Engine builder scam - Page 9

Jim Wintz · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2006, 04:34 AM

I wish I would have kept count of the people I spoke with that were caught up in this and what they lost, the $150,000 in the artical seems low. I also don't really understand the 6 counts against him, I spoke with about 23 people myself who were caught up in this, about a dozen who posted on this thread and one of my last conversations with the Cheif Deputy I was told they had upward of 60 some people so I am not sure what the 6 counts stands for. I just wish there was some way for all involved could get what they lost back or at least a part of it. I hope this keeps rolling now and this thing gets finished up, over 3 years is way to long for this to come to justice.

WV66AC · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2006, 04:58 AM

The prosecutor and the police will decide on the best cases, and only file enough to get a plea bargain. Usually, a Judge will run the only a few sentences consecutive and that is the max he will get. Break into a house and you will get convicted of a burglary. Break into 10 houses, and they will dismiss 9 and take a plea to a burglary. Thats the usual system.

S S Shari · #3 (**permalink**) 04-16-2006, 10:09 PM

Dont know if it had to do with any of the talking I did but the info I got was that his first arraignment is April 27 . I got the info via e-mail from the victims notification, didnt anyone else receive this too? Write editorials and expose this dude more. We need to choke the system into working for us!!!!!!!!!! Wish everyone involved the best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ripped Off · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 11:09 PM

Wow... I got taken back in 1991 from at Autoshopper Ad in Minnesota for the 383 Stroker. Same exact story about the sick and hospitals EVERYTHING!!!!

I was younger and dumber but it sounds like I got off cheap! $690.00 - I still have my file with all his numbers he gave me and the check he cashed at my Bank in North St. Paul, MN. At the time he was in Clearwater, MN.

I still get mad. Infact I just searched it today and found this. I am still steaming.

Where is he at? I had his sisters number at one time and called her all the time. She moved or dropped her number years ago.

Is he in Jail? Where? Can someone send me any info??? It would make me feel a little better? Sounds like I was taken early for this deal!

Man.... I am still steaming.

Brian
whse4rent@netzero.com

Ripped Off · #5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 11:49 PM

I see he was arrested. Was he charged now? This is like seeing a shrink I feel better knowing I was not the only one??? - Sorry Guys!. Nice going with the thread guys. I still would like to hear what he got? It was not enough! I look to be the beginning of this mess. When I called the cops way back they blew me off and did nothing. I think they could have caught him at the beginning and stopped all these losses.

Man... I can't even sleep now! I would really like to visit and just say HI to him in person.

Brian

Jim Wintz · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 07:44 AM

Latest info I have is that his trial date is scheduled for August 7th at 9:00 am.

This has already changed once so until it gets here it is still open to be re-scheduled based on the courts needs. It can't come soon enough but at least there is light at the end of this dark tunnel, no money, but light.

Jim

Jim Wintz · #7 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 07:02 AM

Just got an update from the Department of Justice.

Last inso said a trial was scheduled for Aug 4th.

The new one states the HEARING is scheduled for Oct. 6th and the purpose of the hearing is to determine if there are issues that the Court needs to address and to schedule any future court dates.

Maybe the can address the issue of my lost funds???

Just an update for anyone who is interested. I assume this update means it is still moving forward, not sure of the steps of progression in our Court system.

WarrenG · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 11:39 AM

I know that I'm getting into this kind of late, but... All this discussion just reinforces what Curt Scott publishes in his book about Cobra Replicas. Basically, you can't do too much research before you give somebody your money. Whether it's for the car/kit or the engine or any other component. I'm in the process of purchasing an ERA and when it came time to find an engine builder I spoke to other Cobra and Replica owners who already had their engines. I also got recommendations from ERA for builders and got references from ERA for clients of theirs that had used different engine builders. I made sure that I spoke to owners that held dealt with the builder recently as well as a couple who had had their engines for several years and had put several thousand miles on their engines. After making a preliminary decision I spent the money for an airline ticket and rental car and travelled from So. Cal to Connecticut to visit the builder's shop and verify that he had the facilities to perform the job. I figured that spending roughly $600 for a few days in CT was alot better than possibly losing several thousand on a deal gone bad. I also figured that given the cost of the project it would end up adding only about 1% to the cost, a small price to pay. I've been back twice as part of other business and know for a fact that my engine is complete and ready to go.

Good Luck getting past this. If anybody still needs an excellent and reputable engine builder I would recommend without any hesitation, Joe Lapine of Danbury Competition Engines in Danbury, CT. It will soon be fall in New England, a fall colors tour would be the perfect excuse to go to CT and if you just happen to end up near an engine shop on the way, so much the better!

Dinobyte · #9 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenG

Good Luck getting past this. If anybody still needs an excellent and reputable engine builder I would recommend without any hesitation, Joe Lapine of Danbury Competition Engines in Danbury, CT. It will soon be fall in New England, a fall colors tour would be the perfect excuse to go to CT and if you just happen to end up near an engine shop on the way, so much the better!

Not to go against your experience, but Joe screwed me big time. He took over two months to do a big block build that should have taken 4 weeks top (due to poor planning on his part...he knew about my build, and used the block for someone else who came in after me). Once he finished and stuck it on the dyno, a rear main leak was discovered. He basically walked away from the build and sent my builder a check for the amount paid. Very disappointing and unprofessional on his part. Other than that, I am sure he is a great guy.

fastraxsg · #10 (**permalink**) 09-30-2006, 10:56 AM

Wow, after reading through all of this, I'm wondering what happened to the Oct. date, is it still on and where can we visit this low life? Does the court or Chief Deputy know where this individual maybe at the moment? How will they get him to show up in court and what happens if he skips? I assume he isn't enjoying 3 squares a day at the local jail house now.

