Deputy's Build Thread
05-18-16, 08:31 AM
#121
Turbo is the new(er) Borg Warner SXE-369.. 69mm turbo, billet internals.. I'll be running a .91 A/R housing. Should be a beast! Unfortunately, the turbo is so new that people don't have much dyno numbers on it... However, rumor mill has it that its a 1000hp turbo and will spool like the older BW S366.. I should see full boost around 4000rpm.
05-18-16, 11:35 AM
#122
I was reading about this turbo on SF forums. One guy just posted up a dyno sheet.
http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...urbos-)/page10
http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...urbos-)/page10
Last edited by tjmhillz; 05-18-16 at 11:52 AM.
05-18-16, 06:21 PM
#123
05-25-16, 07:01 AM
#125
I wish I had more updates for you, and they WILL come soon and in waves as I almost have everything to finish my build. I wanted to post this here to show and document what I've actually been going through when it comes to receiving the stuff I've been paying for and why some of these updates are so drastically far apart
I will try to be as unbiased as possible here as I, for the first time, bring my "issues" to the public to get their opinion on the matter. If at any point it turns out that I'm just being a whiner or a terrible consumer, let me know, I'll cease all complaining and go apologize straight to my parts guy immediately.
For the time being, I'll keep his name anonymous. No reason to ruin a guys name or his little side enterprise for nothing... unless.
Trying to keep this short, sweet and simple: I am building my SC300 to the max (check my build thread!) and I needed a parts guy. I was recommended to "Parts Guy" by a few people, have heard good things and continue to see people recommend him to others, etc. In the beginning, I asked him hundreds of questions (and I still ask him quite a bit up until recently) as this was my first build. He set me up with a parts list to meet my goal and off I went to build the funds for all the parts!
Buy #1
Not too much longer, I dropped some cash to buy the following from him:
- Borg Warner S366, Billet FMF Wheel - The turbo was to be coated black and V-band welded on
- Exhaust Manifold - Was to be braced, planed, coated black and have a custom wastegate neck and dump tube made.
- Tial MVR 44mm Wastegate - In black as well as coated black
- 3" to 4" Downpipe - Coated black
Buy #2
I bought this stuff maybe 2 weeks later
Tial Q 50mm BoV - In black!
Mishimoto Radiator
I received the stuff from Buy #2 in a timely manner. Buy #1 was an entirely different story. Parts Guy was having someone else do all the welding and modifying of my turbo hot side, manifold and downpipe. He originally, if I remember correctly, told me it would take around 6 weeks to have everything completed. He sent me some updates here and there and the quality of work done to everything was fantastic. Really nice pie cuts done on the manifold, downpipe looked great, etc. Was excited to receive all of it . All the sudden, Parts Guys disappears for 3-4 days. Not a single returned text, message, nothing. Turns out he was accused of stealing at his (former) job, fired and sent to jail. I was told all of my parts except for my turbo and wastegate were in the shop when he was escorted out and he wasn't allowed to get any of it back. I called the shop owner and had a few conversations with him and to be honest, I never got anywhere. He knew nothing about my parts and either didn't want to or couldn't really seem to help me. He was pretty salty about one of his employees working for him as well as selling parts for himself on the side (out of this guys shop). So now Parts Guy has to recreate ALL of my stuff "out of his own money". To end the story with Buy #1, in the end it took 96 days for me to get my stuff. It would have been longer, except I went down to a car event way out of state for me, met up with him and picked my parts up in person.
I picked things up from him in a parking lot at night, didn't really thoroughly look things over (my fault), tossed everything in a box and loaded it in my truck. Wasn't until I got home did I see the quality of the work done. The wastegate and turbo were both coated professionally and looked very nice. The welded on V-band flange to my turbo was also well done. My manifold looked like crap. The wastegate neck was just a cut bent piece of tube with the wastegate flange welded at the end and then (crookedly) welded onto the manifold itself. It was also MIG welded... My downpipe was the same story. MIG weldedtogether, beads of the welds weren't flush and I even found some wire still stuck to the bead.... These parts were also supposed to be ceramic coated black. I'm not sure how its supposed to be, but I could run my nail over this "coating" to scratch it off and it looked an awful lot like high temp spray paint... Not exactly exciting after waiting 96 days and spending $2k+ on.
