the case had said "Currie" on it, there might have been a problem..... but it wouldn't have been me bitching.

How much R&D do You think is involved in simply beefing-up &/or lightening w/Aluminum an already strong unit, vs developing intake manifolds, cylinder heads, & cams to go with them?? When's the last time Ford produced the 9" rear in a car or truck?
When somebody like Eddy develops a product unlike the OE parts they replace, and are producing a quality, performing part.....they have a bunch of $$$$$$ sunk into them. While they are recovering the investment, some tool bag ships one to the Chinkaboos, and a week later with no R&D investment & practically slave labor are pumping out thousands & dumping them here.
Then when Eddy is forced to try & compete with dirt-cheap copies stolen from them, everybody cries & whines that the quality sucks now, gee.....no kiddin'.