Originally Posted by
weaver
Maurice talked to Dave last week and told him what needed to be done, he was told when he ordered the side pipes what problems he might face when he went to install the pipes. We are on the 3rd supplier of both pipe material and fabricators which causes these type problems. If the engine is not perfectly level or the engine mounts are not in the exact location it will throw the bolt location off, I think Dave should be able to make what ever changes need to be made. Dave did not have to tell us how old the car was, we already knew the car and he was told up front that he would probably need to make some alterations and to make them before he sent them off for coating.
Alan,
My mouth is still hanging open reading your first actual reply to this problem. You posted to this thread way back on June 27th. You had no input at all except to say hello to someone who posted a reply to my issue. Pretty much you ignored your customer and the issue. Why did you even post at all. It was almost like you were taunting me. I pretty much just ignored it at that time. I really was taking the high road with this issue. I never threw Unique under the bus in any way. I never tried to hold Unique's feet to the fire in any way either. I started this thread to get information because I was concerned of a potential problem and I only shared with other members exactly what Maurice told me. I thought the whole point to these forums was to share all the experiences so we all learn something and help each other.
So Alan, as I said, I was taking the high road with this issue, but since you are making things up that never happened and pretty much calling me a liar on a public forum, let's really clarify this whole thing. This is exactly how it went down. I was very specific about the year of my car and my expectations of the parts fitment. The reason I was so clear is because of another issue I had with Unique parts I purchased that did not fit at all with my original Unique hardware. I was perfectly clear on that purchase too. That issue was all settled offline via emails and I was reimbursed 70.00 for all the hardware I needed to purchase to make it work. That was like pulling teeth to get Unique to do the right thing. On this side-pipe purchase I was told that they would fit perfectly but advised to bolt them up before sending them out to be coated. The reason being that the holes may not line up exactly and I may have to make the holes a little bigger so I could get the bolts into the frame. That was it, period. I was told nothing of any type of rework as Alan is claiming. I paid my 650.00 and that was that. I am not a welder, if I knew there would be these types of problems, I would never have purchased the pipes. You act like I got these at some great discount and I should have expected all kinds of issues. If I had purchased these with the expectations you claim I knew about, trust me, I would not say a thing. Those people who know me, know that I am a total straight shooter and a man of principle. I don't make things up or leave things out.
Last week via my phone conversation, I asked Maurice about the motor mounts and tranny mounts/engine location, Maurice's words exactly, motor mounts and tranny mounts are not the issue so don't bother loosening. The engine can only be in one place and had nothing to do with my problem at all. My thinking was maybe if I loosened the motor and tranny mounts, perhaps I could move it enough to make it work. He actually blamed the entire problem on the jig!
I do appreciate all the feedback and I want you all to understand, it is not just the huge gaps but the brackets are located to far forward...the frame holes are on the edge of the bracket!!! It is almost like these were built for a car with a different engine. I will post some pics so maybe it will be easier to see. What is the point of having a jig if you don’t keep applicability to older cars that you have sold. Just don’t weld up the holes, mark the holes for applicability: use this set of holes or bracket locations for serial# ***-***** thru xxxx-****, use another set for serial # @@@@@-@@@@ thru++++-####, and so on. Either do that or have different jigs, whatever you need to do. If the manufacturer can't give you parts that fit, who can? You could even sell it as a kit where the customers fits it and welds the brackets as Scott H said. If Unique knew these will not fit certain cars (as Alan is suggesting),why would Unique attach them at all. These members who love to make excuses for Unique I just don’t understand. You make them sound like a backyard charity organization giving you these parts at some crazy discounted price so you should not expect much and they should have no accountability to their customer. It is like an automatic free pass, why, where does it end? So let's say I follow Maurice's direction to this problem, I bolt them up and preload it to death, then I crack out my headers. I suppose Unique gets another free pass because my headers were 18 years old and were ready to crack anyway. Not Unique' s fault even though they told me to do it and I voiced my concern and was told not to worry about it? Where is Unique's accountability in any of their dealings with customers? Even when ordering parts or kits that consist of a bag of parts with absolutely nothing- no directions, torques, precautions at all,is unacceptable. An exemplary company, one who puts their customer first and takes the utmost pride in their product, makes every effort to support their customers with directions, informative websites and customer service that includes follow up; suggesting that not only do they care for you as a customer, but they hold their product and customer service to the highest of standards. It is frustrating to rely on forums to work on your car. Not all of us are Master mechanics, welders, electricians, engineers. Ex: Go on ERA's site and check out all the very helpful info and instructions for their products. They are no bigger than Unique and have been around just as long. Just go to Alan's profile page, one of our members actually posted to Alan's page," I would not want to build a car for davids2toys". Gee, I wonder why the Weavers would not want to build a car for davids2toys, maybe because I would expect it to be built correctly! People who are constantly sucking up and making all the excuses for Unique are part of the problem because now Unique thinks it is alright to provide inadequate customer service on all levels the way they do.
As I said, I think these side-pipes were made for either a different engine combination or just plain old poor workmanship. I have a stock 428 with stock heads, stock motor mounts, and stock tranny mount. In any case it doesn't matter, the standard supplier response and obligation for bad workmanship or wrong part is full replacement with a good part or full refund with no financial damage to the customer (shipping). At a minimum, pay all costs for the part to be reworked by the customer. To expect the customer to do all the work and not even offer to help with the cost is ridiculous!!!
I asked for info/help nicely and I got this arrogant reply from Alan many months after I originally asked for assistance. I was pretty much ignored up until now. Unique could have handled this offline but decided to air laundry in public with Alan's posting. So if that is the way it goes, oh well, sorry. This is not what I wanted to do.
So ,as you can see, I am very disappointed and definitely not a happy customer. Those of you who think these side pipe are so wonderful, buy them from me at a discounted price than what I paid. I am also interested in selling my car, but now much more serious about it. I want out and away from this crap. I will buy a Cobra that is supported by a company that believes in happy customers, I would be willing to sell my car for a very attractive price for the buyer, PM or email me with any questions, request for pics, etc, etc...
I have never really been happy about Unique customer service, but up until now, have dealt with it. I only call them if there is no other choice. I put my car up for sale about a year ago but never really seriously pushed it or advertised it. The main reason I put it up for sale was because of the lack of support by Unique to myself and many others. I do love the Cobra and will immediately begin a search for another one as soon as this is sold. I was just going to sell it and go away quietly. I do not believe in bad mouthing anyone or hurting their business in any way unless I am provoked. As you can see, I absolutely feel provoked by Alan.
I also know I am not the only one who feels this way. I have heard unhappiness from other Unique owners face to face, phone calls, and emails over the years concerning other issues that were brought up on the forum and just in general. It is too bad everybody is so scared to speak up, as I said earlier, we are part of the problem! I expect there will be an onslaught of the usual Weaver lovers, who need to be on the Weavers "GOOD" list. I really find it hard to believe they feel this happy with Unique. I will be very honest here, I am jealous; I absolutely wish I sincerely felt this way myself.
Dave
Last edited by davids2toys; October 2nd, 2012 at 07:48 PM.
Reason: font
Dave
93 Unique Motorcars 427 SC, 428PI with CJ heads, toploader 4 spd,jag rear with 354 gears, Red with white stripes.