brianpaul98 Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 (edited) Let me paint the picture before getting into the details. I have my own Miller Syncrowave300, a beast of a machine, I buy all my own stainless pipe and elbows, I'm pretty good at fabricating my own parts since I've been doing it for about 25 years now BUT I'm working full time, I have projects out the butt and my wife likes me to do things with her too. NO, not those things!!! I mean going out things, taking her shopping and now we got into dirt bike riding so that's even more things. Can you see where this whole thing is going?? You don't... well let me continue. I'm a pretty easy guy to get along with and make a deal with as many of you probably know so I started talking with a guy (I'm not naming any names) who also does fabrication work. Sort of hard to talk with sometimes and listening to him you'd think hes the greatest thing since sliced white bread with an ego to match. No, his name isn't Barack just in case your wondering. After talking with him I'm getting a funny vibe so I try to feel him out. I said OUT not UP aight.... Anyway, over a few months of talking I decide that I just don't have the time to get involved with putting this header together but I also spent a bunch on the pipes plus and he needed a stock exhaust manifold to put everything together. I really hate to just send something off to someone I don't really know, never dealt with before and know a lot of other people that don't really get along with him. I was at the crossroads of what to do and this is that moment where life situations override better judgment and gut feelings. Ok, so I sent all the parts to him to build my header in exchange for doing some machine work and parts. If this thing looked awesome or even pretty good like the guy led me to believe I would have been happy and more so would have sent a lot of other people I know his way for fab work. In the last few days I talked with him and he starts going on about how hard it was going to be to use the $150.00 worth of sch10 pipe elbows I sent him so he talked me into letting him use some mandrel bent stainless instead. Hey, hes the expert fabricator right?? Sure go ahead I told him and asked will it be strong I don't want cracks?? It will not crack I was told. Ok go for it. Last night, I talked with him again for about a 1/2 hour and the header was done and shipped out. He says and I quote, it came out nice, there are some imperfections but once its bolted on you won't even see them. You can just bolt it right on and you'll make good power with this header. Hey, what more can you ask for right?? I'm not building a show car here. Now kep in mind that this took a few weeks for it to get done which isn't really an issue, what I saw today (6-9-10) when I opened the box is the issue. I sent an e-mail to the guy this afternoon about 2PM with pictures, my exact thoughts and feelings at the time and what I recommended he should do since he just opened a new business. So far its 12:45 AM the next day and I didn't get any response yet. Didn't really think I would. Ok, here is what I'm asking of all my Starquest brethren and sisteren (is that a word???, well it should be) just to be sure I didn't over react which I'm known to do from time to time. I just want to be sure that my eyes haven't gone bad on me and I'm seeing something that really isn't there. I JUST WANT TO BE VERY F'N SURE that I'm pretty straight on with what showed up at my door today from a guy who brags up and down on the forums about how F'N fantastic his fabrication work is and what an absolute import genius he is. I just want to be sure you know.... like get a second opinion and I KNOW that this site above and beyond all others on the face of the Earth can be brutally honest when it comes to giving their opinion. So, with that said I would like all of you to please sit back, take a deep breath, no eating or drinking (I wouldn't want any of you to choke on a ding dong), put on your glasses on if you have them, go to the bathroom just in case so you don't mess up your favorite arm chair and please be honest about what you see and tell me what your reaction would have been if this had shown up at your door. OH YES, please bear in mind that this header was painted inside and out with flat black paint which I glass beaded off before taking the pictures. LET THE SPECTACLE BEGIN ------------------- Doesn't look too bad huh... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader034.jpg Still seems ok... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader033.jpg Humm, so far so good your thinking right??? http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader025.jpg http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader027.jpg Ohhh, wait!!!! Whats that in the ports!!! http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader036.jpg Ohhhh MAN!!!! HE MISSED THE HOLE!!!! I'd hate to be his girl.... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader004.jpg Wholly crap.... he missed it again!!!! Shes gonna be pissed... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader011.jpg What the F... I thought three times is a charm?? That's it bud, shes going to find Alejandro.... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader012.jpg HEY THERE, I guess its four times is a charm for this guy... a little late tho, the magic is already gone... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader014.jpg Ok, lets take a little peeky down those ports a bit shall we... WHAT THE CRAP IS THAT??? are those intestinal tumors???? http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader005.jpg I told you not to be eating anything didn't I ???? Y'all just don't listen... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader016.jpg Wow, so that's what a contaminated weld looks like... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader017.jpg ARE WE THERE YET???? NO but I think we have left the colon and are heading for thejz sphincter...... