Phoenix Project - major setback
Discussion
trackcar said:
Has anyone stopped to consider maybe there might be another side to the story ?
agree there are always two sides to every story. However I'd like to point out that the majority of posters have just wished Ash and the project well, which is commendable. What ever you have though, you have to look forward, onwards and upwards so to speak. Ash now has a way forward he is happy with simple as that, the rest is, as they say, history.
SXS said:
Its literally just been a day since Paul has had a chance to analyse things and he's already got a plan in execution and tracked down the history of some of the work done to the existing engine by subcontractors!!!! I dont know if I'm dreaming, but Paul anticipates the engine to be together and on his dyno running in - in around a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as long as no stumbling blocks show their teeth!! Now I may be jumping the gun, but boy do I feel confident with Austec doing this project, the man even called me from home in his own time to update me on things!!!! Jesus, he's really enthusiastic about the whole thing!!!! He said that he will not be jumping the gun, he will be progressing very carefully and he is not quoting any numbers, first off the engine will be run-in as normally aspirated and then after many tests, once he and his team are happy, then they'll start plugging in the blower and progressively through testing wind the boost up, but keep it well below the 'dangerous' level. And to think, Craft were going to just throw the multi-dollar engine straight into the car!!!
Thanks all for your support! This is whats great about PH, yup theres loads of live wires floating around (I'm the 2000volt one), and yup many of us have our differences, but the way we all get together to show support when someones feeling low or in problems is what makes PH one of the most addictive sociable virtual communities around - just dont touch the live wires!!!
Thanks ALL OF YOU!!!!!
ps. gaz, respecting the rules on here is something I take very seriously, because this site is someones livlihood and putting him through hassle is not something I would be proud of. Oh, once the analysis is on paper from Paul, I will be putting up the whole writeup with all my invoices (as long as that isnt breaking PH rules).
pss. Julian, Paul is the most forthcoming TVR specialist yet, and one that spends more time on his work than posting on these forums (his customers handle that side), I have found he is totally open about all he does with both the AJP and Speed6 engines (he told me some very interesting things about the SP6 issues, and anyone interested, would be mad not to drop a line and ask!) - and yup - when the open day comes along, he'll be more than glad to show everyone what and how he's building the Phoenix engine - hopefully by then the engine will be running on the dyno for ALL to see as well as the static body!!!!
Psss. yup, I'm definitely brown nosing now) !!!!!
Ash, it is great that you might get this project finished at long last, but please don't start the crusade for Austec in manner you have for various other suppliers. Why not wait until the job is done and on the road and then sing their praises? That is in no way meant to imply that Austec will supply anything other than an excellent product.
I'm sure Paul is very pleased to be picking up your high profile and highly publisised project, that is not implying in any way that he is pleased with the way that it ended up at his feet, but it could be a great PR coup for them.
I have been dissapointed with the services with several specialists who have been highly recommended on here, one in particular could have well cost me a lot of money and more importantly put my wife, son's and my own safety at risk! I now will only offer reccomendation when I'm sure the job is right and the bill settled, I suggest you do the same.
Good luck with getting it finished.
Tim
trackcar said:
Has anyone stopped to consider maybe there might be another side to the story ?
But Ash has been totally down the line - I dont see him spilling his emotions and slagging etc..... So I dont think that there is a problem for Craft here. As I read it he has simply said it took too long, I am sure Craft agree with that.
TT Tim said:
Thanks all for your support! This is whats great about PH, yup theres loads of live wires floating around (I'm the 2000volt one), and yup many of us have our differences, but the way we all get together to show support when someones feeling low or in problems is what makes PH one of the most addictive sociable virtual communities around - just dont touch the live wires!!!
Thanks ALL OF YOU!!!!!
ps. gaz, respecting the rules on here is something I take very seriously, because this site is someones livlihood and putting him through hassle is not something I would be proud of. Oh, once the analysis is on paper from Paul, I will be putting up the whole writeup with all my invoices (as long as that isnt breaking PH rules).
pss. Julian, Paul is the most forthcoming TVR specialist yet, and one that spends more time on his work than posting on these forums (his customers handle that side
Psss. yup, I'm definitely brown nosing now
Ash, it is great that you might get this project finished at long last, but please don't start the crusade for Austec in manner you have for various other suppliers. Why not wait until the job is done and on the road and then sing their praises? That is in no way meant to imply that Austec will supply anything other than an excellent product.
I'm sure Paul is very pleased to be picking up your high profile and highly publisised project, that is not implying in any way that he is pleased with the way that it ended up at his feet, but it could be a great PR coup for them.
