Okay, my turn - First off, I am Erick of Voss Performance, been in business for 11 years, one of the oldest installers of Superformance cars, with over 200 Mark III installations, known Lance Stander for the past 11 years, authorized Roush installer and warranty facility. This is not my first Rodeo. I do sympathize with John regarding his situation. I was in San Francisco delivering another car when this happened. I told John to put it on a tow truck and we would cover it. That is what happened. Due to the fact that there was no registration or insurance on the vehicle it was tricky to test drive. Breaking a car in on a dyno is not optimal. However, it could have been test driven for 100 miles and had a failure at a 101. These things happen. That is why you deal with reputable companies, like Voss Performance, Roush Performance, Superformance, and Bowler, because they step up not out. This is a complex mechanical and electrical Cobra, not your every day components. John wanted a unique cobra, with power steering, a big 511 IR motor, electronic automatic transmission. Any costs incurred in repairing the vehicle according to the failure, Roush and Bowler will step up and cover it. We are a 4,000 sqft climate controlled facility, if you would like to know more about us visit our website Voss Performance - US.

Not if it was in your neck fusion:LOL:

Repairing an item which did not perform to expectations is not stepping up it is meeting expectations. As far as a complex electrical car, if the ability to build was not present the order should not have been accepted. John did not know what was or was not doable but at minimuim he should have been informed in the end this could be similiar to back surgery and asked if he wanted to continue. Temp tags are always available, I have driven 1100 miles in one day.

I think Erick's going to make it right, and I bet it turns out to be less of a deal than it appeared. And I'm sure TinMan is glad he didn't line up five partners from CravathSwaine and start the stone throwing. Granted, that would have been fun to watch as well.:cool:

Erick,

Thank you for STEPPING UP!!! Stuff happens. It is how you respond that makes all the difference. People on this board have seen all levels and manner of responses to "Issues". Yours is the best.

Thank you,

Jack

Speaking from the peanut gallery, I would offer the suggestion that the car, since it will be six months before Tinman picks it up, be driven more than 100 miles. My car, being far more simple, had a couple minor gremlins pop up well after that first 100 miles. Since the car will be there anyway. Maybe Lance can drive it around SoCal when he's not too busy. :LOL:

I would at least give Voss and the rest of the companies behind this car, a break. Good reputations are hard to build, but quick and easy to tear down. :)

Of course, in Patrick's case, they start bad and remain bad.

Hmmm, Lance Stander is involved now. There is more incentive there now for it to be fixed quickly and properly.
It still may happen, John, that Roush/Bowler/Voss say yes this is what actually happened, we did it wrong, we're sorry, we will fix it for you John, better than new. They could actually turn it around to be a positive thing for themselves as well as fixing it to your satisfaction. A positive PR action rather than a PR nightmare.
Will that happen? Up to you, Roush/Bowler/Voss.
Best wishes John.
Cheers,
Glen

Nothing against Voss performance as I dont know them and have never dealt with them and I hope they provide the level of support needed to get this fixed asap. Stepping up is delivering a car that runs more than 78 miles before it breaks. Stepping up is not trying to point the fingers at everyone else and getting it fixed. For Tin Man's sake I hope you do that. When you spend $100-130K on a car I would expect it can do more than ride around the block, complex or not. An auto trans to a big block isnt rocket science but this 511 seems to elude the smartest people in engine building how to mkae it reliable.

I have a V-8 as the commercial goes but for the $40K plus anyone looking to spend that much on an engine should call KC about a SOHC. It just wasnt available 2 1/2 years ago.

People are smoking crack if they think Roush "steps up" to make things right.Only after months and months and threats of lawsuits do we get a flawed engine back that after 1700 milesand 2 1/2 years is still not sorted out. You are barking up the wrong tree here in Phoenix if you think you will find a supporter of Roush and the 511 here. There are too many of us that have had to deal with them on this motor to EVER reccomend it.

Good post Eric.

