Aspec Tuning=very Bad
07-16-2003, 03:36 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: the windy (cold ) city.
Posts: 588
sorry to knock one of the only rotary shop in this area but here i go.
last september i brought my car to be have then engine fully redone by them and was promised a 2-3 month turnaround time to have all passages ported and a sick engine built. being somewhat new to the rotary community this seemed to be a great thing.
a few months pass and my car has not been completed which did not surprise me. even after the 3 months mark, i had not recieved a call from them telling me my car would take longer. i stop by the shop only to see my car in pieces and was told the person they use to build engines is backed up (i was never told they out sourced their rebuilds).
one day i stop by to see nothing had progressed and my wheels were off of my car, which is somewhat odd for an ENGINE rebuild. I notice my own wheels on one of their shop cars and was told they put them on there to move the shop car sense the other wheels were not ready for it yet. i was not asked if they could do this in the first place.
About the time the car was to be done (february 10th about) i did recieve a call and was told it was 90% complete. The next day i got a call saying i had taken out my ignighter which i have pictures taken before i towed my car to their shop WITH the ignighter in place. I was then charged extra for a used ignightor and the car was delayed about a week.
The day i got the car back it looked as if it had been sh*t upon (have pics proving it) it was just really bad, and the car died half way home in traffic and had to be left behind. I then had to replace the alternator and battery ( when i gave them the car it had NO charging problems). The price of the rebuild shot up by 300 in an hour. i got a call saying the exact cost of the rebuild (about 5500) then when i left to pick up the car they told me they had to "recalculate" and it shot to 5900.
Later after i got the car running allright, i noticed bad oil burnoff which later solved itself as the control rings conformed to the OLD side housing (i was charged for resurfacing or entirely new ones)
I have also had an oil leak the ENTIRE time i've had the car back, which is progressivly getting worse (quart a week on the driveway) which is caused by who knows what.
One day as i was trying to figure out why my car would smoke (reason i frist brought it in) i took out the oil metering lines to do a test on how much oil was being injected and the hollow bolts going into the pump had huge aluminum shavings on them where they had been over tourqed by aspec which caused the oil to leak out.
also when i had to ASK to get my stock pieces back, they told me they had already given them to me (i was missing most ac parts and all of the pulleys they took out) i still do not have them.
before i got the car back i was urged to buy a power fc or somethign like it, and was quoted 1400 by them for it. i told them i would get one from a friend for 1200, a second later they told me if i waited a week i could get one from them for 1250.
i believe they should re-evaluate the way they do business with people and practice good business ethics, not just how to make as much money as possible off of someone who seems to have pleanty (i do not).
to this day i believe my car is slower than a stock rx7 and is surely slower than a STOCK trans am (which it sure as hell shoulnt be as my car is on drag radials)
what do you all think?
last september i brought my car to be have then engine fully redone by them and was promised a 2-3 month turnaround time to have all passages ported and a sick engine built. being somewhat new to the rotary community this seemed to be a great thing.
a few months pass and my car has not been completed which did not surprise me. even after the 3 months mark, i had not recieved a call from them telling me my car would take longer. i stop by the shop only to see my car in pieces and was told the person they use to build engines is backed up (i was never told they out sourced their rebuilds).
one day i stop by to see nothing had progressed and my wheels were off of my car, which is somewhat odd for an ENGINE rebuild. I notice my own wheels on one of their shop cars and was told they put them on there to move the shop car sense the other wheels were not ready for it yet. i was not asked if they could do this in the first place.
About the time the car was to be done (february 10th about) i did recieve a call and was told it was 90% complete. The next day i got a call saying i had taken out my ignighter which i have pictures taken before i towed my car to their shop WITH the ignighter in place. I was then charged extra for a used ignightor and the car was delayed about a week.
The day i got the car back it looked as if it had been sh*t upon (have pics proving it) it was just really bad, and the car died half way home in traffic and had to be left behind. I then had to replace the alternator and battery ( when i gave them the car it had NO charging problems). The price of the rebuild shot up by 300 in an hour. i got a call saying the exact cost of the rebuild (about 5500) then when i left to pick up the car they told me they had to "recalculate" and it shot to 5900.
