When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I thought it would be appropriate to provide some feedback regarding my recent experiences with Bret. I live in WY, and of course, he is in TX.
After an awful experience at RMCR in CO, which resulted in a blown motor that destroyed even the block, I was done with my car. I got only 1500 miles out of my car after an A&A kit was installed/tuned by RMCR before the destruction happened. I put my car away for 2 months, so as to not make any emotional decisions about keeping or fixing her. My wife and I live a debt free life, so borrowing money was never an option. Bret, not knowing me in any fashion, reached out to me on the forums in the summer of 2017. We spoke on the phone a few times, he helped me understand my options, costs, etc. which include simply selling the car. I have two jobs and 3 kids under the age of 4, thus my priority is not my C5 Z06 that had only 23K miles on it when it let go. I was 80%sell 10%fix 10%do nothing and let her sit.
As in any healthy marriage, my wife and I made the tough decision together to fix the car, which would mean a cash only fix. She wanted the car fixed more than I did. I was truly done with the car after being ripped off by RMCR in CO. I needed someone I could trust, someone that would communicate with me, someone that would explain things to me, and someone that would look out for my best interest. I did not/do not have the time or knowledge to fix a destroyed motor. Although I am willing to learn, the phase in my at this time doesn't allow for the time to get into something so heavy. Bret was the only person that was open to talking to me at my level of understanding, and understood a very simple concept that few vendors understand:
HE IS NOT IN THE CAR BUSINESS, BUT THE PEOPLE BUSINESS!
I had my car loaded and tailored to TX from WY. His communication with me throughout the next several months was exceptional. This communication included how many customers were in front of me, any interruptions with parts being ordered/delivered, delays due to finding other problems (such as the block being unusable), my goals, and explanations of my options which included pros/cons of these options. Lastly, he explained to me how things worked, why he does things the way he does, and provided me with an overall learning experience that was understood by someone that doesn't share his depth of knowledge. I could call him at 7am or 11pm and he would be available. Due to his excellent custom service, I tried to be the best customer I could be by being flexible and understanding given he has many customers, especially during racing season, when I myself do not race my car.
Probably the greatest aspect of my experience with Bret was the friendship I developed with him over the months. We had/have several conversations that would last 1hr + that had nothing to do with cars. Some of our conversations really required trust and honesty from both sides. I found this with Bret and this type of integrity carried over into his customer service and work completed on my car.
Now, I have my car back and Bret, I love you man! He is an awesome person and Vette expert. I know I am repeating what many of you already know, but coming from a guy that didn't know WTF to do when this adventure started, as well as a guy from WY working with a guy far away from TX, I felt it important for this community to know of my exceptional experience. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to PM about my experience.
In the end, this was results:
Prior to Bret's work:
RMCR destroyed my O2 senors
RMCR lacked any attention to detail with their work and I can give several examples
RMCR's tune was so poor it resulted in the destruction of my motor
611/532 and it lasted 1500 miles before it let go
Post Bret's work:
Iron Block stock displacement, stock heads, stock intake/TB
Stock crank/K2 rods/Wiesco Pistons w/custom rings
Custom Cam
Headers/Exhaust
Back to 3.42 gears
Replaced leaking tranny
e85
Ti-Trim
769rwhp/610rwtq
Safe reliable tune and should last awhile.
Thanks Bret for making 150rwhp+ more power than RMCR on a milder tune. Thanks for the exceptional customer service. Thanks for the friendship brother!
Oh man, and I cannot forget, Bret picked me up at the airport when I flew down to get my car and took me to Pecan Lodge, which was the best damn BBQ I will ever eat in my life. When I left, I wasn't sure if I was more excited about the car or the BBQ.
I also cannot forget the 1.5 hours of free welding lessons I got at his shop. I have never picked up a torch in my life...damn welding is an Art!!!
Jeff
Last edited by Water_Walker; 08-25-2018 at 04:29 PM.
I agree with everything you said, I probably should have made a thread like this a long time ago. Bret spec’d my motor, introduced me to Mike to assemble it, sold and taught me how to install/use a Haltech Elite 2500 and he was always willing to talk as long as necessary to make sure I fully understood what was happening and why. Since I do all of my own fab and labor the only other person I trust to give me advice, sell me parts and tell me when I’m doing it wrong is Bret.
