The Need for Continued Investment in Our Platform/Hardware is More Apparent Than Ever Before

SID297

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SVTP has been around for over 20 years. A core tenant of this site has always been members sharing information about their various Fast Ford so that other members can learn for those experiences. We’ve always been a fairly self-sufficient crowd, we prefer to turn our own wrenches when possible. That philosophy also extends to the manner in which we host the site. Instead of relying on newer cloud based hosting services, we have maintained our own private servers. We own the hardware.


As you have probably seen, certain large hosting services have made some business decisions that have effected the ability of other websites to continue operating. I don’t care to get into the particulars of the politics here, but suffice to say it’s a bit troubling that a difference of opinion such as this could lead to the loss of livelihood and entertainment for millions of users.


While owning our own hardware provides a level of security against the threat mentioned above, it does come at a cost. It is significantly more expensive to operate and maintain than big-tech cloud based solutions. That’s where you guys come in. Unfortunately, ad revenues have been severely slashed due to Covid. That has left us with a hole in our budget. We want to purchase a couple new servers and perform a massive software upgrade, but cash isn’t flowing in at quite the rate I’d like in order to make that happen.

So how can you help:

  • If you don’t like PP you can send a donation to:
SVTPerformance
PO Box 1010
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29598​
  • Turn off adblocker / whitelist SVTP in your adblocker settings.
  • Post Builds and Tech Information.
  • Invite Like-Minded Enthusiasts to SVTP.
  • Share Content from SVTP Everywhere Else on the Web you have an Account.
This represents more than just some new hardware for a 20 year old forum, it’s an investment in the future of our chosen hobby. If you think the current purge of viewpoints will end at politics, I have a feeling you are sadly mistaken. Ask yourself, how long do you think it will be until someone at one of the major social media platforms turns their attention to performance cars and decides that sharing knowledge on how to make more power with a Ford V8 is an immediate threat to the environment? Do you think they would hesitate to expunge any group that promotes modification or racing of fossil fuel powered vehicles?


That’s why continuing to invest in SVTP is so important to me. Simply put, I love turning wrenches on nearly anything, but Fords are my favorite. I want to see the knowledge that exists now, and will continue to be developed into the future, be freely available to anyone interested for decades to come. If that’s something that’s important to you, please consider showing your support for the site and help us keep SVTP the best place on the internet for enthusiasts of everything Ford Powered.

Update - 1/12/21 - Our goal is to raise $7,500. That would cover all the new hardware and software the site desperately needs while still insuring that we stay completely free and independent.

Update - 1/13/21 - Where we currently stand:

New Server Goal Meter 1-13-21.png
 
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98 Saleen Cobra

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That would suck, I would hate to see this site go away. While most stuff have turned to social media groups like on facebook, this site is so valuable. I can see the way that social media is going that forums will come back into play more personally.
 

SID297

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That would suck, I would hate to see this site go away. While most stuff have turned to social media groups like on facebook, this site is so valuable. I can see the way that social media is going that forums will come back into play more personally.

I've heard more than a few people mentioning that trend.
 

CobraBob

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Single Barrel Sirs
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Well said, Travis. I hope the overall response to the need is enough to cover short-term server update costs, as well as ensure a solid self-sustaining future for SVTP. I've white-listed the site.
 

98 Saleen Cobra

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I've heard more than a few people mentioning that trend.
Yea I can see it happening. I don't post much on social media, my IG account probably has more family stuff than car stuff, Facebook is the same way. BUT I will say that I use FB a lot more for selling parts because it reaches more people with all the groups. I used to solely post FS stuff on here, but the market place died down a lot here.
 

Weather Man

Persistance Is A Bitch
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I've heard more than a few people mentioning that trend.

It, the great deletion on facebook will happen fast and probably in conjunction with EPA regulation adoption. It will be interesting to see if forums make a comeback at that point.
 
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Lambeau

Superfleck Moonbird
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Travis,
I just put a little more money where my mouth is.
Keep on Chooglin'

BTW: I know many of you are like me in that you've woken up in the middle of the night wondering "What in the **** is happening to America?"

Car culture, as we know it, must survive.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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I know I've mentioned it before but I think it would be helpful if people had even a ballpark idea how much cash was needed for the mentioned upgrades or what the annual operating expenses looked like. I mean, everyone's a baller on SVTP, so Im sure some would come off their wallet to make sure the site stays running.
 

Blkkbgt

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The land of commies and socialists!
I know I've mentioned it before but I think it would be helpful if people had even a ballpark idea how much cash was needed for the mentioned upgrades or what the annual operating expenses looked like. I mean, everyone's a baller on SVTP, so Im sure some would come off their wallet to make sure the site stays running.

If it comes down to SID flat out asking for donations instead of offering swag and premium memberships ill flat out donate.
 

RedVenom48

Let's go Brandon!
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Travis,
I just put a little more money where my mouth is.
Keep on Chooglin'

BTW: I know many of you are like me in that you've woken up in the middle of the night wondering "What in the **** is happening to America?"

Car culture, as we know it, must survive.
Without getting too political, the left showed their hand. They want nothing less than unchecked, total and complete control over EVERYTHING in this country, including your personal lives. What's worse is that they blatantly cheated and "our" political side did nothing. Just proved they are in on it too.

Looking back, I think once the dust settles it will be apparent that anti-trust laws are good. We cannot simply give control to one group, tech giant or otherwise and expect them to act fairly, sanely and rationally. Giant corporations never do. They have ZERO regard for the 1st Amendment or the US Constitution. The absolutely intend to abolish it and rewrite it to their satisfaction.

While SVTP is slower than other sites at times, its independence is something I cherrish, even if monthly account verification on my netbook takes forever, lol.

Liberals are pushing for a vision (electric cars) that has a rotting electrical infrastructure and not enough capacity as is. What do they think will happen if in 25 years over half of the country motoring is "electrified". Not to mention all the environmental waste and pollution from wrecked electric cars and battery packs in landfills. But hey, it feels good to get of hydro carbons.

Thinking about finding a presmog Ford station wagon and dropping a 351W in it with an ethanol carburetor as a daily. **edit** nope, scratch that idea. not even a jalopy I'd want to f with in my price range. Lol
 
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Fastback

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I have seen the degrade of a few car forums over the years. Ifsja.org much slower than before. Its the best knowledge base for FSJ. But a side site that is more user friendly has come along. Fsjnetwork, is the other site. both very good. Also, last time I checked mazdaspeedforums down, it was in essence the Svtp for mazdaspeed. Great tech, sweet write ups. All gone.
 

RedVenom48

Let's go Brandon!
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I have seen the degrade of a few car forums over the years. Ifsja.org much slower than before. Its the best knowledge base for FSJ. But a side site that is more user friendly has come along. Fsjnetwork, is the other site. both very good. Also, last time I checked mazdaspeedforums down, it was in essence the Svtp for mazdaspeed. Great tech, sweet write ups. All gone.
Difference is we have a dedicated group of enthusiasts here and a headshed that's got a stake in the site. The number if people passionate about mazdaspeed cars is VASTLY outnumbered compared to Ford performance.

Honestly, the Coyote section here needs a HUGE spotlight. Even with the 2020+ GT500 and GT350, the real star is Coyote powered Mustangs and F150s. We've got legacy products down, but the people have moved to Boosted Coyotes and SVTP needs to capture that.

A loose partnership with VMP and Lethal Performance certainly helps too.
 

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