In the case of a auto to manual kit, don't forget your paying for a new 30lbs billet flywheel, HD clutch (rated at 600ft/lbs) and bellhousing and driveshaft/yoke assembly, this stuff isn't cheap. You could have your driveshaft shortened, but my old driveshaft required weights to balance. The new driveshaft doesn't require balancing because of the modern materials and methods used in manufacturing and it's lighter and rated for 1200ft/lbs of torque. You're getting more for your money than what you see at first glance. They also blueprint the box and re-rate it up 50ft/lbs to 650.

I will say though that what they charged for that refurbished clutch/brake pedal assembly was outrageous.

 

I had my driveshaft shortened and balanced and they didn't use weights; and it didn't cost an arm and a leg. What it comes down to is some people like searching for the right parts they need, researching to see what will and will not work. This makes them appreciate the end result more. Some people would rather buy a kit with all the parts, good directions and install it without the aggravation of hunting for what they need. Neither is wrong. I'm a dinosaur and believe that all these car parts are overpriced; but if I want them I have to fork out the dough to play. I believe that if a person is willing to pay the high prices for these kits they should get the highest quality parts on the market (that is what they are claiming), they should get the best service in the industry (that is what they are claiming), and the fact is is, more often than not, the service is substandard, they wait for backordered parts, some parts never come, and some calls are never answered. That is why some of us like to do it the hard way when possible; we have only one person to blame when it is wrong--ourselves. No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes; but when you are in the customer service business it shouldn't take forever to understand what it takes to satisfy even your most critical customer. We have some vendors that have never had a bad thing said about them, you can figure out who they are. If I were a vendor that couldn't seem to please the majority of my customers, I would want to know what I'm doing wrong; and possibly check with those vendors who seem to always do it right. If you don't care or aren't interested, you will always be critized by those who don't receive the goods and service promised.
Bernie

 

Regardless of the money spent or who it is spent with, people who are dissatisfied with "kitted" products fall into two groups:

1) Those who have packaging problems (wrong parts, missing parts, etc.)

2) Those that have issue with the installed unit.

I see a LOT more people who have issue with the first problem. The answer to the first problem is inventory! Ask yourself, "If I had a company who's only criticisms seemed to be that my kits were incomplete or had bad instructions or etc., how could I fix it? Who will fix it? Answer: Investment (in parts and people), it FIXES all inventory problems!

 

BBShark,
It isn't rocket science is it?!
Bernie

 

Judging by his name and the videos I've seen of him the owner appears to have middle eastern origins and might have some different philosophies on how to run a business. If this is true it may from our point of view explain why there are obvious faults with the company's practices, I'm just guessing.

However, we all know that if you want to compete successfully in a game you need to play by it's rules.

 

It certainly is not. A small part of my work involves evaluating product offerings and marketing strategies for clients. I see real problems all the time, ones that have no easy solution. If people were not happy with their Tremec conversion, that would be a problem. However I believe the vast majority are happy with the conversion. The solution for this particular problem is among the easiest to fix but somehow many companies fail to recognise the problem. This all comes down to money. How much money will you spend on sales support, engineering and technical support (proper instructions, etc.), inventory (so that you have components on hand)?

It is difficult for the decision makers in these kind of companies to fix these problems because they are "making money in spite of themselves". Why help your customers when people are lined up to buy you product? This type of thinking will result in business failure. Other companies, with better products will jump into the market as I believe is happening in this case. Also, as Norval stated, everyone has access to the components to do this and for less money. The kit approach is a good idea and people will spend extra money for the convenience but the kit MUST be complete, all parts, correct parts, instructions, etc.

I have belonged to this forum for 2 1/2 years and these parts/installation problems do not seem to go away. The fix, once again, is not rocket science.

 

Economics 101....you charge what the market will bear.

 

One of our problems is the market will pay more than the parts are really worth. I will not unless there is no other alternative. A used pedal assembly refurbished by myself is less than $100.00 I see TKO's in the $1,200 to $1,700 range often. A used bellhousing is from $50 to $100. The kits are worth more but I'm one of those not willing to to pay too much for anything.
Bernie

 

Well I looked locally for an 11" used bell with no luck. I turned to ebay and good used "621" bells at the time were going for around $200.

 

Yea well this little bit of the market has a long term memory. I remember buying an air powered vacuum pump from JC Whitney many years ago, cost about $65. It was just a little red box with some pipe fittings inside. Harbor freight sells 'em for $10. Never bought from Whitney again.

Don't make the market mad.