If you want to see the parts, check out pages 6 and 7 of my build thread. You will see how the parts were and eventually see what I actually received.
Parts Guy was apologetic and even bought me an ARP headstud kit for the trouble - A nice gesture.
Despite all of it, I decided to continue my loyalty to him. He's always answered my questions and provide the help when I needed it... for the most part. In fact, we typically had a good time with our conversations.
Buy #3
Decided to spend even more money on a fully built 2jz bottom end. Rods, pistons, bearings, mains studs.. the works as well as a welded timing gear and modified oil pump. He told me 6 weeks for this and to earn my trust again (seeing as I ended up spending twice what I did in Buy #1), he put a "late clause" in there stating that if he was late, he would personally buy my transmission. I didn't have anything to lose, so I went ahead with it. About 5 weeks and 5 days in, my bottom end was complete and I ended up receiving it around the middle of week 7 ish.. I did not receive my welded timing gear or modified oil pump however. I paid for all of this in November of 2015.
Buy #4
(Present day)
Here I am again spending thousands like it was nothing. This time on a fully built head and related parts to be installed, water pump, head gasket and maybe a few other things. I bought this stuff on March 31, 2016 and I have not received any of it yet, however I am told it is done.
Buy #5
(Still present day)
I have recently purchased a new (bigger) turbo than my original S366.. I went with a BW SXE-369
.. Also purchased a custom intake manifold that Parts Guy has created for the 1jz (I'm doing a 1.5jz build), a throttle body and fuel rail. In the mean time, I had sent him my entire 1jz engine. I basically gave him my head in exchange for him using one of his own for my head build and he gave me $500 credit towards parts (which I used on my turbo) for my 1jz bottom end. Engine was 100%! In the same freight, I sent him my downpipe, manifold and dump tube to be redone properly. I sent this stuff about 1-2 weeks before I bought the stuff above. I was told it would take 3 weeks for him to complete my intake manifold. I would assume he would do the rest of my stuff in that time (or already be working on it) and send everything to me at once. The only thing I have received from anything I've bought in Buy #4 or Buy $5 would be my turbo... Which I found out was just a supercore.. My fault for not understanding, but I was a little upset about it because I now have more stuff in his hands to be completed.
So currently he has the following things of mine. The "3 week deadline" I was given for Buy #5 will be up on June 1, 2016.
- Fully built 1jz head (paid for on 3/30/16, Buy # 4)
- Modified Oil Pump (Paid for in November of 2015 in Buy #3)
- Welded Timing Gear (Paid for in November of 2015 in Buy #3)
- Head gasket (Buy #4)
- Water pump (Buy #4)
- Valvecovers (Sent these when I sent my engine in between Buy #4 & #5. They were to be coated black and have AN fittings welded on)
- Sensors from my 1jz block (I couldn't remove all of them, so he was going to and send them)
- Hotside to my turbo (Coated black, V-band welded on)
- Exhaust manifold (To be redone, sent with engine between Buy #4 and Buy #5)
- Wastegate dump tube (To be redone, sent with engine between Buy #4 and Buy #5)
- 3" to 4" downpipe (To be redone, sent with engine between Buy #4 and Buy #5)
- Custom Intake Manifold (Coated black, Buy #5)
- Fuel Rail (Buy #5)
- Throttle Body (Buy $5)
I haven't talked to Parts Guy much in the last 1.5 weeks to sort of keep my anger/anxiety at bay. He did message me yesterday to say all of my stuff will be done this week (on time). When I asked him what of mine he would be sending (just to verify we were on the same page), he never gave me an answer because he was "still waiting on stuff". So then I sent him the list I typed above and he replied with "I lied, I won't have all of that done".
