Cogs Cogs Transmissions

[garrett490]

Hey guys I talked with Joe from Cogs Cogs. He sounds like a stand up individual. I've read the negative reviews regarding his use parts/junkyard business. This question is for those of you who have personally dealt with his Transmission rebuilds. Any leaks or issues after the work was initially done? He sounds like a full fledged expert, but I just want to make sure his workmanship and attention to detail are what I expect. After all I don't plan on spending this money and time to have issues with my transmission afterwards. I expect like new performance out of my 915.

I am aware of his reputation as a junkyard/used parts salesman. I am looking for reviews on his transmission rebuilds by people that have personally experienced his work.

[uwanna]

I delt with Joe Cogbill many times in the past and had good results, however that was close to 20 yrs ago when he had the PAP company in Atlanta. Back then he was the "go to" guy for transmission rebuilds in the Atlanta area and did excellant work. He is clearly capable of doing the job.
But having read all the bad press about him since he moved his operation to Cleveland GA, I would be very leary! I have indeed read things about transmission rebuild ripoffs
by him. Things like using old non servicable parts and such. As they say "caveat emptor".
If you find a good review, I'd be surprised. The only way I'd do business with him is face to face, which is great when just buying parts where you can see the product.
A closed up tranny on good faith is really a crapshoot!
I'm sure you can find someone in the metro area who does known good work and would be price competitive. After all, you don't want to be "commuting'
back and forth to Clevend GA to solve problems!
Good luck!

[jeffbottman]

You might consider sending the transmission to John Walker in Seattle. As this forum attests, a 110% stand-up honest hyper-experienced 911 mechanic. Maybe worth the shipping cost for quality and peace of mind, and knowing for sure if anything you have been undercharged.

[uwanna]

Check this post by a local (Cumming Ga guy) on his Cogbill thoughts!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/1339615-post1.html

[Matt Monson]

Based on your location, I would go to Goldcrest Motorsports.

[Dpmulvan]

Do it yourself it's not that difficult

[uwanna]

if you haven't read Peter Zimmerman's excellant WIKI article on 915 rebuild, please do.
You will learn a wealth of things about rebuilds and the right way, and the "bargin" way
of doing it. With a bargin basement rebuild, you surely get what you pay for. If Cogbill
offers a rebuild for a lot less than Peter indicates it should cost, I'd steer clear.
Better yet, why not do it your self. Saw your beautiful engine rebuild, and if you have the "chops" to accomplish that, you could easily tackle a tranny.

Porsche Wiki

[garrett490]

I will call Goldcrest and see what they say. They did the bottom end of my engine and mated the case back together. Very pleased with there service.

Uwanna can you repost that link to the other thread. That link isn't working on my iphone at least. Also...Cogs offered for me to come up there and he would do work in front of me and show me some things and explain how the LSD works and verify its condition in front of me. He really sounded like he wants to overcome some of the bad press. Having done 6000 transmissions tells me he knows what he's doing obviously but I just don't want leaks or issues due to lack of care or attention to detail. If he's done 6000 transmissions where are all the people with Cogs rebuilds?


Please excuse brevity and spelling errors. Sent using iPhone

[garrett490]

I will call Goldcrest and see what they say. They did the bottom end of my engine and mated the case back together. Very pleased with there service.

Uwanna can you repost that link to the other thread. That link isn't working on my iphone at least. Also...Cogs offered for me to come up there and he would do work in front of me and show me some things and explain how the LSD works and verify its condition in front of me. He really sounded like he wants to overcome some of the bad press. Having done 6000 transmissions tells me he knows what he's doing obviously but I just don't want leaks or issues due to lack of care or attention to detail. If he's done 6000 transmissions where are all the people with Cogs rebuilds?


Please excuse brevity and spelling errors. Sent using iPhone

[uwanna]

Here's that link again. Old thread from the archive, may need to try on computer rather than phone!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/1339615-post1.html

Care to share the price quoted for a 915 rebuild?

[garrett490]

He didn't give me a quote. We really just talked about his reputation and he tried to clear the air and gave some explanations from his end of the deal on some of the posts people have made. Turns out one guy was trying to get his money back/return a steering wheel he'd bought 5 years prior.

I read the thread you posted. I know some mechanics that sound like Joe but they are in the aircraft industry. They are some old timer guys that know when something is "fine" and when it needs replacing. It sounds like Joe may be one of those types of guys, where as a lot of us on here are the types of people that just want brand new and no hassles. Now if he refuses to do what a customer wants or is legitimately screwing people by charging for brand new parts and installing used/but fine parts then that is a different story.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by garrett490

He didn't give me a quote. We really just talked about his reputation and he tried to clear the air and gave some explanations from his end of the deal on some of the posts people have made. Turns out one guy was trying to get his money back/return a steering wheel he'd bought 5 years prior.