Later after i got the car running allright, i noticed bad oil burnoff which later solved itself as the control rings conformed to the OLD side housing (i was charged for resurfacing or entirely new ones)
I have also had an oil leak the ENTIRE time i've had the car back, which is progressivly getting worse (quart a week on the driveway) which is caused by who knows what.
One day as i was trying to figure out why my car would smoke (reason i frist brought it in) i took out the oil metering lines to do a test on how much oil was being injected and the hollow bolts going into the pump had huge aluminum shavings on them where they had been over tourqed by aspec which caused the oil to leak out.
also when i had to ASK to get my stock pieces back, they told me they had already given them to me (i was missing most ac parts and all of the pulleys they took out) i still do not have them.
before i got the car back i was urged to buy a power fc or somethign like it, and was quoted 1400 by them for it. i told them i would get one from a friend for 1200, a second later they told me if i waited a week i could get one from them for 1250.
i believe they should re-evaluate the way they do business with people and practice good business ethics, not just how to make as much money as possible off of someone who seems to have pleanty (i do not).
to this day i believe my car is slower than a stock rx7 and is surely slower than a STOCK trans am (which it sure as hell shoulnt be as my car is on drag radials)
what do you all think?
07-16-2003, 02:45 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Dubuque, IA
Posts: 258
I think you must have had bad luck or something, or we are not hearing the full story.
I took my car there for a Malloy Reman motor to be installed. They did an excellent job of keeping me up to date about their progress. Every week I would get an e-mail from Steve with either some updates or questions, and quite often he would call me as well. The cost was really close to what they estimated for me, and there was never any pressure to 'buy this item'.
I picked up my car and have since put 1200 miles on it and have had absolutely NO problems at all.
I have done prior business with A-Spec a few times the year before and they were always helpful with any questions I had. I firmly believe they are good guys, work hard and are very knowledgeable. I am proud to say my car was tuned there and glad to have their shop nearby.
Bryan
I took my car there for a Malloy Reman motor to be installed. They did an excellent job of keeping me up to date about their progress. Every week I would get an e-mail from Steve with either some updates or questions, and quite often he would call me as well. The cost was really close to what they estimated for me, and there was never any pressure to 'buy this item'.
I picked up my car and have since put 1200 miles on it and have had absolutely NO problems at all.
I have done prior business with A-Spec a few times the year before and they were always helpful with any questions I had. I firmly believe they are good guys, work hard and are very knowledgeable. I am proud to say my car was tuned there and glad to have their shop nearby.
Bryan
07-17-2003, 10:03 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,867
Wow. Thats the first bad thing I have heard about A-Spec.
I actually had a great experience with them. I needed a Greddy 2 piece intercooler pipe kit. I was told by numerous Rx7 shops that they were on international backorder. I called A-Spec told him what I needed and explained the backorder situation early the next morning. He didn't call back all day so I figured he didn't care or couldn't get it, so I found one somewhere else and ordered it late that afternoon. He (A-Spec)called me back at about 8:00 or 8:30 that night to tell me he could get one to me within a few days, and for about $20 cheaper then what I paid a few hours earlier through another vendor. Unfortunately I already paid and the package was on its way. I told him I already got one and he said "thanks anyway, I understand, just keep us in mind if you ever need anything else, we appreciate your business."
Thanks A-spec.
Sorry to hijack your thread but I just wanted to share my GOOD experience with them.
I actually had a great experience with them. I needed a Greddy 2 piece intercooler pipe kit. I was told by numerous Rx7 shops that they were on international backorder. I called A-Spec told him what I needed and explained the backorder situation early the next morning. He didn't call back all day so I figured he didn't care or couldn't get it, so I found one somewhere else and ordered it late that afternoon. He (A-Spec)called me back at about 8:00 or 8:30 that night to tell me he could get one to me within a few days, and for about $20 cheaper then what I paid a few hours earlier through another vendor. Unfortunately I already paid and the package was on its way. I told him I already got one and he said "thanks anyway, I understand, just keep us in mind if you ever need anything else, we appreciate your business."
