Turbo porting issue ... not what I ordered

[Calan]

I just bought a new Evo III mani, turbo, and O2 from an unmentioned vendor. They were supposed to port-match everything. Well, the turbo wasn't ported at all, and the mani has been ported to the friggin moon and back. I haven't gotten the O2 yet, so I dunno what it will look like.

From what I can see, it doesn't look like there is enough meat on the Evo III turbo to port it to properly match what they took out of the mani. I could probably do it (have it done), but I'm afraid it would crack from not having enough material left.

As long as it took to get the order here in the first place, I'm a bit hesitant to send it back to them and "maybe" get what I asked for in the first place. (And this was discussed at length over the phone when I placed the order... there was no doubt as to what I was asking for. Apparently the disconnect happened between their sales department and machine shop).

So anyway... what would you guys suggest?

1. Take a chance on having someone else port the turbo to match the mani, and hope it doesn't crack?

2. Return the mani and just have a new one sent unported and bolt it up to the unported turbo?

3. Send the turbo and mani back together (and probably O2 also) and hope they can make it right?

4. Any other ideas?

Thanks as always....

 

[allgripnoslip]

First thing I would do is explain the problem to the vendor and tell that what you wanted in the firstt place and they should be able to accomodate your request since they messed up. If they wont, you might want to see if you can get a refund for the manifold and try someplace else... Thats what I personally would do. Also, make sure you keep your cool because most vendors will be more likely to help you out if you dont flip out on them. GL

 

[definitiveno]

I just bought a new Evo III mani, turbo, and O2 from an unmentioned vendor. They were supposed to port-match everything. Well, the turbo wasn't ported at all, and the mani has been ported to the friggin moon and back. I haven't gotten the O2 yet, so I dunno what it will look like.

From what I can see, it doesn't look like there is enough meat on the Evo III turbo to port it to properly match what they took out of the mani. I could probably do it (have it done), but I'm afraid it would crack from not having enough material left.

As long as it took to get the order here in the first place, I'm a bit hesitant to send it back to them and "maybe" get what I asked for in the first place. (And this was discussed at length over the phone when I placed the order... there was no doubt as to what I was asking for. Apparently the disconnect happened between their sales department and machine shop).

So anyway... what would you guys suggest?

1. Take a chance on having someone else port the turbo to match the mani, and hope it doesn't crack?

2. Return the mani and just have a new one sent unported and bolt it up to the unported turbo?

3. Send the turbo and mani back together (and probably O2 also) and hope they can make it right?

4. Any other ideas?

Thanks as always....

If it's who I think it is you are better off to cut your losses. If it's who I think it is, they would never spend out of pocket to correct their own personal mistakes. They would probably hook the rest of your stuff up to the point of not sealing or cracking if you wanted them to though, to save a buck.

 

[Calan]

If it's who I think it is you are better off to cut your losses. If it's who I think it is, they would never spend out of pocket to correct their own personal mistakes. They would probably hook the rest of your stuff up to the point of not sealing or cracking if you wanted them to though, to save a buck.

I'm thinking I agree with you.

After looking at the mani more closely, I'm also wondering if they took the middle runner down too far.

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Amount that has to be removed to match mani. The red circle is tracing the edge of the template plate they used on the mani porting:

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And here is a side view showing (somewhat) how little material there is at this spot to begin with.

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[Steve93Talon]

Sheesh. Why would anyone open it up that much? All you need to do is remove the step and blend it to the stock outer diameter. Personally, I'd return the manifold for an unported one and buy an OEM sealing ring. Then you'll never blow out a gasket and it won't affect power.

 

[kmoore]

The middle runner "step" of the mani looks fine. What I would do is, if you already paid for everything to get ported, they sure as hell better port all of the things you paid for. In your case, since they didn't, I would asked them "politely" and return everything AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW TO PORT MATCH IT TO A 7CM GASKET. I hope everything works out for you

 

[romeen]

I would definitely NOT let them port the turbo to match. Like you noticed, the EVO 3 housings are thin at the inlet neck and removing that much material would be asking for trouble. A DSM shop should know better.

I would return the manifold and demand a new, unported one. Did they use a gasket for a template? If not you would have to modify one so that the inner edges won't be protruding into the exhaust stream. But then that would leave a relatively thin edge on the gasket making it prone to blowing out.

As you may know some of the fastest times with an EVO 3 are with unported ones. As Steve93Talon said, leaving it alone and using the stock sealing ring with an oem gasket makes gasket failure/leaks next to impossible. RRE has both if you are interested.

 

[oldman]

5. Return the manifold in exchange for a virgin manofld, get your money back for both manifold and turbo porting, use the refund to buy porting tools and port match both the turbo and manifold to a 7cm^2 gasket. Unless you're running an external or 23+ psi, you're gonna need some serious porting on that EVO3.

 

[Calan]

This little story just keeps getting better....Almost 3 weeks now and still don't have my money back on there ####-up. They keep dodging me with every excuse in the book. I've already received and bolted up a new mani/sealing ring from RRE, and the clowns at the original shop won't even return a call or answer mine. (They were supposed to call me and send a return label 1-1/2 weeks ago... nadda word since).

Oh... and as for the rest of my order:

1. Wrong oil pan and valve cover bolts. Specifically asked for standard hex, and got socket head.

2. Wrong banjo bolts for turbo. Again, had a very specific conversation about these including the one oil and two water line banjo bolts for an E316G. The sales guy even put me on hold so he could verify the sizes with a colleague. Got 2 that weren't even close.

