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Well, I made a fair bit of progress this weekend, fuel system is 99% complete, only waiting on the bracket for my fuel filter, everything else is complete. New coolant hoses/ grommets showed up as well, so I was able to get the heater core back in and hoses installed, as well as the thermostat side of the coolant re route along with getting it mounted to the intake manifold. I was looking at purchasing a new upper timing cover due to my other ones being all grimey and old, instead a friend showed me a spray designed specifically for automotive plastics that I used and the end result turned out better than expected. A few other little odds and ends got sorted out as well. I also need another nut/ bolt for an additional clamp at the coolant hose where it mounts to the manifold. All in all it was a productive weekend, and my to-do list is progressively getting smaller.
After having everything in place, and seeing the way the wire loom looks, I have decided to re loom it all with a more aesthetically pleasing woven loom, so that is the task for this week/ weekend once the loom arrives.
Said loom- F6 Woven Wrap Around Braided Sleeving
Out of curiosity, what made you decide to go with the Fab9 setup versus the TSE setup? This is exactly where I was wanting to go with my build, but I honestly can't chose between the two. Aesthetically, the Fab9 setup is more appealing to me, but the durability of it is what concerns me. With the TSE kit, you get a cast piece that isn't as aesthetically appealing to me personally, but seems like it would hold up better over time to the abuse. Price wise, they're both in the same ballpark, but hardware wise, differ somewhat immensely. How would you rate the build quality of what you received from Fab9? Do you think it will stand the test of time?
Out of curiosity, what made you decide to go with the Fab9 setup versus the TSE setup? This is exactly where I was wanting to go with my build, but I honestly can't chose between the two. Aesthetically, the Fab9 setup is more appealing to me, but the durability of it is what concerns me. With the TSE kit, you get a cast piece that isn't as aesthetically appealing to me personally, but seems like it would hold up better over time to the abuse. Price wise, they're both in the same ballpark, but hardware wise, differ somewhat immensely. How would you rate the build quality of what you received from Fab9? Do you think it will stand the test of time?
Aesthetics aside, keep in mind that this setup locks you into the larger A/R v-band housing. That's not a problem for OP since he's running a 7163, but on a 6258, the larger A/R is not at all what you want.
There are several other reasons I think you should go with my parts, but I won't clutter OP's build thread. Contact me directly for my thoughts.
Out of curiosity, what made you decide to go with the Fab9 setup versus the TSE setup? This is exactly where I was wanting to go with my build, but I honestly can't chose between the two. Aesthetically, the Fab9 setup is more appealing to me, but the durability of it is what concerns me. With the TSE kit, you get a cast piece that isn't as aesthetically appealing to me personally, but seems like it would hold up better over time to the abuse. Price wise, they're both in the same ballpark, but hardware wise, differ somewhat immensely. How would you rate the build quality of what you received from Fab9? Do you think it will stand the test of time?
This is about to get interesting-
I purchased this kit almost a year before TSE released their kit, so that had pretty much everything to do with my decision, the direction of this build has changed significantly along the way. As far as the build quality, I have had numerous different cast and tubular manifolds before and as far as the manifold itself goes, its solid quality, I cannot speak for longevity/performance of the kit since I haven't even started the car yet, however there was fitment issues with my downpipe, and from what ive read and been told by Bryan (Owner of Fab9) himself I am not the only one who has had this issue. The downpipe actually made contact with the steering shaft, which was shown not too long ago in this thread, however Bryan did take the DP back and make the adjustments needed (basically put it into a press and pushed it in to make clearance) at no cost to me. Additionally, in my opinion there should be a flex pipe where the external wastegate connects to the downpipe to allow flexibility of the whole assemblies fitment.
TSE's kit is a much more solid solution for almost every type of build, there are already more TSE kits running on Miatas than there are FAB9s kits, not to mention you get WAYYYYY better customer service when shopping through TSE.
To be completely honest, Bryan will never see another dollar of mine nor will I suggest anyone to shop with him, during the time of me exchanging my 6258 for my 7163 he quoted me an amount for the exchange, he sent me a shipping label and I bugged him day in and day out to confirm the amount I owed him for the exchange prior to sending it out, he said something along the line of "the price I quoted you is good, im on my way to the office and will triple check, just go ahead and send it out". So I did and literally not even 5 minutes after I sent the product out and send him the shipping confirmation he told me I owed him about $200 more than what he quoted me after blowing me off for almost a week. We bickered back and forth, I explained how he shafted me, he denied it, blah blah blah, He then told me "well I owe you one" I said cool. Time came for me to attempt to cash in that IOU and ive not heard from him in longer than I care to admit despite him saying he would like to help out. I had planned to keep majority of that to myself, however I figured this is an acceptable time to share, Bryan may produce one of only two EFR turbo kits for the community, and I may own one of his, however if you are stuck between the two, Fab9s kit is not even an option, the only real option is Savingtons kit over at TSE, if for nothing else, customer service.