So what do I do here? Be patient for 2-3+ more weeks until I have my stuff and just use a different person? He has said he is dealing with 5-7 other people at once, so he is busy...but that doesn't fly with me. I've always told him that if he was just honest with me, communicated, etc., I wouldn't have nearly as many issues. Someone somewhere has got to be a priority.. Not to boast or be too entitled, but I have literally spent thousand and thousands with this guy. In his defense, he has "held my hand" a bit with this build. Answering questions, helping me decide on parts, etc. Maybe this is part of being a "Parts Guy", maybe it isn't, I don't know. I'm a very customer service oriented person, so maybe I just expect to be served properly? He has also stated that my manfiold and downpipe will have to "come out of his pocket" for the 2nd time. First being when he went to jail and wasn't allowed to get my stuff.. Sure, that sucks... however, I'm the consumer, I already paid for something once and did not receive what I paid for. Hard for me to have empathy there.
In the end, it will suck if we part ways because he has been helpful.. But this is becoming too much and I at this point feel straight taken advantage of.
TL
R
I bought a bunch of stuff from someone and they are taking forever to finish it all, with little communication on what is actually being done and unsatisfactory work has been produced in the past. I am still waiting for parts from said person.
I will try to be as unbiased as possible here as I, for the first time, bring my "issues" to the public to get their opinion on the matter. If at any point it turns out that I'm just being a whiner or a terrible consumer, let me know, I'll cease all complaining and go apologize straight to my parts guy immediately.
For the time being, I'll keep his name anonymous. No reason to ruin a guys name or his little side enterprise for nothing... unless.
Trying to keep this short, sweet and simple: I am building my SC300 to the max (check my build thread!) and I needed a parts guy. I was recommended to "Parts Guy" by a few people, have heard good things and continue to see people recommend him to others, etc. In the beginning, I asked him hundreds of questions (and I still ask him quite a bit up until recently) as this was my first build. He set me up with a parts list to meet my goal and off I went to build the funds for all the parts!
Buy #1
Not too much longer, I dropped some cash to buy the following from him:
- Borg Warner S366, Billet FMF Wheel - The turbo was to be coated black and V-band welded on
- Exhaust Manifold - Was to be braced, planed, coated black and have a custom wastegate neck and dump tube made.
- Tial MVR 44mm Wastegate - In black as well as coated black
- 3" to 4" Downpipe - Coated black
Buy #2
I bought this stuff maybe 2 weeks later
Tial Q 50mm BoV - In black!
Mishimoto Radiator
I received the stuff from Buy #2 in a timely manner. Buy #1 was an entirely different story. Parts Guy was having someone else do all the welding and modifying of my turbo hot side, manifold and downpipe. He originally, if I remember correctly, told me it would take around 6 weeks to have everything completed. He sent me some updates here and there and the quality of work done to everything was fantastic. Really nice pie cuts done on the manifold, downpipe looked great, etc. Was excited to receive all of it . All the sudden, Parts Guys disappears for 3-4 days. Not a single returned text, message, nothing. Turns out he was accused of stealing at his (former) job, fired and sent to jail. I was told all of my parts except for my turbo and wastegate were in the shop when he was escorted out and he wasn't allowed to get any of it back. I called the shop owner and had a few conversations with him and to be honest, I never got anywhere. He knew nothing about my parts and either didn't want to or couldn't really seem to help me. He was pretty salty about one of his employees working for him as well as selling parts for himself on the side (out of this guys shop). So now Parts Guy has to recreate ALL of my stuff "out of his own money". To end the story with Buy #1, in the end it took 96 days for me to get my stuff. It would have been longer, except I went down to a car event way out of state for me, met up with him and picked my parts up in person.
