EP Racing Review

EP RACING REVIEW

With being at the end of my patience.
And being too tired of all the contemplating.

It is with regret that i have to choose to address the forum with my concerns and to raise awareness with my ongoing dealings with EP Racing.
In note of this thread , out of my own enduring, I am wanting closure of this whole ordeal and will try to describe this position of mine as it stands in best and as in a shorter thread as possible.
I am simply wanting closure.


I am currently a customer of EP Racing and began first communicating with Mitchell of EP Racing in August 2010.
After making a decision , I purchased this engine from Jay Shev in late August 2010.....http://www.300zxclub.com/showthread.php?t=177647

From late August 2010 to November 2010, I paid moneys to the value of $US 5650 @ $US300 per week to Jay in exchange of what remained of this engine.....http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/showthread.php?t=300962&highlight=1500hp


Once my inital purchase was complete , I then began paying moneys to EP Racing in exchange of invoiced services and the purchase of parts to complete the engines build.
My EP Racing invoice came to $US 5065
I began making weekly payments towards the invoice in early January 2011.
By mid May 2011, I had payed the invoice in full.

This purchase and payment was a mammoth feat for me as i do not earn a great deal of money in my employment.

It is now June 2012....

With considering the time that has lapsed noted above , i.e. from invoice payment in full up until now.....I now feel that EP Racing's business conduct, for me , has thoroughly hung me dry in every way psychologically.

I can no longer faithfully,trustfully, communicate with Mitchell.
My daily self-debate with myself in questioning what is taking this build so long ...tells me im wasting my time, or more to the point....Mitchell has wasted mine.

The absolute lacking of him towards his overseas customers concerns and further to the regards of keeping an appropriate timeframe are apparent.

In summary, EP Racing is a buisness newly starting up and that has used mine or customers funds/engine builds as timely devices to extend as what seems prolonged intent of infrastructure/marketing exposure.
Whether this is by mere observation or unintent, I'd rather say in all it's by business ethic inexperince.
i.e. Too much focus on busineess start up and new part innovation rather than customer turn arounds.

As for my experience, a marketing type "tool" of exposure has occured, in which that was agreed to personaly by myself, but still, has not delivered my build to me accordingly.

I am simply at this depth of committedness as by being a customer of confidence and in good faith.

Up until recently, I have requested various things to be done to the build and that the requested processing to be verified , and they have not.
Resultingly, I now feel that their is a communication disconnect.
i.e. As if i am being " Blown off "
i.e. Subjectively in adding,.... there is no clarity.

This communication disconnect i choose in a way, because quite simply, this is just to simple.
I mentally can not go on in just.
I have been diagnosed with a disease last year and with the medications juggled,nothing works here. Daily life and keeping a occupation is increasingly going to get difficult.
I noted this to Mitchell 6+ months ago.
The case was put to hurry up as anything can happen to me from here on in. I can loose everything overnight.

So really, quite simply,.... Im waiting for Gary because he has locked the keys in the truck ?......Or more to the point...

Im waiting two months for a pallet to be built.
Then i'll be waiting a month to load it.
Then something else comes up and something the next week and next.
It gets too simple and just drags you down.

The situation is, nothings happening unless i ask whats happening.
Then next month im asking whats happening.
And im in a "Stay tuned" mode.

The responses returned in messages by... noting "updates" of active progress are a.... "Don't call us, We'll call you" in passing, with further simplicity even again in the status content updates.

This engine was built some four months ago. Im waiting months on end for a pallet to be built and loaded, when initially any pallet could have done to journey to the port.
Sure enough build a pallet, but dont take months to do it.

It is now June 2012 (I'll repeat) and this questionable delivery overall , that is being endured should be read by forum members so as they can question this ongoing for themselves.

Whats going on ?

All in all , To date , It has been 390 days since the invoice was paid in full to EP Racing. And the days are still numbering.

