Brian,
First I would like to say thank you for making 2 good and very informative posts.
As far as undercutting and coping other pipes, thats not the situation. I dont want to name any companies, but I recently saw someones new integral 3" DP that was part of a kit before they installed it on thier truck, and my first reactions was, "WTF is this POS". Now I can say anything about performance, having not owned or driven a truck with one, but the overall look/welds/cuts of the pipe were pitiful. Also, from what my friend who with me at the said, the puck itself (i think the material used?) was not all that great.
As some of you may know, I recently purchased a turbo (only) from this same company so naturally I called them first to get a price on the matching downpipe. Upon hearing the $700+ price of this POS pipe, my jaw nearly hit the floor, FOR THIS is the reason why I investigated having a custom pipe made. I KNOW for a fact the quality of this pipe will go far beyond what I have seen.
We all know the SyTy community is not a huge endless supply of business in any way, shape or form. We are limited to the few though trucks that were built, the couple thousand people who actually know what they are driving, and the few hundred who want to go all out with big performance upgrades.
I have mentioned all these points to Mease and made sure he understands them. He said he does, he's not looking to make a big name for himself over here, he just wants to offer a good product to those who want it.
Now I only know so much about what happened on the Buick GP, but I personally will not allow that shit to go on here. I dont know how, but it wont happen.
As far as why Mease is doing the "common" pipe first, is because I need one, and this is the only chance he is going to have my truck as a jig till he makes his own. Once these pipes are fully complete/working prototypes, then other pipes should not be a problem.
If the community wants a 3 bolt Mitsu style 3" downpipe, either external or integral, im sure that can be accomplished with ease.
As far as headers go, that too has already been discussed. Once this first project leaves the ground and is rolling, they might become reality also.
Like I said, me feeling isnt to bring another vendor into a place to undercut anyone else or steal business, but I feel this product will be better than whats current or at least what I have seen (I have not seen a Mike Lee pipe, so forgive me Mike, not trying to discredit you).
Once this pipe gets going, "new" products are sure to follow.
Thank you for your time.