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader015.jpg MY GOD!!! Are those intestinal polyps!!!! I think we need a doctor down here... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader018.jpg And there you have it folks, a serious high performance part for your Quest and I'll bet the flow through that baby is just unbe f'n lievable with all those perfect welds and stuff... http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad20/brianarnone2009/26literheader024.jpg Ok, I think that's enough because the more I look at this piece of garbage the more I'm starting to lose my sense of humor again. So just to recap, imagine yourself waiting on the edge of your toilet seat, waiting for your brand new custom header to arrive from a self proclaimed fabricating genius (I'm just calling it as I see it) and the door bell rings... DING DONG!!!! You go to the door and there it is, THE BOX!!! sitting there glistening in the sunlight, waiting to be opened.... Your full of joy and excitement, anticipation of whats in store JUST INSIDE THAT BOX!!!!! You carry it in the house, get out the pooper scooper and hack it open.... YOU TEAR OUT THE PAPER that's hiding this masterpiece, this work of art, this one of a kind part that was created and hand crafted out of the mind of an utter genius.... You now pull it from the box, you now have it in your hands and you gaze your eyes upon it turning it every which way to see this model of modern craftsmanship.... AND....... This is where you start........................... Edited June 10, 2010 by brianpaul98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starquestG54B Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 dang dude i understand its a crap-shoot but altleast the guy tryed........to take your money! how much did he charge for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianpaul98 Posted June 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 (edited) dang dude i understand its a crap-shoot but altleast the guy tryed........to take your money! how much did he charge for that? The only way I can look at this is I paid $150.00 plus shipping for a head flange... which I could have made myself since I have a 10' piece of stainless flat bar out in my shop. Ok, I guess another way I can look at this is that I paid $150.00 for the experience to know NEVER TO DEAL WITH THIS JACKLEG AGAIN!!!! and I don't plan on sending the other parts or doing the head work for him after this either. This is actually worse than starting over because now I have to cut all that garbage off the flanges and clean them up before I can even start to make my own header. I think after I cut them off I'll send him back the pipes he welded so he can hang them up in his new shop so all his customers can see the top notch quality of work he does... Edited June 10, 2010 by brianpaul98 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrazilBoy Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Frankly I can't imagine who it could be... I Frankly can't believe what I am seeing.....well lets be Frank here that is one steaming pile of.....well ya know.. Sorry bro that just bites...BTW I am glad you are Frank about not naming the individual on the forums it shows good taste.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fijiblueman Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 i would use it. it seems everytime ive got a stack of paperwork on my computer desk the wife opens up the back door and the wind blows them everywhere. That should work AWESOME! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psu_Crash Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 What's the problem? You won't even see it once it's bolted on... Ouch Nope you are most definitely NOT over reacting! Sorry to see that. You got F'd in the A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AutoBodyGod Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Frankly I can't imagine who it could be... I Frankly can't believe what I am seeing.....well lets be Frank here that is one steaming pile of.....well ya know.. Sorry bro that just bites...BTW I am glad you are Frank about not naming the individual on the forums it shows good taste.. WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF??????????? Thats like telling your wife go to WalMart and get some cough syrup for your sick kid, nevermind who makes the cough syrup even though there is a recall on the crap! I was thinking about buying a header for my Conquest, and I would like to know "whom" to avoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrazilBoy Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF??????????? Thats like telling your wife go to WalMart and get some cough syrup for your sick kid, nevermind who makes the cough syrup even though there is a recall on the crap! I was thinking about buying a header for my Conquest, and I would like to know "whom" to avoid.I "Frankly" can't say whom it is...but that header won't holdup to "xtremeboost"....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianpaul98 Posted June 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 I "Frankly" can't say whom it is...but that header won't holdup to "xtremeboost"....... I just have to ask, is that Burton on the far right in your sig pic??