I agree with everything you said, I probably should have made a thread like this a long time ago. Bret spec’d my motor, introduced me to Mike to assemble it, sold and taught me how to install/use a Haltech Elite 2500 and he was always willing to talk as long as necessary to make sure I fully understood what was happening and why. Since I do all of my own fab and labor the only other person I trust to give me advice, sell me parts and tell me when I’m doing it wrong is Bret.
Bret specifically mentioned you to me as a trusting friend.
I have been blessed to get to know Bret beyond my love for and his obsession for Corvette, we have alot of distance between us, Ohio to Texas. Am I surprised he did an outstanding job on your car, no, no I'm not! Enjoy!!!
B-Town’s the best! Congrats on being able to enjoy the car again! Nothin worse than a bad car experienc and being sour about a car you loved. I too hope to have B-Town wave his magic wand over my ride someday in the not too distant future. One of the amazing things about Bret is when you’re interacting with him you feel like there isn’t anything else on his mind. Again, congrats and enjoy your sweet ride!
i actually dropped my car off at his shop yesterday & after talking to him a few times over the years, i've had the same experience with his communication. he's helped explain a lot of stuff as i've been learning which direction to go with my car (even long before having him work on it was an option). now that i'm finally in a spot to do some more updates, he was the hands-down choice, even after keeping my options open by talking to a few other big-name places in Dallas.
i can't wait to get it back in a few weeks!
Jeff, Thanks so much for your kind words. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you on your car and am so glad to have a new friend. It's customers like you that make doing what I love so much more enjoyable. I just got on the forum for the first time since you wrote this. I take Sundays for family time and yesterday was my birthday. I still worked my day job, which has been exceptionally busy and the evening was a total blur with more work. Kelly came home with an incredible chocolate mousse cake that put me in a coma for the remainder of the evening.
To everyone else: There are lots of cars out there and considering how much money and time I've spent on mine, I could have a plethora of other cars to choose from. Having friends like you guys is why I don't own any other car. It's not the greatest car, but it's mine and I know it, inside and out all too well. I really appreciate the camaraderie and friendships that this forum has provided us all with.
Bret specifically mentioned you to me as a trusting friend.
Bret is the man. We have spent hours talking cars and a lot of it wasn't even related to mine or his. He is just an all around good guy whose knowledge is humbling. Everytime I speak with him I learn something new. I've probably learned more in the 6-12 months I've been working with Bret than the last 15 years I've spent screwing with cars.
Jeff, Thanks so much for your kind words. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you on your car and am so glad to have a new friend. It's customers like you that make doing what I love so much more enjoyable. I just got on the forum for the first time since you wrote this. I take Sundays for family time and yesterday was my birthday. I still worked my day job, which has been exceptionally busy and the evening was a total blur with more work. Kelly came home with an incredible chocolate mousse cake that put me in a coma for the remainder of the evening.
To everyone else: There are lots of cars out there and considering how much money and time I've spent on mine, I could have a plethora of other cars to choose from. Having friends like you guys is why I don't own any other car. It's not the greatest car, but it's mine and I know it, inside and out all too well. I really appreciate the camaraderie and friendships that this forum has provided us all with.
Bret "B-town"
Happy belated B'Day ! to Bret "B-town" lol
I too was a happy customer - !!
Brett, is a good one for sure, I know Brett didn't show you how to weld one of the guys did yes. Be glad he didn't take you to white castle Brett buddy happy birthday man have to kid with you when I can.. Robert
Last edited by robert miller; 09-01-2018 at 10:50 PM.
Brett is fantastic. I wish he were closer for tuning and some other work. It has been incredibly difficult to find anyone that car work on my car locally without screwing something up.
He helped me out with a crank pulley and a lot of advice. Best customer service ever.
08-25-2018, 04:22 PM
Bret Bradbury - Review
He is an awesome person and Vette expert. I know I am repeating what many of you already know, but coming from a guy that didn't know WTF to do when this adventure started, as well as a guy from WY working with a guy far away from TX, I felt it important for this community to know of my exceptional experience. If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to PM about my experience.
Brett buddy happy birthday man have to kid with you when I can.. Robert