I picked things up from him in a parking lot at night, didn't really thoroughly look things over (my fault), tossed everything in a box and loaded it in my truck. Wasn't until I got home did I see the quality of the work done. The wastegate and turbo were both coated professionally and looked very nice. The welded on V-band flange to my turbo was also well done. My manifold looked like crap. The wastegate neck was just a cut bent piece of tube with the wastegate flange welded at the end and then (crookedly) welded onto the manifold itself. It was also MIG welded... My downpipe was the same story. MIG weldedtogether, beads of the welds weren't flush and I even found some wire still stuck to the bead.... These parts were also supposed to be ceramic coated black. I'm not sure how its supposed to be, but I could run my nail over this "coating" to scratch it off and it looked an awful lot like high temp spray paint... Not exactly exciting after waiting 96 days and spending $2k+ on.
If you want to see the parts, check out pages 6 and 7 of my build thread. You will see how the parts were and eventually see what I actually received.
Parts Guy was apologetic and even bought me an ARP headstud kit for the trouble - A nice gesture.
Despite all of it, I decided to continue my loyalty to him. He's always answered my questions and provide the help when I needed it... for the most part. In fact, we typically had a good time with our conversations.
Buy #3
Decided to spend even more money on a fully built 2jz bottom end. Rods, pistons, bearings, mains studs.. the works as well as a welded timing gear and modified oil pump. He told me 6 weeks for this and to earn my trust again (seeing as I ended up spending twice what I did in Buy #1), he put a "late clause" in there stating that if he was late, he would personally buy my transmission. I didn't have anything to lose, so I went ahead with it. About 5 weeks and 5 days in, my bottom end was complete and I ended up receiving it around the middle of week 7 ish.. I did not receive my welded timing gear or modified oil pump however. I paid for all of this in November of 2015.
Buy #4
(Present day)
Here I am again spending thousands like it was nothing. This time on a fully built head and related parts to be installed, water pump, head gasket and maybe a few other things. I bought this stuff on March 31, 2016 and I have not received any of it yet, however I am told it is done.
Buy #5
(Still present day)
I have recently purchased a new (bigger) turbo than my original S366.. I went with a BW SXE-369
.. Also purchased a custom intake manifold that Parts Guy has created for the 1jz (I'm doing a 1.5jz build), a throttle body and fuel rail. In the mean time, I had sent him my entire 1jz engine. I basically gave him my head in exchange for him using one of his own for my head build and he gave me $500 credit towards parts (which I used on my turbo) for my 1jz bottom end. Engine was 100%! In the same freight, I sent him my downpipe, manifold and dump tube to be redone properly. I sent this stuff about 1-2 weeks before I bought the stuff above. I was told it would take 3 weeks for him to complete my intake manifold. I would assume he would do the rest of my stuff in that time (or already be working on it) and send everything to me at once. The only thing I have received from anything I've bought in Buy #4 or Buy $5 would be my turbo... Which I found out was just a supercore.. My fault for not understanding, but I was a little upset about it because I now have more stuff in his hands to be completed.So currently he has the following things of mine. The "3 week deadline" I was given for Buy #5 will be up on June 1, 2016.
- Fully built 1jz head (paid for on 3/30/16, Buy # 4)
- Modified Oil Pump (Paid for in November of 2015 in Buy #3)
- Welded Timing Gear (Paid for in November of 2015 in Buy #3)
- Head gasket (Buy #4)
- Water pump (Buy #4)
- Valvecovers (Sent these when I sent my engine in between Buy #4 & #5. They were to be coated black and have AN fittings welded on)
- Sensors from my 1jz block (I couldn't remove all of them, so he was going to and send them)
- Hotside to my turbo (Coated black, V-band welded on)
- Exhaust manifold (To be redone, sent with engine between Buy #4 and Buy #5)
- Wastegate dump tube (To be redone, sent with engine between Buy #4 and Buy #5)
- 3" to 4" downpipe (To be redone, sent with engine between Buy #4 and Buy #5)
- Custom Intake Manifold (Coated black, Buy #5)
- Fuel Rail (Buy #5)
- Throttle Body (Buy $5)
I haven't talked to Parts Guy much in the last 1.5 weeks to sort of keep my anger/anxiety at bay. He did message me yesterday to say all of my stuff will be done this week (on time). When I asked him what of mine he would be sending (just to verify we were on the same page), he never gave me an answer because he was "still waiting on stuff". So then I sent him the list I typed above and he replied with "I lied, I won't have all of that done".
