New shop needed

[tfreer85]

I need a new shop to finish the work on my car. I was told a 7 week completion time for my Z it is now bordering 3 months with less that 1/4 the work done. I want it be as close to the central valley as possible, but if a highly recommended shop or decent price will increase the distance. What i need done is:

 

Entire car re-wiring

Fuel System plumbing front to back

Dual exhaust

EMS tuning

Interior installed

Flares properly installed

Minor Body Welding

 

Any suggestions on shops or anyone willing to do the work with a shop is a big plus. As I've found previous Z-car experience is a MUST. Thanks,

[johnc]

I can do the work but it will take 3 months...

 

Unfortunately, these kinds of project always take longer then estimated. Its not like a regular mechanical job where a service writer can look at a Mitchell manual and get the flat rate.

[tfreer85]

That I understand John, to be honest you'd be my dream shop to have work on it. You have z-car racing, modifying experience out to yazoo. Don't get me wrong on this next comment cause I know you always get what you pay for. But you're out of my price range. Here's how the car sits now:

 

 

Only thing that has changed is that the rear flares are mounted, though they don't look right. I know you had rough estimated around 12-15k iirc. My problem is the guy is shifting money, i.e. I'm paying him to get my parts, and he's buying tools first then my parts, not too mention He's stretching himself too thin over too many vehicles.

 

Tyson

[johnc]

My problem is the guy is shifting money, i.e. I'm paying him to get my parts, and he's buying tools first then my parts, not too mention He's stretching himself too thin over too many vehicles.

 

I've learned that this is common in the hot rod, auto modification industry. Its basically a death spiral for a company once they start using one customer's money to get work done on another customer's car.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbing_Peter_to_pay_Paul

[Filmjay]

Wow. I really hate it for ya. Especially with that bitchin' motor just sitting there. Nice intake btw. But, I DO know what it feels like. I had a fender bender repair turn into a 14 month transmission replacement in my Aurora before...and that was from a dealership. After many legal woes later..I finally brought the car home...and will more than likely be using the Northstar for my Z. That's when I became a HUGE proponent of doing it yourself.

 

In three months, you could have probably learned to do most of the stuff yourself though. Personally, I'd bring her home and start DIY'ing.

 

For you, the rewiring wouldn't be that hard...just time consuming. And the fuel system would be the same. For the rest, there is PLENTY of shared knowledge here just waiting to be unlocked with the Search button.

[aziza z]

Wow. I really hate it for ya. Especially with that bitchin' motor just sitting there. Nice intake btw. But, I DO know what it feels like. I had a fender bender repair turn into a 14 month transmission replacement in my Aurora before...and that was from a dealership. After many legal woes later..I finally brought the car home...and will more than likely be using the Northstar for my Z. That's when I became a HUGE proponent of doing it yourself.

 

In three months, you could have probably learned to do most of the stuff yourself though. Personally, I'd bring her home and start DIY'ing.

 

For you, the rewiring wouldn't be that hard...just time consuming. And the fuel system would be the same. For the rest, there is PLENTY of shared knowledge here just waiting to be unlocked with the Search button.

 

I agree with DIY.

 

Only out source work that absolutely needs to be done by someone else. If its not having time thats the problem then do what I do. Either work really late night, or really early morning. I only try to get one thing done a day. And it usually ends up that when you start with one thing you move to another and then another. Before you know it things are getting done fast.

[Rustyfriend]

Does anyone know of anything in the legal system that this guy can use? This just seems very wrong.

 

I had a very similar scenario happen to me last fall during a supercharger install. Was quoted at $1800 and a week and a half of labor. It turned into 5 weeks, a failed install, and me bringing the car home for some DIY

[dr_hunt]

Does anyone know of anything in the legal system that this guy can use? This just seems very wrong.

 

I had a very similar scenario happen to me last fall during a supercharger install. Was quoted at $1800 and a week and a half of labor. It turned into 5 weeks, a failed install, and me bringing the car home for some DIY

 

You are hijacking the thread. His question was is there another shop as he wants to find one.

[johnc]

As I've found previous Z-car experience is a MUST.

 

I tend to disagree with this. A competent shop with a Datsun FSM (supplied by the customer - hint, hint) can do 92.35% of the work required to create a Hybrid Z. This isn't rocket science.

[tfreer85]

I can't DIY even though I wish I could is literally no time. I work 100+ hr work week. Legal action just sounds like more headache than its worth.

 

While I agree with you John, a competetant shop could easily do the work, its not that hard. Its a matter of having provided both Datsun and JCI manuals, plus bolt kits etc. etc. etc. all to the builder then having him call me complaining a part doesn't fit, when in the manual it tells you what you need to do. While it may not be a MUST, lets just say in my preference I would prefer STRONGLY. The guy does good work, for his cars and for certain types of cars, but is lost when it comes to an old Z.

 

I'll have to see if I can allot more for a budget for you to do thinks John. I know I've talked to you about this car before. But this just might be the kicker with this other guy. BTW what does FSM stand for?

[RTz]

BTW what does FSM stand for?

 

Factory Service Manual.