Just ignore the armchair quarterbacks that seem to know it all.

These guys can just consider themselves lucky they have not had to deal with John Hennessey. Now that guy is a real slimeball, and that's being considerate.

You guys are commical. I hope I read it wrong over $70K in drivetrain alone??????

You read it right. TM spared no expense.:cool: We tried to no avail to steer him in to a plain ol' Tremec TKO, but he wouldn't hear of it.%/

Sorry for your dilema Tin-Man. There sure have been alot of problems with the 511. I still don't get it!!! Sorting out is one thing. A year and a half and still not right? I am sure all concerned will eventually fix the problem. I still go back to an old saying," How long did it take you to do it wrong".
Gary

Well, technically, it was $70,000+ for the engine, trans and installation alone.

But who's counting dollars and cents when it comes to fulfilling your dreams. ;)

Tinman, sometimes it's 6 months before I can see my Cobra too, and my car is parked in the garage. :LOL:

Took mine for it's first test drive today with the golf clubs....a bunch of wedges, a bunch of 8 irons and about 20 drivers and both of my screws seem to be holding their position. No moving brackets and everything starts up fine :D

70k for the drivetrain :JEKYLHYDE Somewhere out there is a well sorted high end ERA or a nice Kirkham doing this...:p

Glad the ball is rolling in the right direction Tin-man.....

Guys,

Maybe I am the exception to the rule, but I like my 511 and Roush did me right. Todd Andrews took it into his own hands for me and now he works with Lance. This will get sorted out. Sometime you just have to put a little faith in people. It usually will get you farther. Now I have the carb and a manual trans and that just might be the difference. A little old school. I think people put to much trust in computers today. After all it take people to program them "old school ". It will work out.. you have some top notch stuff there.

Lance Stadler is a class act and Superformance would not be who they are without him. Mustang Ranch and KC also provide exceptional customer service. None of the aforementioned are OEM's, but they fill the gap usually at their own expense.

Avanti

I have met 5 people at work who had fusions and there are only about 300 employed. One had 22 years ago, the others anywhere from 8-15 years. All are thrilled and completly pain free, most agree after the first 6 months it all but over, after the first year they forgot it was ever done. One guy regretted he fought it surgery for 10 miserable years, said it was the biggest mistake of his life, he is now 63 and water ski's every weekend.

Spooky I agree Todd is a standup guy and he was the one that kept me from suing Roush through my issues. The csx is an inferior product in terms of build quality to the SPF (I have owned both and can honestly say I wish I would of kept my SPF or bought a Kirkham but now I cant afford to sell it). Unfortunately, even if they take care of it at least 5 out of the first 7 511's spent 7-10 months EACH (your included) with the motor out of car and shipped back to Roush. When we spend $40K+ on a motor, you would think that you wouldnt need to rebuild the engine top to bottom with under a 1000 miles on it.

I love my 511 when it runs correctly but I would love it more it the car ran correctly when I drive it.

Happened to me - three times with the same engine!

It has taken 3 years to finally sort out all of the problems from the initial build. Finally, just this past week I corrected the last "missed" detail from the original install. The beast runs like a scalded dog now - finally.

I feel for ya Tin-Man. I really, really do. I'd like to think that these vendors you are using are the best. Maybe they are. That would be great. But, the reality is that as I have learned - this is hot rodding. Be it crate engine or 70K drivetrain - brace yourself. This will not be the last time this funny looking little car will break your heart.

Amen to that!!

Wow.

Based upon your description(s) when we talked, I am very surprised at the simplicity of the problem, a loose screw in the distributor. And if that is all that it really is, I wouldn't be concerned with pump/thrust bearing issues. A good tune on the transmission controller should resolve the problems we talked about specific to the transmission before and after.

Anyway, it sounds as everyone is stepping up big time to make it right. That in itself should be very comforting. My hat is off to Voss and others.

You do realize I will have to test drive it when you get it back to Phoenix. :D