I worked hard making weekly payments to purchase the engine.
I worked harder again to pay weekly payments for Mitchell's services.
At what point does the customers long term strife get recognized here by EP.
Mitchell has witnessed me struggle this far like no other customer could.
He has taken my money for intime for a lot longer than the actuall service "carrying-out" time in return.
I am an overseas customer and their is a decency of respect to the timetable and level of consideration.
In my opinion, He has sold to sell and unwittingly accepted peoples money and backlogged his production at his own cost,..... before considering to turn the customers away.


Above all time spent , my engine is still yet to get via (Land transport) the State of Texas too Washington State (Shipping port).
(This land transport timeframe is an unknown and let alone the engine waiting time at shipping dock).

Further, yet to begin a 90-120 days at sea on ship and not including the inevitable timed approach to the ships availability at hand to port....or the processing/loading and inspection time from both ports.

Clearly, EP Racing has no understanding to the respect of the customers turn around timeframe.

Quite simply, I should right now highlight that....What value are the written words that are read over the internet in effort of communicaton after a period of 390 days ?
Words at this time frame loose their worth http://www.aus300zx.com/forum/images/smilies/new/sparta.gif


It is best mentioning that what one says/writes on the internet these days is all not easily interpreted by readers , Let alone from thousands of miles away....and with this instance of the $15,000+ dollars i have at stake......with days , weeks and months forever at no conscience end.....
There's clearly a mental toll here......and it's pointing directly in tangent to the responsibility of this businesses conduct.

Forum readers should count all these days up and look at the numbers. And then bare in mind that their are also other Australian customers waiting for their engine builds again in line behind me.

It has been 390 days since the invoice was paid in full. And i am still waiting. Here is the math....
390 + 90-120 + Land transport and docking time etc etc

In this engine builds case, whats left of the engine purchasers dream.

It's getting closer and closer to two years since AFTER the FULL payment of moneys were paid....AND THESE DAYS COUNTED ARE IF THE ENGINE EVEN SHIPPED OUT TOMORROW! AND MITCHELLS ASSIGNING PICK UP RESPONSIBILITY TO A THIRD PARTY ?

To date, I have advised Mitchell twice that i feel to address the forum members for concern with enduring this time frames conduct.
Indeed stressful , but at some point , paranoia asks...."Does this all have a ring to it ? Im sitting here contemplating the reality. Is it a scam or not ?

After tying $35,000 to a Zed restore and $20,000+ into the drive train, you wonder where you are ?
And whats in the balance ?
Has the spark gone ?
What much is left ?
Was it , and will it have all been worth it in the end ?

What's really the point of buying parts and planning anymore ? I'm giving up.....nothing is for sure.
EP Racing in business has been a moral hazard for me.

....Mitchell , if your reading this, It's a bit rich to write here to this thread.
Sincerely, This is a hollowed broke mans quarrel.
Your business is a one man's show taking on to much for one man, maybe not at your expense, but certainly customers.

I'd recommend that you not enter this thread and I'll honor by deleting in due course, because for me, sitting here typing waiting for just anything , anything.....? .......Is the only way i can see you saving skin on your nose and coming out of this....It's by making sure you wipe your "feet" on the welcome mat on the doorway OUT....this is a REVIEW remember.

If you want more time to deliver , your paying for it.

Dissatisfied Customer Regards.

Now....Read this all twice.
Professionalism is one thing, A customer is another.
I and the forums will now count the days until i take delivery.

 

Isn't there a few on this forum getting an engine built from him ?

Whats their outcome?


.

 

funny thing is that he was viewing this thread at 12.30 am last night and didn't respond???

.

 

That is because zano has asked him not to.

 

An airfare is $1350 return to LA and a tray back rental car for 3 days is cheap, for $15,000 investment. I know what I would be doing.

Find a forwarder here before you go and they will advise their agent in LA so you can drop it off

 

is that what you people pay to go to LA and back .. ddaaammmmmmmmmmm

 

+1 And keep your arrival date to your self.....