I read the thread you posted. I know some mechanics that sound like Joe but they are in the aircraft industry. They are some old timer guys that know when something is "fine" and when it needs replacing. It sounds like Joe may be one of those types of guys, where as a lot of us on here are the types of people that just want brand new and no hassles. Now if he refuses to do what a customer wants or is legitimately screwing people by charging for brand new parts and installing used/but fine parts then that is a different story.

Do yourself a favor and read Zimmermans WIKI cover to cover. He covers what things can be reused and which may look good but need to be replaced and why. (i.e. gear slider replacement vs just dog rings and syncros) If you go up to see Joe, at least you'll be prepared to observe and ask the right questions.

[garrett490]

Good advice! Will do

[Tippy]

I bought an axle flange from him for my G50 ('cause I ripped the bolts out of one as the bolts came loose) before reading the reviews.

Glad he sent what I bought.

You'd think he was Motor Meister from the bad reviews.

[HammerESQ]

I spoke with Joe just a few weeks ago about purchasing a rebuilt 915 or rebuilding my '77 Sportomatic 3 speed. He was really friendly, and having myself researched both the Sportomatic to 5 speed swap, as well as rebuilding the 3 speed Sportomatic he really seemed to know his stuff. He laid out the costs involved in both options, and at the end of our conversation told me to feel free to call anytime if I needed more advice.

I am still trying to determine what direction I'm going to move in with this car, but I won't hesitate to do business with him based on my interaction.

[garrett490]

Yea I'm going to at least go check out his shop. Some of us on here can be pretty anal (especially when buying used parts). Again its hard to find bad reviews on his transmission work other than the one that uwanna posted and it wasn't a bad review per-say. Its not exactly what I want to hear either. AGAIN, with 6000 rebuilds out there I'm not sure why they aren't more people chiming in. Most people only write negative reviews and satisfied customers rarely post positive reviews so could it be that the lack of tranny reviews indicates most people are happy?

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by garrett490

Yea I'm going to at least go check out his shop. Some of us on here can be pretty anal (especially when buying used parts). Again its hard to find bad reviews on his transmission work other than the one that uwanna posted and it wasn't a bad review per-say. Its not exactly what I want to hear either. AGAIN, with 6000 rebuilds out there I'm not sure why they aren't more people chiming in. Most people only write negative reviews and satisfied customers rarely post positive reviews so could it be that the lack of tranny reviews indicates most people are happy?

First and foremost, in my past dealings with Joe Cogbill, I have had nothing but good experiences. When I did my first 3.6 transplant to my '82SC, he couldn't have been more helpful with parts acquisition and special orders. Heck, he sold me a brand new
in the crate 915/70 LSD (Turbo look) tranny for $1500. But that was 22yrs ago
Joe is very gregarious, friendly, charming and a cool customer. Hell,he could sell ice to Eskimos, and charm the habit off of a nun. Personally I like dealing with him. That said, any search on any of the Porsche boards will bring up many, many horror stories. Where there's smoke there's bound to be a true fire or two, and some of them were huge money losses through fraud.
The comments on this thread today have painted a possible repentant Joe who is striving to rebuild his reputation. I hope that is all true! Only time and experience will verify if he's turned over a new leaf. I personally hope so.

[Elombard]

I saw a price recently for Goldcrest to work on a 915. It was amazingly fair. If there reputation is half as good as people say I would keep them at the top of a list. At one time I was considering sending a 915 to Zimmerman or Matt Monson for a rebuild...if your going to ship might as well go to the pros.

It would be cool to watch and help with the rebuild just to learn a bit about it.

[billium01]

I bought a transmission from Joe about 7 years ago. A g50/52 to be exact. Said it was fine. I received it and it was pretty obvious the back end had been welded. The shift rod was bent! Wouldnt shift! Took it to a porsche specialist in Tampa and he said...."Who sold you that piece of ****" Thank god I bought it on a credit card. Joe agreed to take it back, only because I had plenty of recourse through Visa. Asked if he could pay me back in installments because he didnt have the money. Guy was full of crap. I would never do business with him. You cant hide your Bull**** Joe. its all out there bud.

[jazzmens1]

I was rebuilding my 901 that is in my bus because I found a good 6:29 ring and pinion for a good price. Needed to go back to standard gearing that 914's have. Found Joe online and had some good conversations with Joe and seemed to be a great guy. Sent him a good S and X gear sets to trade for new engagement teeth for my N and V gears(don't have a press handy). After nearly 2 months he said parts were ready. Paid with credit card for some bearings added to the order.
Shipping label was made and had tracking # but USPS never received the parts. For the next month I made contact with Joe but he started complaining that he was loosing out on the deal. I canceled the card payment then he sent me heavily used N and V gears that I would not use and when to my card company to try and get full payment. I recommend steer clear.