IMO that coolant clamp may pinch your coolant hose if you ever have some wheel hop
That clamp is a clamp used for industrial hydraulic systems, I sincerely doubt its going anywhere, I am also adding an additional one directly next to it, primarily for symmetry lol
I purchased this kit almost a year before TSE released their kit, so that had pretty much everything to do with my decision, the direction of this build has changed significantly along the way. As far as the build quality, I have had numerous different cast and tubular manifolds before and as far as the manifold itself goes, its solid quality, I cannot speak for longevity/performance of the kit since I haven't even started the car yet, however there was fitment issues with my downpipe, and from what ive read and been told by Bryan (Owner of Fab9) himself I am not the only one who has had this issue.
/Rant
I did see in the thread where you ran into the DP issue which was why I asked you about the build quality. I don't agree with his "fix" that he did for you, but whatever. I appreciate your honest opinions and feedback.
Your build is coming along great, man. You've got me considering a lot more work than I intended to do when I pulled the motor, simply based on your bay cleanup alone. I look forward to seeing it all come together.
To be completely honest, Bryan will never see another dollar of mine nor will I suggest anyone to shop with him
Im glad someone feels the same way. His customer service is the absolute worst I have ever seen. And ive spent a lot of stupid money on my car but he will never see another dollar of mine. I have a lot of stories about my struggles with him but the best one was when he emailed me back a picture of an X ray of his spine to somehow show me why he wasnt replying to me or fixing my fitment issues. How professional!
I chose to have a divorced EWG because I also saw a possible failure point where it got recirculated. When I do have it recirculated someday, A flex joint will be added. And the wg pipe will enter the dp in a tear drop shaped hole for alltheflow
Thank you for the honest review as it's important to understand what really happens as to not misguide folks in the future. Much respect. very poscat.
Absolutely, I initially did not want to throw it all out there like this, however I gave @FAB ample time to reply to my attempt to cash in said IOU and it went nowhere. He saw all of my message attempts on FB, but I am sure he has some silly excuse as he always does. I was possibly one of his most patient and understanding customers, but don't tell someone that you owe them and then ignore their attempts to cash in said favor.
And to lownslow, he fed me the same "im in the emergency room here is my x-ray to prove it" excuse as well, which yes, got some sympathy, but is still not the most professional of ways to go about things. This type of behavior from him is going to define his lack of future success. This industry is not for everyone.
Thanks for finally posting up your Fab experience. I am another small vendor and I am absolutely scared shitless of the day that I get injured and can't work on customers stuff. The one thing I will do though is reach out to all the customers that are waiting for orders to let them know as soon as I can. All my customers will say that I may be slow getting things out the door, but I won't ever slack on communication with them about what all is going on.
Thanks for finally posting up your Fab experience. I am another small vendor and I am absolutely scared shitless of the day that I get injured and can't work on customers stuff. The one thing I will do though is reach out to all the customers that are waiting for orders to let them know as soon as I can. All my customers will say that I may be slow getting things out the door, but I won't ever slack on communication with them about what all is going on.
awhile back I was going to post my complete fab9 experience but its not worth my time or energy (bryan already wasted it all lol)
I say dont worry about your situation compared to fab9s. "wolves dont lose sleep over the opinion of sheep." its all about customer service, and fab9 has none
Absolutely, I initially did not want to throw it all out there like this, however I gave @FAB ample time to reply to my attempt to cash in said IOU and it went nowhere. He saw all of my message attempts on FB, but I am sure he has some silly excuse as he always does. I was possibly one of his most patient and understanding customers, but don't tell someone that you owe them and then ignore their attempts to cash in said favor.
And to lownslow, he fed me the same "im in the emergency room here is my x-ray to prove it" excuse as well, which yes, got some sympathy, but is still not the most professional of ways to go about things. This type of behavior from him is going to define his lack of future success. This industry is not for everyone.
Damn.......
The one thing I do know following over several boards is he did have a pretty nasty spill on his motorcycle and was in pretty rough shape for a few weeks there around the later part of summer. Not in his defense, but I have been following as well. Nothing that falls off a motorcycle at speed ever ends well sadly :(
Either way, just glad this is behind you and the car is coming together nicely! I still need to cash in on the "IOU" and drive out to see the car
Thanks for finally posting up your Fab experience. I am another small vendor and I am absolutely scared shitless of the day that I get injured and can't work on customers stuff. The one thing I will do though is reach out to all the customers that are waiting for orders to let them know as soon as I can. All my customers will say that I may be slow getting things out the door, but I won't ever slack on communication with them about what all is going on.
Im of the mindset that communication is key, I have helped a few small auto companies get off the ground on a few different platforms, so I personally understand the struggle of being under manned. However that is not the customers fault, but me being me, and understanding what he was going through, I afforded him plenty of opportunities that non understanding customers may not have. With that said, injuries happen, they are called accidents for a reason. One can only be patient for so long before they speak out on the continuous empty promises and poor customer service from a particular company.
BUT, on a positive note, tonight I will be mounting up my intercooler, measuring the pipes to be cut/ welded, welding in the bung for my IAT sensor, running the wiring for my flex fuel sensor, and tidying up other odds n ends.
Additionally, can someone remove Fab9 from my thread title please, not going to promote him any further with the fruits of my personal labor.
12-05-2016, 08:00 AM
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