 

V Australia had a $900 return sale on a little while back. Good for a quick long weekend away.

 

As regetable as this is Im forced to read the story line that Zane has drawn up. First and foremost I want to apologize to Zane as I've done several times prior to him writing this post. I apologize for the fact that my timing was not properly delegated for this project but there are some major factors that contributed to the delay in Zanes build.

Upon Zane purchasing Jay Shevs build project Zane wanted additional items done to the engine that were not done during the time I was working on the project for Jay. At the time Zane purchased this project the shortblock was already together. The only thing that needed to be done was finish the cylinder heads (clean/assemble) and the entire long block would have been completed. Zane wanted an extensive list of additions to be performed of which required me to completely break down the engine to all its sub components and do extra work to them per his request. This obviously took up quite a bit of time not only in simply tearing the engine done but then machining parts that were already at their final stage of completion. So the level of caution that was to be held had to be high in order to not damage these parts.

Zane requested several things be done to include,

Crankshaft modifications
Piston coatings (additional to what was already there)
Rod coatings
New oil pan (waited on Moroso to furnish these to me)

The list goes on.

During this time I also waited on several occasions for him to send parts or to supply parts to me that he wanted fitted onto his assembly. Now I'm not saying that his time in getting me these parts was the entire issue of his delay as I've stated my timing was not stellar and I admit to that but let the record show that a significant amount of time was sat waiting for him to decide on what cams he wanted which he came here asking for advice when we already had a set of R5s on the shelf he could have used in the build which would have worked out perfectly fine.

Time goes on, Zane emails me regarding his local issues with weather conditions and so forth and its affects on shipping/delivery of his parts he sent himself. No biggie as I was understanding of his circumstances but also realized that the timing was still being prolonged not only from me but from other issues as well. So time continues to tally away.

Zane starts to inquire more about his build and as such I replied with waiting for parts to arrive so I can further my progression for his build. On several occasions he lashes out at me when I never compiled any form of email/phone call to him in the way he presented me. Zane the entire time had up to date info on his engine via facebook as I do all my builds when they are getting to a point where progress can be shown. Whether or not he actually viewed his album I am not sure, he never made mention of it at all but things were being worked on as I kept him up to date when he requested.

Zane then after what he felt was enough waiting began his verbal ways in getting his point across but on several occasions he was contradicting his wants with what he was doing. For instance, he demanded that the engine ship as is and he was was tired of waiting but at the same time he wanted parts he ordered from Ash and or AMS that were never present at my location and he wanted them to be shipped with the engine. I asked repeatedly do you want me to ship seperately or do you want me to ship together with the engine? His answer always was ship with the engine. So a conflict in not only timing but part availability on what he wanted was a continual issue. I can't ship a crate with an engine he wants as is when I don't have his parts he wants me to wait for to send along with the engine. So no matter how this goes I look like the one in question.

After finally deciding on what camshafts Zane wanted he ordered them..which again took more time. I didn't know which cams he purchased so when they did finally arrive I immediatly went to coating them and so forth. Problem arose though..which cams were these from JUN? I never got any information about what series cams these were...well a huge issue came about, these cams required lobe clearance (I found this out after I had already put his heads together after trying to get caught up on his build along with others in the shop. I was never told which cams he purchased but only that some cams required lobe clearance and so others did not...no mention of the cams he purchased required this clearance to be done. At this point I already had the heads on the block. Things were extremely close to being done. I got the heads clearanced and finally got all those issues resolved. So now here I sit. Zane sending me messages still mad that the engine isn't done yet I have photos showing it is done and his parts still not here from other vendors. Its not my responsibility to chase after these vendors so I wait.

I couldn't rightfully have a crate built without all his parts available here because I didn't know to what dimensions this crate needed to be, so a big delay was present. Finally all parts arrive and I began to finally doing a detail process on the engine which include things like masking off, ensuring open areas were covered etc etc. I located a company that sold this specific material for international shipments which also were able to build me a crate out of this stuff as well. This took time in which the materials had to be ordered then treated and then built/assembled. After that it has to go through a certification process. I don't make the rules thats whats needed for customs/international law when shipping containers.

