10/16/2003, 10/23/203
Took my baby into FPS this morning. Interesting experience. The trip over was uneventful. The car shifted "OK" and got me to Atlanta with no trouble. I left about 5:00am (AL time) and got to FPS about 7:30am (GA time). Took it nice and easy and got there in one piece.
The FPS crew was already there and I got to talk to Larry face to face (nice kid). We talked about a lot of things relating to the new transmission and the cam weld. I got to see a car all taken apart and welded. It was a red '97 with 85,000 miles on the odometer. I'm no welder, but these welds looked REALLY good. I can see now, what really happens to the cams. Larry showed me a camshaft that had spun. The chain sprocket was simply ornamental and would spin like a hamster wheel on the shaft. I asked Larry some pointed questions about the welding. I asked about warranty. He told me that there was no warranty what-so-ever on this repair. He said this is really an experimental repair
procedure that they came up with. He said they've done several hundred and have only had a couple of problems...mostly in the
steep part of the learning curve. I specifically asked about weld splatter. He told me that Doug does all the welding and covers everything up with wet shop rags except the area being welded. He said that there is splatter that can cause problems, but as long as it doesn't get in the valve bucket area it wouldn't cause any problems. They do the welds, start the
engine and run it for a min or so, then change the oil right away. This gives the engine a chance to clean itself. I mentioned the pictures on the net and he said there have been no problems "post-weld". He did agree to put in a magnetic drain plug on my request.
There was also a black '96 there with TX plates. It had a cam failure and was being repaired. It was very interesting to see the whole power train sitting on jack stands with the car suspended overhead.
Larry also showed me my new tranny. It was on the bench and ready to be installed. We talked for some time and I got a warmer fuzzier feeling about leaving my car there for such major surgery. The price is a little heavy, but I
believe I've made the right choice.
Strangely enough, Doug wasn't there. Larry said he was coming in later and that we'd get to go for a ride when the car was done.
I'll keep everyone posted...
Jim
White '99
Birmingham
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Part Deaux
OK, the results are in.
This thing rocks!
I went to pick up my car from FPS and got to meet Doug. We went for a road test...a frightening experience.
We looked over the car and talked a while about the transmission and the cam weld job. Doug told me about what he does inside the transmission and how the welds "defuse the ticking time bomb". After which, we took a test drive. When Connie told me that seatbelts were a good idea, I wasn't really sure what she was talking about...yet. Doug drove down to a twisty curvy road. He said he likes to feel what the suspension is doing under the car. Apparently, mine was in great shape. I really couldn't tell because I was holding on too tightly to notice...(BG). Then we took a blast out on the freeway. Starting from a stop, we took off down the on ramp and merged into traffic at about 100mph. He left his foot on the floor and waited until the tranny shifted into 4th gear...about 120mph. The shifts were nice and firm. Not too hard, not too soft and they all felt the same...firm and quick. When you're easy on the gas, the shifts are smooth, then when you accelerate hard, the shifts are harder as well.
Overall, the car accelerated better and had a more classy feel. It actually feels faster. I don't know if that's from cleaning the runners or from the new plugs...really doesn't matter. I now have a lot more confidence in what I'm driving. The car feels better and that makes me happy.
The bill was just a little over $4200 and right on the estimate. The service was friendly, on time and on budget. Hard to find that these days and I highly recommend them.
Jim
White '99
Borla
FPS Welds
FPS Trans
Birmingham