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrazilBoy Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 I just have to ask, is that Burton on the far right in your sig pic??? Watch "Top Gear" on BBC America...its the greatest tv car show on earth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Komeuppance Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF??????????? Thats like telling your wife go to WalMart and get some cough syrup for your sick kid, nevermind who makes the cough syrup even though there is a recall on the crap! I was thinking about buying a header for my Conquest, and I would like to know "whom" to avoid. LOL!! Someone missed the hints. I had a "professional" downpipe that looked much like that. Panties were in a bunch when I posted the pics of the junker. -Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboyb Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Just to add insult to injury.....did you put a straight-edge on the flange. In your third pic it looks like a solid 1/2" or more bow....well beyond a resurfacing fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goddard Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Yeah that is no good. I wouldn't even use that ugly thing as a paperweight. Hopefully you can return it and get yo money back! Sorry that happened to you Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eirewolf Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 DAMMIT I wanted to use the polyp line......had a good one, too...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convette Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 that'll flow well....lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natedog_37 Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Wow. Talked about great airflow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 (edited) Soooo... Ummm.... What in the heck is that supposed to be? I guess it's a good thing when all that slag gets glowing red hot, breaks off and is sent into your turbine wheel that's spinning over 100k rpms. Yeah, that'll be just fine. Edited June 10, 2010 by JustPaus_88TSi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Frankly I can't imagine who it could be... I Frankly can't believe what I am seeing.....well lets be Frank here that is one steaming pile of.....well ya know.. Sorry bro that just bites...BTW I am glad you are Frank about not naming the individual on the forums it shows good taste.. im not going to be as FRANK as you but i FRANKly agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmyers151 Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Oh man. Sorry it came out that way. Not that you'd want to, but I wonder if some time (a lot of time) with a dremel or pencil grinder could fix that? Can't wait to see what mine looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberquest Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 just send it back, i will sell you this one.http://truestreetcars.com/forums/attachments/pics-videos/2318d1260377550-so-you-think-you-know-wt....-jdm-horrible-weld-beads-exhaust-manifold-stick-welding.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-O Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 that'll flow well....lol It'll flow real well out the window! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianpaul98 Posted June 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 LOL!! Someone missed the hints. I had a "professional" downpipe that looked much like that. Panties were in a bunch when I posted the pics of the junker. -Robert Panties, pants, socks, shirt whatever can be in a bunch for all I care. Anyone who has the total lack of integrity to send a customer who your looking to do first time business with a piece of crap like that says a lot about that person. Regardless of the type of work they are capable of doing this just shows the character of that person. The biggest insult was the flat black paint inside and out like I'm some moron who would never even notice whats really under the paint. I would have to say that after this my dealings with this person are pretty much over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianpaul98 Posted June 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Just to add insult to injury.....did you put a straight-edge on the flange. In your third pic it looks like a solid 1/2" or more bow....well beyond a resurfacing fix. Well, after I threw it across the floor in my shop I haven't actually looked at it again but I will check that. No, the real insult to injury was when I asked if I could have my original $150.00 worth of stainless pieces back and guess what, they were already being used for a header for his car... Go figure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UlrichWolf Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Wow. That's pretty bad workmanship there. Personally, I would be interested in a fracture test (go ahead Brian, hit it with a hammer) to determine the strength of those oh-so-pretty welds. I know the welds are crap, but it would be fun to just see. Plus, destructive testing helps with the frustration that this has undoubtedly caused. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianpaul98 Posted June 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 Oh man. Sorry it came out that way. Not that you'd want to, but I wonder if some time (a lot of time) with a dremel or pencil grinder could fix that? Can't wait to see what mine looks like. Hey Dale, I'm really sorry I ever recommended anyone to this guy and I hope that yours doesn't resemble in any way what I got. The problem is you can't even dremel it out because the pipes are not even over the ports so you would cut right through the thin wall tube he used. As far as the rest of the header all that slag inside is showing a contaminated weld. He has absolutely no idea how to weld pipe regardless of what he says. If you look at all that foamed up metal inside that's what it looks like when air gets in the molten metal because there is no argon gas to shield it. That is a very weak weld and it will never hold up on a header. As far as what I paid him I didn't pay him directly, I just sent him my parts and it was going to be a parts and machine work deal for putting together my header. Just imagine for a moment if you will what his parts and machine work would have looked like if I were a real a-hole and just gave him back what he gave me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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