So what do I do here? Be patient for 2-3+ more weeks until I have my stuff and just use a different person? He has said he is dealing with 5-7 other people at once, so he is busy...but that doesn't fly with me. I've always told him that if he was just honest with me, communicated, etc., I wouldn't have nearly as many issues. Someone somewhere has got to be a priority.. Not to boast or be too entitled, but I have literally spent thousand and thousands with this guy. In his defense, he has "held my hand" a bit with this build. Answering questions, helping me decide on parts, etc. Maybe this is part of being a "Parts Guy", maybe it isn't, I don't know. I'm a very customer service oriented person, so maybe I just expect to be served properly? He has also stated that my manfiold and downpipe will have to "come out of his pocket" for the 2nd time. First being when he went to jail and wasn't allowed to get my stuff.. Sure, that sucks... however, I'm the consumer, I already paid for something once and did not receive what I paid for. Hard for me to have empathy there.
In the end, it will suck if we part ways because he has been helpful.. But this is becoming too much and I at this point feel straight taken advantage of.
TL
RI bought a bunch of stuff from someone and they are taking forever to finish it all, with little communication on what is actually being done and unsatisfactory work has been produced in the past. I am still waiting for parts from said person.
05-25-16, 07:42 AM
#126
I've been in the "boosted" community for over 15 years, and I keep hearing the same stories. It even happened to me recently regarding a built motor. (That's why I asked you about the clearances on your motor). After receiving the machined parts over a year ago, I recently acquired the tools to measure all the clearances (piston-to-wall, taper, and bore) prior to assembly; and unfortunately, they're not even close. I haven't measured the crank clearances, yet, but I'm afraid the line bore is dorked up, too. Do I blame the machinist? Yes, but I didn't have the knowledge or the tools at the time to check his work upon receipt of the parts. So, it's really on me - one of the more expensive lessons I've learned over the years.
In my opinion, the bottom line is this; when it comes to fab/installation of aftermarket parts, it's really all on me as the owner of the car to insure the quality is up to standard. I really can't blame anyone else, but that's just me...
-scott
05-25-16, 07:55 AM
#127
Sorry to hear about your experience... Sadly, this is more the rule rather than the exception.
I've been in the "boosted" community for over 15 years, and I keep hearing the same stories. It even happened to me recently regarding a built motor. (That's why I asked you about the clearances on your motor). After receiving the machined parts over a year ago, I recently acquired the tools to measure all the clearances (piston-to-wall, taper, and bore) prior to assembly; and unfortunately, they're not even close. I haven't measured the crank clearances, yet, but I'm afraid the line bore is dorked up, too. Do I blame the machinist? Yes, but I didn't have the knowledge or the tools at the time to check his work upon receipt of the parts. So, it's really on me - one of the more expensive lessons I've learned over the years.
In my opinion, the bottom line is this; when it comes to fab/installation of aftermarket parts, it's really all on me as the owner of the car to insure the quality is up to standard. I really can't blame anyone else, but that's just me...
-scott
I've been in the "boosted" community for over 15 years, and I keep hearing the same stories. It even happened to me recently regarding a built motor. (That's why I asked you about the clearances on your motor). After receiving the machined parts over a year ago, I recently acquired the tools to measure all the clearances (piston-to-wall, taper, and bore) prior to assembly; and unfortunately, they're not even close. I haven't measured the crank clearances, yet, but I'm afraid the line bore is dorked up, too. Do I blame the machinist? Yes, but I didn't have the knowledge or the tools at the time to check his work upon receipt of the parts. So, it's really on me - one of the more expensive lessons I've learned over the years.
