A 3.6 Nightmare (Long Post)

Embs · Embs's Garage

The below account is of my experience with a 3.6 transplant "guru".

I am obviously not using real names in this post, except for my own.

I contracted this company to: rebuild my transmission, install a 3.6, perform an alignment and corner balance.

Below are the currently known issues:

The rebuilt transmission is really hard to shift and sticks hard in 5th gear, you have to fight to get it out of 5th.

The engine will barely idle, it oscillates, surges and dies whenever the accelerator is fully released during operation

The engine stumbles/misfires at various RPM ranges

The engine smokes at various RPM ranges and between shifts

The engine leaks oil at the case-mating seam, enough that it puddles

The engine case appears to have salt-water or some other exterior corrosion damage

The homemade oil line from the engine leaks oil

The Carrera cooler is totally inadequate, even though it is/was advertised as being adequate on Blank’s web site.

The wire-tied homemade coil brackets came loose, and are of shoddy construction

The engine I ended up with is a 1996 ROW Varioram model and not a 1998 model as it was/is advertised on Blank's web site, I was originally promised a 1997 engine but the (supposed) 1998 engine was used as a substitute when the 1997 engine was discovered to be smoking upon install.

The main wire harness was poorly wrapped and left unsupported and loose in the engine compartment, there are also unused loose sensor plugs for god knows what

The old wire harness body pan grommet was chiseled out of the body, the new one is just hanging there

One of the un-removed no longer needed heater hoses is crushed/pinched up under the starter

The cooling tin is beat to hell and there are huge gaps around the engine.

Do yourself a BIG favor, please do not be the idiot that I obviously was/am. Go to the pros and not those who are pretending to be. Informative and/or flashy websites mean nothing. WORKMANSHIP IS SUBJECTIVE; DEFINE YOUR DETAILED EXPECTATIONS IN WRITING, GET IT SIGNED AND DATED.

I wish Pelican performed service on the east & west coast as well as selling parts. I have never had an issue with quality or delivery. My new MOMO wheel looks great, I just wish I could try it out someplace other than daydreaming in my garage listening to the oil drip.

Lothar · Lothar's Garage

I'm curious, have you talked to the "guru" about these problems and what was his response? I would think that the need for corrective action would be obvious.

Embs · Embs's Garage

The "guru" has a way different story. I think this is only going to be resolved in court. He did initially wan to perform more work on the car once I reported the issues to him, after looking at this mess, I feel he has done enough for me.

curtisaa · 09-10-2002, 05:19 AM

This "guru's" initials wouldn't be ST...? If so, I'd be very surprised.

Embs · Embs's Garage

I was "surprised" as well

Kemo · 09-10-2002, 05:22 AM

Embs,

Sorry to hear about your 3.6 project. I would really love to have a 3.6 conversion done to my SC. Just out of curiosity, what is the "guru" story?

Embs · Embs's Garage

I can't say anything else about the Guru right now. The situation is ugly.

JWest · 09-10-2002, 05:28 AM

Careful before you go to court.

If he is willing to perform additional work to make it right, you might not win in court. If he tells the judge that it is custom work, and he is willing to make the changes you desire, the case may be thrown out.

curtisaa · 09-10-2002, 05:29 AM

WOW..it's like someone "shot the messenger". I'm one of this guru's proponents. I did not have him do any of my work, but I relied on his expertise to guide me through the task of 3.6'ing my car....

Moses · 09-10-2002, 05:34 AM

Shockingly crappy work. What a complete disappointment.

cab83_750 · 09-10-2002, 05:46 AM

Sorry about your experience.

Yeah, I almost hired someone but my angel intervene. One of the previous replies to a post had very very subtle message in it. I emailed the gentleman who posted it, and he and I spoke about his experience. Poor workmanship!

I am dealing with somebody right now! Great stuff from him so far!

