Have you talked to any manufacturers yet? A one-off, one piece Aluminum CNC part like that is going to be extremely costly to cut; if they are even willing to attempt it. Subtractive manufacturing is an entire different game than additive manufacturing.
If you were to simplify the design with minimal curves and minimal planes, the price will come down substantially.Yes I gotten three quotes, one was $580, another was $1200 and one over seas was $200. Not sure which way im going. I have ordered from xometry before that was the $580 what was crazy anything after one was like $200 more. Guess I have no option if I want something custom that can be bought off the shelf.
Eliminate excessive multi-axis curves and use minimal planes. Do you understand how a CNC process works? The less bit changes and axis planes required from the machine will lower the cost.
Basic subtractive manufacturing uses an x,y and depth (z) plane for each tooling cut. The less planes and tooling required to make the part, the cheaper. There are more expensive machines that can go beyond that, but they will ensure you're making part of their monthly machine payment for those parts.
What is it about the original housing that doesnt work?
Im pretty sure they do cnc as well. Its out of China and I use the cheapest shipping option. Takes a few weeks to get it.Will give them a try I was weird about 3d metal printing. Not sure if it would hold up to coolant, temperature and water tightness.
Is there any way you could just have the factory neck machined for the fittings and welded? That might be easier/cheaper in the long run.
Assuming that's still an LSJ thermostat housing, I believe the cover you circled in red is where the block heater would go in Saab applications, and the threaded plug is where the turbo coolant feed would connect.
I believe L61/LAP/LE5/LNF thermostat housings put the coolant temp sensor in the thermostat housing, and the LNF also has a turbo coolant port on the thermostat housing.