In my opinion, the bottom line is this; when it comes to fab/installation of aftermarket parts, it's really all on me as the owner of the car to insure the quality is up to standard. I really can't blame anyone else, but that's just me...
-scott
05-25-16, 08:04 AM
#128
Thanks,
-scott
Last edited by motorheaddown; 05-25-16 at 09:15 AM.
05-25-16, 08:11 AM
#129
No... I specifically asked the motor not be assembled. However, if you have the piston spec sheet, it should have the diameters all on pistons, and you can pretty much bet the pistons are within couple of tenths. Then, you'll need to zero a 3 - 4" micrometer to a 3" standard and zero the bore gauge to the mic. If you take the measurements without a torque plate, then the bore measurements could be off +/- 1/2 a thou. Then simply take multiple measurements to determine out-of-round and subtract out the piston diameter to determine piston-to-wall. Unfortunately, you probably won't get far enough down in the cylinder wall with the bore gauge to determine taper if it's already assembled.
Thanks,
-scott
Thanks,
-scott
If anything else turns up wrong, it'll probably show its face on break in.
Shane
06-01-16, 06:50 AM
#130
Update on my parts guy dilemmas.
Still nothing has been sent to me. I found out who ACTUALLY makes the intake manifolds and he isn't done either. He is also in China... I'm not sure what excuses my parts guy intended to use when It came to be that my manifold wasn't done in the time frame he gave me, plus the shipping time from the guy who makes it, to him, then to me. I messaged the guy who makes them directly and I'm having the manifold shipped directly to me... however the guy is quite rude himself. Surrounded by unhelpful people....
As far as my other stuff, I MIGHT get my head and some other parts shipped to me today, but I doubt it. Broken promise after broken promise. I was also informed that the modified oil pump I purchased back in November of 2015 was actually used for my parts guys personal car and he apparently "just bought me a new one" and is having it shipped to me.
From this point, it sounds like I'll slowly be getting shipped all of my stuff over a bunch of different shipments..
Not too happy.
Still nothing has been sent to me. I found out who ACTUALLY makes the intake manifolds and he isn't done either. He is also in China... I'm not sure what excuses my parts guy intended to use when It came to be that my manifold wasn't done in the time frame he gave me, plus the shipping time from the guy who makes it, to him, then to me. I messaged the guy who makes them directly and I'm having the manifold shipped directly to me... however the guy is quite rude himself. Surrounded by unhelpful people....
As far as my other stuff, I MIGHT get my head and some other parts shipped to me today, but I doubt it. Broken promise after broken promise. I was also informed that the modified oil pump I purchased back in November of 2015 was actually used for my parts guys personal car and he apparently "just bought me a new one" and is having it shipped to me.
From this point, it sounds like I'll slowly be getting shipped all of my stuff over a bunch of different shipments..
Not too happy.
06-01-16, 12:08 PM
#132
I have started a slow communication line with them because I want them to tune my car. The personal problem I have is that this is a first build for me, so I'll have a handful of questions and I don't want to be a pest. I wish I had a contact over there though!
06-14-16, 06:03 AM
#133
Some good updates and some bad.
on 6/1/2016, I had stated I "might get parts sent to me"... Well, here we are 13 days later and nothing has been sent. My parts guy has been "waiting on a truck".. So either my stuff isn't done, or I'm just not a priority. I paid for my head and all parts 76 days ago and it's been completely apparently for quite awhile. I sent him extra stuff 61 days ago, no word on any of that. At this point, it's taking longer to receive parts than it is to earn the money to buy said parts. Such is life.
Onto some good news!
Got my Fluidampr Crank Pulley in the other day. This thing is beefy!