Lothar · Lothar's Garage

EMBS,

I have to agree with the earlier post. I understand your disgust, but you need to give him the opportunity to make things right. I doubt you would get anywhere in court if you have refused an offer to correct the problems.

You could establish a "punch list" of things that need to be corrected and limit the work to these specific items and remedies to which you have agreed. I believe you will get what you need in the end at little or no additional cost to you. The "take him to court route" can only get uglier before it gets better.

If you participate in drivers ed events in your area, you will be seeing this guy plenty in the future. If you don't care for the "my way or the highway" attitude, then you may choose to do business elsewhere in the future. However, you can at least close this chapter once the repairs are complete.

I wish you luck and hope you get back on the road soon.

john_colasante · 09-10-2002, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Steve Timmins (www.instant-g.com) is putting a 97 Euro Varioram (Non OBDII) in my 84 Targa as I type this. So far communication has been wonderful and I am going to pick the car up on 8/17.

The guy is meticulous about what he does.

The above quote is from the archives. It seems like you did your homework beforehand and had some good experiences. I'm surprised you were not able to resolve this seemingly small issues. I'm sure by posting what you did the changes of an amicable resolution are zero now.

Embs · Embs's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Lothar
EMBS,

I have to agree with the earlier post. I understand your disgust, but you need to give him the opportunity to make things right.

So let's say you get some carpentry work on your house, and then you discover that the whole job sucks in your opinion, your going to give the same carpenter who obviously hacked it up to begin with another chance to "make it right"? Not me dude.

Embs · Embs's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by john_colasante

The above quote is from the archives. It seems like you did your homework beforehand and had some good experiences. I'm surprised you were not able to resolve this seemingly small issues. I'm sure by posting what you did the changes of an amicable resolution are zero now.

That was then, this is now.

Jdub · 09-10-2002, 06:22 AM

Interesting web site for the good doctor. He seems to have the Paul Weir problem: into racing - shop work for others just an inconvenience? Also have to wonder about someone who uses an @edu address for professional correspondence.

What a shame. Shoddy work by lazy folks.

John

Lothar · Lothar's Garage

Dear Embs,

I agree, there is a point at which the work is so bad that you would not be willing to go back for a second helping. This is clearly a judgement call. However, the carpenter in question has not demonstrated a pattern of dissatisfied customers from the posts I have seen on this board.

I recommended the "punch list" approach because you now view his work with some suspicion. I would have the remedies detailed down to materials and method of repair.

When you agreed to have the work done, you entered into a contract. The suppier has a lengthy warranty statement that specifically refers to workmanship:

"Rebuilt engines are warranted for six months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. Warranty is limited to failure caused by faulty workmanship or failure of a replaced part only."

Your claim is that he did not fulfil his obligation under that contract. The means of disputing the outcome are detailed in the warranty statement and prescribe arbitration in accordance with AAA rules.

Have you considered requesting arbitration. Also, be sure to document your objections to the work. I would suggest registered mail.

Embs · Embs's Garage

I am just very depressed and very dissapointed at the whole situation. I trusted this person 100%. I was very impressed and amazed at the Porsche knowledge this person had. I witnessed a person who was so busy and sleep deprived that I don't see how he could get through the day.

I do not dis-respect this person in any way.
My confidence in the work he performed is just shot. I don't want to take another chance, my nerves couldn't handle it.

Moses · 09-10-2002, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Embs

The engine will barely idle, it oscillates, surges and dies whenever the accelerator is fully released during operation

The engine stumbles/misfires at various RPM ranges

The engine smokes at various RPM ranges and between shifts

The engine leaks oil at the case-mating seam, enough that it puddles

This is the part I find INEXCUSABLE! This guy says all the engines he sells are currently in his cars and running well. I can live with redundant heater hoses and bad brackets and even a taped up wiring harness, but the freaking engine won't even run properly!

I am disgusted just reading this post.

john walker's workshop · 09-10-2002, 07:07 AM

bring up the website and click on the warranty page. very telling.