I have been dissapointed with the services with several specialists who have been highly recommended on here, one in particular could have well cost me a lot of money and more importantly put my wife, son's and my own safety at risk! I now will only offer reccomendation when I'm sure the job is right and the bill settled, I suggest you do the same.
Good luck with getting it finished.
Tim
Fully agree with this. Will be interesting to see if this one makes it. The last project car that I saw from Austec was a bright orange SD1 that ended up on ebay a few months later. No idea of the story behind it though but was told when i was there that it was being built for one of the Gumball rallies.
Also unless the engine is in very basic form already (specs etc, crank ground yada yada) I find it hard to believe that it will be ready in a month. Did you not say that you had no cams?
Also I'm not surprised a company is willing to help with the sort of budget and publicity that this one has. They or anyone else for that matter will say "Oooo dunno can't do that..."
trackcar said:
Has anyone stopped to consider maybe there might be another side to the story ?
Joolz I dont like that tone, what are you implying?
You have no idea about my situation or whats been going on, other than whatever someone else had told you, speak to Allan, speak to Craig, these two chaps have been on the phone to me for the past 2 years on a regular basis, if anyone knows this projects history - these two are it, anyway was it your time? was it your countless journeys down south? was it your countless phone calls? There are others too, but thats not my place to say, cos I'm just happy its all over.
If you want to play all buddies with craft then go for it - but please dont at my misfortunes expense - I would love to go into detail about every single issue since September 2004, but thats in the past, and I dont ponder the past - I want my project finished, and I have finally found the right man/company to get the job done.
Simple as that.
ps. just for the hell of it, heres the tip of the iceberg:
* Main Caps took 7 months
* Rods and pistons took 5 months
* Block mods and liners took over 4 months
* was told my clutch and flywheel are done ahead of schedule - then when it came to the crunch, they werent even developed yet.
and this just goes on and on, I kept a spreadsheet of all the deadlines and promises made, nothing was met on time, ok a week out is understandable, but months on end?
Anyway, I have nothing more to say on this, I wish them the best of luck. But if you need anymore info, just look at ALL the others waiting - 8months+???? supplier issues????? 8 MONTHS+!
but if anyone wants to shake my cage because they've been told otherwise or because they're inclined to do so, dont do it on here, this thread was written to update all those who are genuinly interested, and not those who want to see me fail or those who dont like the company I have gone to now. This has nothing to do with old wars - this is my projects history and I have gone with the best available to me to help recoup the time already lost!
END OF! (trust me, its in the best interests of everyone that I dont explode, I am being very very very timid here.)
On another good note, some pics are coming out soon!
>> Edited by SXS on Tuesday 9th May 14:05
SXS said:
Has anyone stopped to consider maybe there might be another side to the story ?
Joolz I dont like that tone, what are you implying?
I didn't read that he was implying anything? just that there are always 2 sides to every story and we are only hearing one side.
I think you'll be the first to agree that sometimes you can be an "excitable" fellow SXS
and I know you must be wound up be everything that has happened, but you do have a tendency to push your thoughts quite emphatically and others on here have a more tempered view about things. trooperiziz said:
Has anyone stopped to consider maybe there might be another side to the story ?
Joolz I dont like that tone, what are you implying?
I didn't read that he was implying anything? just that there are always 2 sides to every story and we are only hearing one side.
Of course there are 2 sides to every story.
In very simplistic terms (and Im sure I will miss something here)
SXS's side
He spent £24,500
He allowed more time than I would have done to get the job done (TBH I think he was barking mad to even start it, but hey ho, my hands up for one of the first rides, respect)
He believed the promises of the contracted companies
He got fed up and took the business elsewhere (where/who is irrelevant)
The Other Side
Ash didnt spend the money or didnt pay all or some of what was asked (doubt it, but putting it in the equation)
Ash made unreasonable demands on the project/continually changed specs etc?( again, possible, but if points 1 and 2 above are to be believed, IMO the contracted company (see, not naming names here) had plenty of time and funds to make any alterations. Anyway, the customer (who pays!) is always right?!)
The company got fed up with Ash nagging about a finish date (one that should have been moons ago) and told him to pick up his engine (albeit in bits) and feck off. (possible but not the best PR?)
OK, what have I missed?
trooperiziz said:
I didn't read that he was implying anything? just that there are always 2 sides to every story and we are only hearing one side.
I think you'll be the first to agree that sometimes you can be an "excitable" fellow SXS
Tempered view? I understand, but I am the one who is screwed here, not anyone else, I have been shortchanged and left out to dry - if I bite back now and again due to my experience, then I hope others understand and dont try to patronise me, I am not looking for anything but success in this project - do you all remember way back then when I said she will be done by Jan 2005? thats what I was told. Do you remember I said she will be done by March 2005? thats what I was told. and on and on and on... and bleedin on for months!