Thanks A-spec.
Sorry to hijack your thread but I just wanted to share my GOOD experience with them.
07-17-2003, 12:41 PM
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by papasmurf' date='Jul 16 2003, 12:55 AM
after a long time here goes my s*it talking about my very bad expierence.
first, they took almost 5 months as i was promised no more than 3.
second, they stole my wheels from ym car without asking for use on one of their cars.
third, the price shot up by 300 after i called back and they "recalculated" my final price.
fourth, the main problem with the oil ring was not solved, eventhough i was charged for new housings and resurfacing the old ones.
fifth, they stripped the aluminum threads from the oil metering pump.
sixth, they did not ask me about ANYTHING i wanted on the car or off ( i was NEVER called untill 4 months into the project).
seventh, parts were taken off my car when i have proof i gave them with the part on, and i was then charged for the missing parts.
eighth, i have a really bad oil leak in my car ever sence i got it back, about a quart a week.
nineth, i paid about 5900 for the rebuild, which included a lot to make the car go faster, even though my car is notably slower than a STOCK trans am.
they should re-evaluate the way they do business with people, by finding ways to serve their customers and not finding ways on how to take certian people's money, as other's they would not.
first, they took almost 5 months as i was promised no more than 3.
second, they stole my wheels from ym car without asking for use on one of their cars.
third, the price shot up by 300 after i called back and they "recalculated" my final price.
fourth, the main problem with the oil ring was not solved, eventhough i was charged for new housings and resurfacing the old ones.
fifth, they stripped the aluminum threads from the oil metering pump.
sixth, they did not ask me about ANYTHING i wanted on the car or off ( i was NEVER called untill 4 months into the project).
seventh, parts were taken off my car when i have proof i gave them with the part on, and i was then charged for the missing parts.
eighth, i have a really bad oil leak in my car ever sence i got it back, about a quart a week.
nineth, i paid about 5900 for the rebuild, which included a lot to make the car go faster, even though my car is notably slower than a STOCK trans am.
they should re-evaluate the way they do business with people, by finding ways to serve their customers and not finding ways on how to take certian people's money, as other's they would not.
1. you tried to rebuild your motor and when you couldnt you drop the car of to us with several missing nuts and bolts...the car came to us with half of the stuff missing.. you were missing key compnents to the 3rd gen..dont you remember that? remember all the loose bolts and parts you threw in the trunk with no orgnaization?
2. You were given several recommendations on all the parts missing and we tried our best to get you USED parts to save you money.. normally a business wont try to get there customers used parts they will get NEW parts... Remember the missing Ignitor ($$$$) cracked ISC ???? bad alternator?? .. various other missing parts????
3 howabout the snapped and stripped out threads you had all over the motor... who spent the time to fix everything for you.. we did, no charge
4. You got a large street ported motor and YOU decided to run it on a stock ecu and stock injectors.. you were told this combonation would not work but you didnt listen
5. You were also told how to break in motor but you choosed to not lto isten and do burn outs and rev the crap out of the motor the day after you picked it up.... does Hooters in Park Ridge, sound familiar? we have several people seeing you absolutely beat the sh+t out of th ecar right after you got it back.. I know the chicago people who read this know exactly what im talking about
6. You came in and we gave you a estimate on what you tell us ..after we actually see your car and go into it a estimate may go up... $300 over your orignal estimate is not that bad considering the car was in pieces when we got it.. thats less than 5%
7. You havent even told us once how you feel and then come on here to rip us..who spent the time on the phone to diagnose that turbo boost problem
6. i see your trying to sell your car and say how great it is on this forum and now your saying the total opposite, seems like your the one tryinig to pull something...i hope who ever buys your car knows all these supposeded problems..good luck.
8. figuring we cant satisfy everyone... we have got a great repeat customer rate, as told on anther forum
WHY DONT YOU PLEASE SCAN IN YOUR RECIEPT FOR EVERYONE COULD SEE IT AND THEN SEE HOW YOU CHOOSE NOT TO DO THE RECOMMENDED FUEL MODS TO YOUR PORTED MOTOR
Thanks
A-spec
07-17-2003, 01:21 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: the windy (cold ) city.