[palosfv3]

Your comment about JohnC being your dream shop and him being out of your price range needs to be discussed. If this was your first choice whats really holding you back ? Just think about what has happened so far. Would you be further ahead if you started with him or a qualified professional competitor from the begining .Your current dilema is routinely expierienced by many undertaking the rebuilding ,modification, restoration of an specialty car . Just by looking at many of the parts you have installed on your car it appears you are intent on building a quality car and this will take even a qualified individual a significant amount of time. Looking at your posted pics you have quite away to go. Whats your expectation of the finished car and what do you want to contribute to the effort ? This question goes a long way into discovering what the completion of the work will be in time, cost and needs to be reviewed before you go any further. Whats your budget for the project ? Dont be afraid to discuss this with your shop professional. If you cant trust the shop in this type of discussion , can you trust him to complete the work? You need to look hard at what options are available and chart the course that gives you the best value for your time and money. Were currently finishing up a 260z ls conversion and if I told you what was in this car I'd be flamed off the site. But the owner understood his limitations and advantages , what he wanted for an end product and what it was worth to him . This project has taken approximately 15 months and was worked on consistently and done to a very high standard. Drop me a pm if you need to discuss anything about what is the best way through the situation.

 

Best regards

[johnc]

It may help to sit down with your existing shop's owner and ask him what the issues are and how you might be able to help. A sympathetic customer might get more of the shop owner's time and attention. There is a learning curve on a car the builder has no experience with. Some shop owners don't want to deal with new stuff and prefer the the cookie cutter approach - which makes a lot more sense profit wise.

 

Is your issue the quality of the work, the lack of progress, poor communication, or all of the above?

[ckolander]

I know of 2 shops in that area that I'm gonna try to find the info for, are you looking for engine or body work, all I know is specialists(is that spelled right?)

Tolentino's Auto Repair

 

539 E Chestnut Ave

Tulare, CA 93274 Map

• (559) 688-0452

This is a pretty good mechanic and if you talk to him(Rodrigo, spanish only) or his son(David, bilingual), and tell them that Charles the guy with the red datsun 280zx referred you, he will more than likely give you half off on labor. That's what he did for me, I was referred by someone else. I just moved away from Visalia and I used him for all my auto work for about 3 years.

I can't remember the name of the body guy that I knew but I'll call a friend and find out. He's not cheap, but oh god does he do nice work.

[JSM]

It may help to sit down with your existing shop's owner and ask him what the issues are and how you might be able to help. A sympathetic customer might get more of the shop owner's time and attention. There is a learning curve on a car the builder has no experience with. Some shop owners don't want to deal with new stuff and prefer the the cookie cutter approach - which makes a lot more sense profit wise.

 

Is your issue the quality of the work, the lack of progress, poor communication, or all of the above?

 

I can't help you find a shop, but when I was going through this w/ my Jeep I was the super customer John describes above. It did nothing for me.

 

I ended up investing 8500 to dump the whole Jeep for 2500 just to get it out of my sight. I was very bummed. Mine ended up being all of the above: poor progress, bad communication and the quality sucked!. Two months into sitting in my garage paint just literally started falling off.

[tfreer85]

Is your issue the quality of the work, the lack of progress, poor communication, or all of the above?

 

Quality work: Ok

Progress: Poor

Communication: Poor

 

I've tried stopping by twice a week, once a week, tried being buddy buddy, tried being purely business. I don't like paying X amount of dollars for Y part and have him not have the part because he spent my money on his Mac Tool bill. If I'm paying him for parts, I want to see the parts next to or being installed on my car. Idk maybe I'll just bring it home, I've got my own aparment with garage, majority of work I couldn't do has been done. I'm just aggravated and would rather, get out earlier than be too late and drop more money into it without being completely satisfied.

[johnc]

I'm just aggravated and would rather, get out earlier than be too late and drop more money into it without being completely satisfied.

 

Its time to get the car out of the shop. Make a list of the parts you've paid for and ensure you have them in your hands. If not, give the owner a due date for delivery of those parts.

[srgunz]

I've learned that this is common in the hot rod, auto modification industry. Its basically a death spiral for a company once they start using one customer's money to get work done on another customer's car.

 

 

Correct, most of these types of shops have poor cash flow due to too many long term projects. Your money too often funds other needs. Do what John says and retrieve your car asap. Stop the bleeding.

[PanzerAce]

Unfortunately the only shop I know of that could help is the Z Car Garage in San Jose, but that's to far for you I'm guessing, and last I heard he was pretty backed up.

 

If I was closer I'd help a DIY project.

[jc052685]

Unfortunately the only shop I know of that could help is the Z Car Garage in San Jose, but that's to far for you I'm guessing, and last I heard he was pretty backed up.

 

If I was closer I'd help a DIY project.

 

Rob Fuller....Yes

 

Z Car Garage FTW!!!

 

My buddy used to work there, sort of. Worked for the owner anyway. Rob Fuller used to be the shop manager over at Scott Performance. That is where my buddy worked. Said the quallity was top notch....perfect every time. Nothing has changed from what I have heard.

 

http://www.turbomagazine.com/features/0803_turp_1970_datsun_240z/index.html