So here we lie...finally all parts are here, crates here, engines done and in the crate as I've told Zane several times and here I am writing this lengthy reply to a review (if you can call it one) about his experience. I truthfully feel responsible in a way for the timing of events but part of that responsibility I can not take on. I tried my absolute hardest in working with Zane in getting him what he wanted and to even include additions at no cost just for the delays I imposed. Zane made no mention of those in here though. I fully understand Zanes reluctance on believing anything but at the same time...if he felt this was a scam or lack there of why would he have parts shipped to me rather than directly to himself. I find the theory of him even considering this transaction a scam or anything remotely ressembling one a bit far fetched. I was in constant contact with Zane from day one. Never not responded to him, never fed him any form of lie or story. I did take too much time and I admit that is my fault 100% as I could have done things faster but there again, if the engine was done at a sooner point I'd of still been waiting for his parts that he wanted shipped with his engine. Not saying that was the entire hold up but he insisted that this engine NOT ship till the parts were at my location. I asked him repeatedly about this, even though he...lack of better words "verbally assualting me" he would still demand the parts ship with his engine.

So in the end when its all said and done...could/should I of handled Zanes build in a more timely manner..absolutely and for my issue in this Zane was given quite a bit of perks as a form of apology for this. He was given multiple parts and I even coated his manifolds for him at no charge. It was the least I could do to show how sincere I was in my lack of performance in my time management.

The one issue I have here is that Zane threatened me with this "review" of sorts and I requested that he hold off on doing so until he got his engine and it was running. At least then he could give an accurate evaluation to not only express his concerns on the timing issue but also report on the engine itself and its performance. I feel this thread was started out of anger and not as a review. I think this would have been much more productive in the way of giving a detailed feedback on my product (service) in the way of how well my engines perform rather than my time management. Afterall this is what this thread is about....my time management not my product/services. I've in the recent months had my work load stack up on me and that is an issue Im working resolving to keep customers on a time schedule with doing work for them and carrying out engine builds. Its difficult to find good help that is knowledgeable in the way of know how to do what I want them to do. In a rounded way good help is hard to find. I try to keep quality at an all time high which is why I do all my own work and if I let others in to carry the work load I have to work even harder to ensure my quality is maintained per the company ethic. it really is a fine line honestly.

Overall, if given the chance to do things differently I would and for that I'd ensure a lot of things were done more efficiently/effectively. But this road is what was driven on and I can't take back or undo what has been done. All I can do is continue forward and learn from my mistakes and ensure they don't happen again. Again I admit my fault in my time delay but I also want others here to know that it wasn't just my fault on the reason why Zanes engine took so long. It was a compound of issues. Im not blaming anyone at all and if I am to blame anyone for anything I'll take the wrap, but I want others to know that there is definately a second side to this story of which was not mentioned here per Zanes review.

To date, Zane has not paid for the shipping materials and crate to be built/certified. This must be paid in order for his crate to be shipped. No where in his receipts does it state that these materials are paid for as an included item in his invoice. I've emailed Zane this invoice and have yet to receive payment for the crate of which I have personally paid for to get his engine ready for shipment. His engine has been crated up now for over a week now. I have no moved onto more work that is residing in my shop currently that I must continue on and or complete. If anyone here has any questions or concerns please email me directly at tech@epracing.net. I have a few orders for a couple current Aussie members but they have all been updated on their order status and their parts are on time and scheduled as such.

I wish I didn't have to come here and do all of this but its something that had to be done as if I didn't I would be branded someone who doesn't care nor has any consideration for his customers and or future customers.

 

Nearly two years...

...I agree with you, not stellar.

