There's plenty of love in here tonight. It's sharkys love shack[emoji7][emoji23]
s**t news about the engine, but awesome that Mark gave Steve a heads up and that he is willing to give it a once over for you. I get why people said to give up, especially with the shock of what it's cost so far, but I think that if you do that then all that money is wasted. Rusty engine aside, as you say it's not that far off and just needs assembling. One last crack at it and if it's successful the last few year's nightmare will dissappear in the rear view mirror as you enjoy Wales in your trophy again. Chin up pal, things are still progressing a few there's loads of love for it here.
"Welcome to the midnight love hour, here at Sharky's Love Shack, exclusively on Cliosport.fm..."
You're right mate. It's shaping up to be something really quite nice in my opinion. I think I'd be more annoyed if I didn't give it one last crack of the whip. Especially given the offers of help, support and the fact that one or two folks really want to see this come to fruition as well as I do! I've got plans for road trips and shows galore throughout 2018 and I dearly don't want to end up disappointed again.
After reading that quote fest.
I can truely see the community feelings and banding together with some real offers of kindness and support.
Cliosport at its best.!
Absolutely. It's quite overwhelming if I'm being honest, but in a 'pleasant' way. There's a lot of good people around here who are only too happy to offer help, to offer up words of advice or to tell me what a dick I am.
I've not read it all, just what I can. I feel very dissapointed to hear of other peoples negligence.
But warmed to hear of the help from others on this forum to try and sort this mess once and for all.
I really do hope the end is near and that things look up for you.
Hi mate - thanks for taking the time to have a bit of a dip-in and skim over the thread. I realise there's an awful lot of stuff in here, some of it more relevant and interesting than other bits! Fingers crossed, eh?
Cheers.
If nothing else this thead has really smashed the cliosport trader status to
s**t!
(Not including Mick) everyone who worked on this so far was at one time classed as clio tuning legends and bummed by all !
And they all well and truly fucked Andy over scary really !
I really hope this does all turn out for you in the end Andy but if it doesn't work this time PLEASE sell up .
So... K-Tec -> TDF (pt1) -> TDF (pt2) -> BTM -> SJM -> Mick (Diamond Motors). I bet Mick's really sh!tting himself now!
When you think back, very few have survived trader status without the reputation going downhill.
I'd just like to add that it's nothing to do with me. Honest!
Quality specialists are very much becoming a rare breed these days and are spread quite thin across the UK it would seem.
Yesterday and today I've read all the thread.
To echo other comments my heart goes out to you but at least progress is now being mad and before too long the car will be up and running.
I take my hat off to you mate - that's a lot of stuff to read through! Thanks for taking the time to do so though; as you've seen, it's been quite a rollercoaster ride over the last decade. Especially the last handful of years. I'm feeling a fair bit more upbeat today and hopefully I will have far happier updates to post as we roll into the new year. Cheers
It genuinely reads as though Andy is a nice chap. However, I sense that Andy wasn't/isn't assertive enough in his management of the project. (Please do not take that personally, I am very similar).
Imagine if all these nice people help you out and you do manage to getting running. It is by no means a fit and forget project. Who will you go back to next time? What will be the next issue? How much is too much money, patience and mechanics?
The most sensible thing to do, is get everything verified by Steve/Mick and if it can't be started, to cut loose.
Good luck either way.
Hi buddy - I've not taken it personally and welcome your views and opinions as I do anyone else's.
I would disagree insofar that I haven't been assertive enough in managing the project. I'm quite a cautious and assertive person by nature believe it or not. However, I was never intending to manage or watch over the shoulder of those who I entrusted my car to for the various work, fixes, repairs and rebuilds I've had done. In each case I have chosen who I thought would be best for the job in hand (although that's not always quite gone to plan as you know!), explained what I've wanted to achieve, taken their advice and recommendations and then made sure I have sufficient budget to cover costs (including a significant chunk of funds for contingency and the 'unexpected'). As said, I tend to be cautious. I'm not sure how much of the story you've been able to take in but there truly have been many instances where things have happened whereby even a project management plan wouldn't have helped. Those that know me outside of this forum know how I have prodded and pushed to get things done, all whilst trying to be fair to the parties involved in terms of allowing sufficient time to work on my car alongside their bread and butter jobs. What hasn't helped is the fact that the last couple of builds were very ad-hoc and the specialists were also friends. As a result the builds weren't really 'booked-in' jobs and that, being brutally honest, did not help. In fact, the current turbo build actually came to life without me knowing about it. Whilst I was upset and lamenting the failure of my high compression ITB build a couple of friends (who were specialists) took on the project as a favour to help me out. They knew the problems I'd faced and thought they'd offer their services in getting me back on the road with something a bit special. Hence the high-boost turbo build was borne out of that. As you've read, that hasn't gone to plan either and I've been left hanging with even more issues to deal with (as is the current state of the project).
Of course, it has gone to Mick (Diamond Motors) now to be finished and I have every confidence that it will finally see the light of day. Once Steve has done his magic on my engine then I truly expect to see some progress early in the new year. Now, there's always a risk that this could go the same way as previous builds - especially as I would class Mick a friend of mine (even if he doesn't!!!)
The difference here is that he's incredibly organised, efficient and professional. And my car is a 'real' job, not just a side project that is to be dipped in and out of when he has a few spare hours. No favours, no messing, no bullsh!t. Get the job done, get it paid for, enjoy the car and share a few pints with him afterwards.
No - it's not a 'fit and forget' project as such. There will be niggles and things that will likely need addressing as the car is run-in and comes together. I went into this with open eyes and that included covering the long-term aspects of the build, too. Being prepared to replace faster-wearing components, higher risk of problems due to the significant level of modification above standard spec, gearboxes, clutches, more diligent care and maintenance to keep it running sweet and safe, and so forth. That's why my 'budget' also includes funds set aside in case I need to dip into them to address any of those aforementioned issues (or, indeed, others that crop up). I'm no millionaire by any stretch of the imagination but I am careful with money and very fortunate to have a good job / business that is - touch wood - going well so far. It's one thing to buy and/or modify a car but that's only half the story!
Had there been any doubt over funds then I simply would not have allowed this build to go ahead. Of course, it's cost me more than I had hoped (more so in lost time) but it is what it is and I'll just work to make the best of what is a bad situation. I'm sure it will come good soon enough.
It's hard to say who I'll go back to next as and when problems arise. I am hoping that Mick is around for many a year to come and that he will be able to look after the car. I also hope that Steve and his expertise / experience is also around for many years to come in case I need an engine refresh / rebuild / etc. Of course, I'd never take these gents for granted but I trust in their work and abilities hence why they'd be my first port of call now given the circumstances leading to where we currently find ourselves. I can't predict the future sadly so, like your good self, I'll just deal with the problems as and when I encounter them whilst doing my best to try and minimise future problems by being proactive and making 'the right choices' in the meantime (if that makes sense). Whatever the outcome, this is the last throw of the dice with this car. I'm drawing a line under it regardless of it being a success or another failed scenario. The main thing I really want to avoid is a catastrophic engine failure hence the lengths and measures that have been taken with this build. I am fully prepared to replace worn pistons, new gearbox, etc. I just don't want to be in the position again whereby something fails and ends up taking out the whole thing. I think 5 times is enough for anyone!
What will be will be.
Thanks for your post mate - appreciate the views and being able to mind-dump some of my thoughts in way of a reply.