Posts: 588
that is one part to your car, not having the entire car built by them. they seem to be biased towards certian types of people and more a**holeish towards people like myself. for most cars they are good on repairing them if they have good standing within the rotary community, but others who just need it done, they dont seem to care a bit.
07-17-2003, 01:35 PM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 21
How about we start off with this, you come in here and say you want a built and ported motor that you tried to do the work yourself and couldn't and could we finish it, you explained that you wanted to do all of these upgrades and build this monster car thats fine. When it comes time to start doing everything it's I don't have any money for this, I don't have any money for that, there were numerous things that were missing that we then tried to find used for you, so you could save you money, there were numerous recommendations made about things needed on the car that YOU chose not to do. Like run a large street ported motor on a stock ecu and injectors, there are numerous accounts of you not breaking the motor in at all but immediatly going out and trying to race people over in Park Ridge, your rings and gears were hardened those take considerably longer to seat and after the way you were seen treating the car may never seat right, at least be smart enough to not do it in front of other local RX7 owners who more than likely are our customers.The car was on stands and your wheels were removed, I(Sean) had grabbed your wheels on accident instead of the shop wheels out of the corner to move another car out of the shop, I(Sean) chose to tell you this out of not hiding anything from you, I could have just pointed to the stack of wheels in the corner and said those are yours you would have never known... so much for being honest. You complain about a $300 hundred dollar difference in the price, a estimate is just that, a estimate, we were off by 5% according to you, not to bad considering again how much stuff was missing IE. ignitor, the need for a alternator which was brought up many times only to for you to tell us, I know,I know, but not letting us provide you with one, or how much stuff was stripped out and had to be retapped from you obviously trying to give it your best, and yet we didn't charge you for any of that, all because suddenly you funds became limited.You were asked numerous times what were your goals, you were given numerous recommendations and chose not to do them, you brought in a half dissassmbled car with missing parts, and gave us a idea of what you wanted done but then didn't have the money to take it to the proper end. I do believe there are even some of those recommendations on your reciept, why not scan that in for everyone to see, the funny thing is never once did you come to us and say all of these things.If there is one thing I've learned about this business is this there are customers who have the money to do it right, and then there are the ones who dream about doing it right but don't have the money,(which one do you fall under) they either listen to your recommendations, or don't at that point you do the best you can usually you get burned by their ignorance.
-Sean
-Sean
07-17-2003, 02:00 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Fenton, MI
Posts: 700
Well, I hate to hear anyone have a bad experience. But I would just like to put in my two cents about A-Spec (as has already been expressed somewhere else online) and will simply quote myself and maybe add a few comments...
I happen to be the co-founder of a growing midwest event. I know and have spoken with many of the A-Spec customers personally, and have met/spoken with the owners/employees personally.
I will stand here and tell you if I didn't feel A-Spec was 100% top quality they would not be asked to sponsor the event next year. If I felt they didn't maintain their reputation appropriately in the RX7 community I wouldn't allow them to be attached to the event in any way. I actually monitor all feedback I can about possible sponsors/vendors it is very important.
I feel bad that a fellow RX7 owner is not happy with his car, but I feel A-Spec stands behind their work with pride. My personal opinion is that they are honest/hard-working no nonsense guys, and if my car was in the Chicago area and needed some work, it wouldn't go anywhere else but to their shop.
I happen to be the co-founder of a growing midwest event. I know and have spoken with many of the A-Spec customers personally, and have met/spoken with the owners/employees personally.
I will stand here and tell you if I didn't feel A-Spec was 100% top quality they would not be asked to sponsor the event next year. If I felt they didn't maintain their reputation appropriately in the RX7 community I wouldn't allow them to be attached to the event in any way. I actually monitor all feedback I can about possible sponsors/vendors it is very important.
I feel bad that a fellow RX7 owner is not happy with his car, but I feel A-Spec stands behind their work with pride. My personal opinion is that they are honest/hard-working no nonsense guys, and if my car was in the Chicago area and needed some work, it wouldn't go anywhere else but to their shop.