Anyway, what a coincidence, now suddenly by chance theres also a press release on a DOHC upgrade, not even one speed 6 'melling' engine is out on the roads proving itself yet and already a DOHC is being advertised - meanwhile, my project took 2 years to source a few custom components and then Joo of all people turns around and asks if there is another side to the story!????? no 'I feel for you bud' no 'sorry to hear this' just simply 'theres another side to the story?'...
Do I laugh? do I cry?
I need a big feck-off pint of San Miguel! thats what I bloody need!
There is no doubting you've sunk some money into this project and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we feel for you.
But - please don't air your grievances on here, it all becomes very boring after a while.
I also didn't read anything into Jules' posting, a good example of you going off one one again, and before anyone asks I have never had my car serviced/tuned by TCS or Joolespeed, in fact I've never even met the guy.
Get the car finished, prooved and use it to show everyone what can be achieved. I'm sure we'll all be suitably impressed.
Tim
But - please don't air your grievances on here, it all becomes very boring after a while.
I also didn't read anything into Jules' posting, a good example of you going off one one again, and before anyone asks I have never had my car serviced/tuned by TCS or Joolespeed, in fact I've never even met the guy.
Get the car finished, prooved and use it to show everyone what can be achieved. I'm sure we'll all be suitably impressed.
Tim
jellison said:
Ash - I for one want to here the full story - all you put yourself in ASHes position (and se the other thread on Craft - being maybe asked to drop this to do the Melling 32v stuff) - all interesting stuff.
Jon, does it really matter, it's not your money, and it's not your battle, I really feel that this should be left between Ash and Autocraft.
I'm sure Ash will tell anyone who'll listen over a pint.
Even though he's posted all the facts, he's obviously gunning for Autocraft, trying to discredit them in whatever way he can, and Ted would be well within his rights to pull this thread, even before he gets a call from Autocraft.
Tim
SXS said:
......not even one speed 6 'melling' engine is out on the roads proving itself yet
Hi Ash,
firstly I'd like to say that I wish you well for the Phoenix and hope that it turns out exactly as you envisage. I respect the patience and perspective shown in your original post and I'm also grateful for the recommendation from yourself to talk to Craft in the first place.
Secondly, it's only fair to point out that my Craft re-built/re-designed S6 engine has now clocked up over 2,500 faultless miles and I'm very pleased with it. Yes, it did take longer than originally anticipated but to be fair to the team at Craft, they were designing new parts/modifications as they progressed with the work and it all takes time. I know of another S6 (a T350) also running since Xmas (not on PH AFAIK) and that a Craft built re-designed head is running great guns in a car that was re-built by another Indie.
I'm not trying to dilute your views but feel that it's important to keep the discussion balanced.
Good luck and I, like countless others, look forward to seeing the end result!
JT
>> Edited by J.T. on Tuesday 9th May 15:55
>> Edited by J.T. on Tuesday 9th May 15:55
Ash I'm sorry that it has worked out so badly for you and I hope that it all goes well with Austec. But I think you'll be the first to agree that you tend to have rather a hot temper, and you can't expect us all to condemn Autocraft just because you've fallen out with them - there are always two sides to every story. Work like this is hideously expensive and time consuming. You may not be happy with what you've got for your money, but I suspect that the true cost of the work that's been done for you is far more than you've paid. Sadly, when things go wrong like this, everyone loses out.
Sounds things are moving quick,if the engine will be ready in a month or so,when will it be on the road/track? jellison said:
Ash - I for one want to here the full story - all you put yourself in ASHes position (and se the other thread on Craft - being maybe asked to drop this to do the Melling 32v stuff) - all interesting stuff.
One day...
Buts it good to see how this thread has panned out, I now realise a lot which over the past few years must have just flew past me, blind as a bat.
And the others on here who hold the holy grail, its nothing personal, but have you all had any work done there? or know of anyone bar JT/JA that has?
2 years in the running, anyone happy and genuinly chuffed? bar JT... any delivery reports on PH? any mega reviews by a crowd of worshippers? Believe what you will, but regardless of what you may believe - I only wish one thing, that what I've had to go through doesnt happen to any other PH member! but from the emails I've received from the current customers - looks like its starting already, but in fear of loss wont post on here
Point made, case closed, I'm off. I only wanted to share and inform, not start a freakin war.
But time to move on now...
Now I look forward to an eventfull summer!
I'll be updating all with the progress of the Phoenix on a regular basis - Paul called today and said "Cams are being sorted, and heads are getting sorted too" - thats what I was after, service! and enthusiasm!
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