3. Received 4 prothane motor mounts after asking them to remove them from the order two days before I placed it. He even read back the invoice before taking my money and stated they had been removed.

4. Stainless relocation oil feed line for turbo is the wrong length and won't work (although I've since decided to stay stock anyway). AGAIN... had him verify it was the correct one.

This crap shop is a site-sponsored vendor, so I'll respect the rules and not mention them by name. But they will NEVER get another penny from me after this. I wouldn't do business with them if they were the last place selling metric fasteners on the planet.

I will say however that is is not RRE or Forced Performance, who have always shown me great customer service.

Buyers beware of shops that grow too big to care about what got them there in the first place

 

[TSG59_Steve]

Do you not want the prothane mounts

 

[kmoore]

Buyers beware of shops that grow too big to care about what got them there in the first place

Are we allowed to take a guess?

 

[drivemusicnow]

This little story just keeps getting better....Almost 3 weeks now and still don't have my money back on there ####-up. They keep dodging me with every excuse in the book. I've already received and bolted up a new mani/sealing ring from RRE, and the clowns at the original shop won't even return a call or answer mine. (They were supposed to call me and send a return label 1-1/2 weeks ago... nadda word since).

Oh... and as for the rest of my order:

1. Wrong oil pan and valve cover bolts. Specifically asked for standard hex, and got socket head.

2. Wrong banjo bolts for turbo. Again, had a very specific conversation about these including the one oil and two water line banjo bolts for an E316G. The sales guy even put me on hold so he could verify the sizes with a colleague. Got 2 that weren't even close.

3. Received 4 prothane motor mounts after asking them to remove them from the order two days before I placed it. He even read back the invoice before taking my money and stated they had been removed.

4. Stainless relocation oil feed line for turbo is the wrong length and won't work (although I've since decided to stay stock anyway). AGAIN... had him verify it was the correct one.

This crap shop is a site-sponsored vendor, so I'll respect the rules and not mention them by name. But they will NEVER get another penny from me after this. I wouldn't do business with them if they were the last place selling metric fasteners on the planet.

I will say however that is is not RRE or Forced Performance, who have always shown me great customer service.

Buyers beware of shops that grow too big to care about what got them there in the first place

Take your complaint up with Mike Huml, extension 13. clearly exlplain it and see if he takes care of it. He's on this new service kick and I'm interested to see if he'll actually follow through.

 

[definitiveno]

Take your complaint up with Mike Huml, extension 13. clearly exlplain it and see if he takes care of it. He's on this new service kick and I'm interested to see if he'll actually follow through.

If his passed service is any indication of his new service plan, Huml should be in here in a minute with defamatory remarks about calan for complaining about his order.

 

[GVR4592]

It's kind of funny that everbody knows exactly who you're talking about and you don't even have to say the name. This should be a warning to everybody else who buys from them.

 

[Xeiros]

Sorry bout the rant. That really sucks man. I definetly agree with those that say to return the mani, get an untouched one, and port it yourself. That way, if you don't have a ported 02 housing, you've got the tools to do that yourself as well.

 

[oldman]

Let's not turn this thread into vendor review. This applies to all vendors regardless whether they're a sponsor of this site, check our sponsor vendor list before you jump into any conclusions.

 

[Calan]

I'm not saying who it is... for both my own reasons and the fact that I respect the rules of this forum.. as well as the opinions of certain individuals.

I will say however that it has come to my attention that the people I am dealing with may no longer be a sponsored vendor. I don't know... I haven't checked... and frankly, it doesn't matter and I don't care. I am just perturbed over the fact that ANYONE in any field of business that deals with the public could have this type (or lack) of customer service. I don't put up with it within my own company, and I don't see how anyone else can.

With that said... it's all good. As stated, I have already received (and bolted up) a new manifold and sealing ring from RRE (who BTW were extremely customer service oriented when a small billing mistake happened on this).

Eventually, I will hopefully get my money back and someone will learn from this: either the company I'm dealing with (if they want to stay in business for long) or future potential customers if they don't want to lose their hard-earned money.

Either way... I'm perfectly willing to let this topic die as far as a public forum is concerned. As a very wise person pointed out to me, I should have looked a little more closely at other threads on this forum and seen the writing on the wall.

Oh well... just goes to show that you are never too old to live and learn

EDIT:

Steve... just saw that... ummm... I'm hanging onto the urethane mounts in case I change my mind (probably gonna use stockers in the driver and front...and thanes in the tranny and rear... sorry dude

EDIT #2:

And... if you can't figure out who it is from numerous threads here and if (and only if) you have a legitimate concern about business you are (or may be) doing with this shop ...PM me and I'll be happy to give you more information as to how my little saga has unravelled.


Anyone wanna buy a really nice brand new ported TO THE HILT Evo III mani?

and damn it... if anyone now pulls points for me posting a "want to buy" thread.....

 

[kottyking]

If you want other people to know of your experiance, post it on www.vendors-reviewed.com

 

[Calan]

Kotty... I appreciate the thought, but I'll pass. I'm a firm believer in "what goes around, comes around". In hind site, there is enough negativity on this vendor that it will catch up with them. They don't need me to stir anything up more than I have; they are doing that by themselves just fine