WarrenG · #11 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dinobyte

Not to go against your experience, but Joe screwed me big time. He took over two months to do a big block build that should have taken 4 weeks top (due to poor planning on his part...he knew about my build, and used the block for someone else who came in after me). Once he finished and stuck it on the dyno, a rear main leak was discovered. He basically walked away from the build and sent my builder a check for the amount paid. Very disappointing and unprofessional on his part. Other than that, I am sure he is a great guy.

Sorry to hear about your experience. It surprises me because you are the first out of over a dozen people that I have spoken to either by phone or in person who had anything but good things to say about dealing with Joe or the quality of his motors.

ffindling · #12 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dinobyte

Not to go against your experience, but Joe screwed me big time. He took over two months to do a big block build that should have taken 4 weeks top (due to poor planning on his part...he knew about my build, and used the block for someone else who came in after me). Once he finished and stuck it on the dyno, a rear main leak was discovered. He basically walked away from the build and sent my builder a check for the amount paid. Very disappointing and unprofessional on his part. Other than that, I am sure he is a great guy.

Usually, when I see a post like this, I have to think there's more here than what meets the eye. Joe Lapine has been around for years and has a very good reputation. He has done engine builds for a score of ERA clients and it seems without exception, they're happy campers. But I can't imagine any good engine builder abandonning a build because of leaky rear main. It usually isn't a big deal, replace the seal and proceed on. In this case, the engine wasn't even installed in a car making troubleshooting and repairing
the problem that much easier. I suspect that there is some other issue
here, perhaps Joe didn't build the shortblock in the first place. Many engine
builders are naturally reluctant to spend time and effort to patch up a poorly
done job that someone else did. It's hard to stand behind a product that
you didn't have total control over during its creation. Perhaps the
leak wasn't caused by a bad seal, but out of issues concerning the block
and/or crankshaft. As the saying goes, you can't make bricks without
straw. One can't reasonably expect any engine builder to make a good
engine out of parts that are better off in the scrap pile.

....Fred

Dinobyte · #13 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffindling

Usually, when I see a post like this, I have to think there's more here than what meets the eye. Joe Lapine has been around for years and has a very good reputation. He has done engine builds for a score of ERA clients and it seems without exception, they're happy campers. But I can't imagine any good engine builder abandonning a build because of leaky rear main. It usually isn't a big deal, replace the seal and proceed on. In this case, the engine wasn't even installed in a car making troubleshooting and repairing
the problem that much easier. I suspect that there is some other issue
here, perhaps Joe didn't build the shortblock in the first place. Many engine
builders are naturally reluctant to spend time and effort to patch up a poorly
done job that someone else did. It's hard to stand behind a product that
you didn't have total control over during its creation. Perhaps the
leak wasn't caused by a bad seal, but out of issues concerning the block
and/or crankshaft. As the saying goes, you can't make bricks without
straw. One can't reasonably expect any engine builder to make a good
engine out of parts that are better off in the scrap pile.

....Fred

Joe was responsible for everything...the block, the parts, the build. He did not deliver and wasted 4 months of my time. God bless you if you have a great engine from Joe, but that does not change the fact that he did not deliver and does not seem to be able to communicate issues until the very last minute.

Jim Wintz · #14 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 04:45 AM

The last notifiacation I received from the justice department changed the hearing date to Oct. 17 and the trial date that was scheduled for the 13th of Nov. has been canceled to be rescheduled. Man this is long process.

mamba · #15 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 06:50 AM

Justice delayed means justice delayed.There are many good lawyers,but a real good lawyer knows the judge.

Jim Wintz · #16 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 04:39 AM

I just want to take a quick moment and make sure anyone reading or catchinh up on updates on this original post that Joe Lapine is not the individual that ran the scam that I was caught up in resulting in this thread. I would hate for someone to get the two confused and assume he is involved in the scam detailed in the thread in anyway, he was not.

Thanks....Jim

Dinobyte · #17 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wintz

I just want to take a quick moment and make sure anyone reading or catchinh up on updates on this original post that Joe Lapine is not the individual that ran the scam that I was caught up in resulting in this thread. I would hate for someone to get the two confused and assume he is involved in the scam detailed in the thread in anyway, he was not.

Thanks....Jim

Agreed

While Joe may not have delivered as promised, he did refund the entire amount paid to him for service.

WarrenG · #18 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wintz

I just want to take a quick moment and make sure anyone reading or catchinh up on updates on this original post that Joe Lapine is not the individual that ran the scam that I was caught up in resulting in this thread. I would hate for someone to get the two confused and assume he is involved in the scam detailed in the thread in anyway, he was not.

Thanks....Jim

Sorry, that was my fault. I was trying to help out some of those who were looking for a good builder and the idea that my post could get twisted around negatively never occurred to me.

Jim Wintz · #19 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 01:28 PM

Hey, not a problem, I know how these threads go once they get rolling, I was more concerned about Joe's name getting associated with this situation when it has absolutely nothing to do with him. If someone skimmed through the thread they might put two and two together and come up with six and next thing you know Joe is getting a bad rap he doesn't deserve at all, and I would hate for that to happen to anyone.

Thanks....

Jim Wintz · #20 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 05:17 AM

Well beleive it or not I was just e-mailed this morning from a new individual who found this web site and thread this morning at 1:00 am.

Now for the real bad news, this guy ordered an engine and sent money in December of 05 !!! Just 11 months ago, this guy is operating somewhere! I know I was cantacted last year from someone who claimed to know him and were concerned because it appeard he was trying to start something up again, I hooked them up with the FBI and they passed this information on to them. I cannot believe this is starting up again or stll going on. Plan to call this indiviual this mroning as well as the FBI and see what I can find out.