Got my order from DriftMotion in as well. Nothing incredibly special here, just an expensive box full of every seal, gasket, o-ring and all the other stuff I'll need to complete my longblock. Probably the most notable part would by my PHR Billet Timing Belt Tensioner. Really nice quality part! Not worried about this breaking. Needless to say, I'm getting more and more confident about my final product being bulletproof!
And then finally, after a 6 week wait I received my intake manifold, throttle body and fuel rail.
First and foremost: The most important part being the plenum itself - It looks great, as do all of the welds. Inside and out, I'm pretty happy with it. Also included was a throttle body, fuel rail and all related hardware. It's a nice completed kit, but I'm pretty sure the only thing this individual makes is the complete plenum himself. Unsure on the brand of the throttle body or fuel rail, but both look good. I ask for everything anodized in black to go along with my engine bay theme!
As far as recommending this guy to others, I'm on the fence. His product seems to be good, but his customer service and support isn't that great. Despite him being rude in other short conversations, I had asked him for some install instructions or a diagram as I was having trouble fitting the fuel rail or trying to figure out what bolts went where. His response was: "... call a professional mechanic, they know what they are doing". I'm trying to learn myself as this is a first build for me, but what a **** thing to say. Anyway, turns out they sent me the wrong fuel rail.... So my struggles were for a reason. Aside from that, I had it right!
on 6/1/2016, I had stated I "might get parts sent to me"... Well, here we are 13 days later and nothing has been sent. My parts guy has been "waiting on a truck".. So either my stuff isn't done, or I'm just not a priority. I paid for my head and all parts 76 days ago and it's been completely apparently for quite awhile. I sent him extra stuff 61 days ago, no word on any of that. At this point, it's taking longer to receive parts than it is to earn the money to buy said parts. Such is life.
Onto some good news!
Got my Fluidampr Crank Pulley in the other day. This thing is beefy!
Got my order from DriftMotion in as well. Nothing incredibly special here, just an expensive box full of every seal, gasket, o-ring and all the other stuff I'll need to complete my longblock. Probably the most notable part would by my PHR Billet Timing Belt Tensioner. Really nice quality part! Not worried about this breaking. Needless to say, I'm getting more and more confident about my final product being bulletproof!
And then finally, after a 6 week wait I received my intake manifold, throttle body and fuel rail.
First and foremost: The most important part being the plenum itself - It looks great, as do all of the welds. Inside and out, I'm pretty happy with it. Also included was a throttle body, fuel rail and all related hardware. It's a nice completed kit, but I'm pretty sure the only thing this individual makes is the complete plenum himself. Unsure on the brand of the throttle body or fuel rail, but both look good. I ask for everything anodized in black to go along with my engine bay theme!
As far as recommending this guy to others, I'm on the fence. His product seems to be good, but his customer service and support isn't that great. Despite him being rude in other short conversations, I had asked him for some install instructions or a diagram as I was having trouble fitting the fuel rail or trying to figure out what bolts went where. His response was: "... call a professional mechanic, they know what they are doing". I'm trying to learn myself as this is a first build for me, but what a **** thing to say. Anyway, turns out they sent me the wrong fuel rail.... So my struggles were for a reason. Aside from that, I had it right!
06-14-16, 07:50 AM
#135
The "spine" of the plenum has a weld through it, so the plenum itself is 2-piece. The runners are also much longer than the eBay version and don't need the factory lower intake parts. This one also doesn't have v-stacks on the inside like the eBay ones. Shape is different, mine is a little more slim. Trust me, I did a lot of looking at eBay ones to ensure I wasn't being sold some "rebranded" garbage at a premium.
Unless there is a different eBay manifold you're talking about? I searched "1jz intake manifold" there and pretty much all of them are the same.
What I REALLY want to figure out is the volume of my plenum. Science says for proper flow and use, plenums need to have a specific ratio of volume/displacement of engine to work more efficiently. Pretty sure its near 1.5 liters of volume in the plenum per liter of displacement of engine.
Shane