 

I have got to say Zano has a lot more patience than me. That said i can see where some of the delay lies in waiting on parts but 2 years seems a little crazy. I would like to think that EPR does truly understand Zanos fustrations and understands that the only way Zano felt he could get things moving along was to start a post on his grievances. I just wish Zano a speedy delivery a his motor and once it's in and humming he gets great enjoyment out of it.
Cheers Dave

 

IMO, and unbiased towards either party, I'll throw some thoughts out there...

If I were financing a big build, I'd probably put the ordering of parts and the whole scope of the project into the hands of the engine builder. Especially if I were running a tight deadline. Trust in the engine builder to get the job done as per his/her claims, in agreeance with the project scope BEFORE the build commences is the key. For example: "build me a 600HP engine, please suggest suitable turbos, cams and coatings to achieve this. I'll need the engine for [dyno quees/circuit/drag/street] duties".

In project management circles, it's called 'scope creep', where the actual desired outcome of the customer is a moving target. In reality, all these small, seemingly insignificant games of email / phone 'tag' and parts ordering/delivery timeframes results in a very fragmented project flow. Where a project is managed end-to-end by the engine builder you are most likely to get the best outcome.
Engine builds by nature are linear in their project flow- ie machining comes before assembly, parts influence machining, etc etc. Expecting an in-and-out service without all variables 'locked in' beforehand is a tall task.
I'm not going to comment on the time frame of this example, other than saying that the speed of work by an artisan is slower than that of a production line. Customization of a project COSTS (time, money, effort)

 

I'm basically agreeing with what Mitch has said above.

I've just had a full race engine built in VIC. The engine builder use pretty much all local parts and suppliers and he selected all the components. He also worked pretty much full time on the engine and things were redone occastionally too. The project was started in November and im only looking at recieving the engine at the earliest in July.

My point? Building proper engines takes time and if you are chopping and changing spec half way through, waiting for parts and supplying unknowns I can see how this could blow out timewise quite easily. You cant expect EPR to sit there and wait for your parts and you to make up your mind when he obviously has other customers in just as much hurry as yourself.

I dont mean to be harsh but it sounds like your health issues are weighing in on your judgement a bit on this one. I've been the victim off a rip off mechanic before and this doesnt sound like it's the case here to me. Time isnt going to be on yourside getting something like this built on the otherside of the world?

I guess this will turn into another Aus300ZX hatred witch hunt, which is the only reason I weighed in because I hate that.

 

Mitchell has now actively ceased the Facebook friendship that we use to communicate by cancelling friends.

I have not received any invoice for building the pallet via email as of yet.
How can i pay for the pallet and delivery ? I have not received any invoice.

Mitchell, can you post the invoice to this thread.

 

Yes because your last message to me was you are severing communication that route. Im only going by what youre doing and stating to me. Do you not remember that message? I posted my email address...if you want to contact me you can do so through that avenue.

As for the links...I urge you to contact 94ttz32 and get his view after he made 700whp on my assembly. His tune sounded much different after he got tuned and Ash explained to him what was up. Charles is a friend of mine and a customer. So your drama antics are not working there. As for 3zc...really? The admins have personal issues with me...theyve yet to contact me to figure a resolution..so they can continue their hate fest all they want.

 

Mitchell, can you post the invoice to this thread.

I would prefer to communicate the remaining of this engines delivery through this thread rather than email.
There is little else to be completed than the pick up to transport.

I am asking you to post the invoice to this thread and I will pay just as soon.
So as the community can see.
You claim to have sent me an invoice, that i have not yet received.

 

Shouldn't your business transactions be carried out in the private arena?
Communicate by PM if you have to, but right now, it just seems like you want it out in the open for the benefit of the community at large, but you are starting to look like a bit of a goose.

 

Why can it not be out in the open? You're sounding like one of those people that refuses to reveal what they paid for an item. This customer is choosing to do it here as he clearly believes it will help and is comfortable with it. Saying such things is of no help to anyone. Respect to you Mitch, no beef with you just sincerely disagree.