What to ask?

[Laminge]

I have noticed over the last several years, people tend to complain that once they have spent dollars on their car, all hell breaks loose when something goes wrong.

I have been there, with my EB, strapped on a vortech and everything went to hell, if only!

So my quest is to determine what questions do you think should be asked at the time of initial discussions, should we actually arm ourselves with a check list and have the mechanic in question sign it off?

There are probably a couple of different topics or modifications groups you could lump it into, so I would be interested in your thoughts on

Supercharges
Turbos
Exhausts
Tyres and Rims
Cam Work
Basic Mods

I suppose some of the most basic questions are

What effect with this mod have on my warranty and what do you as my mechanic cover?
What development has gone into this product and what are the power gains?
Do you provide a before and after Dyno?
What after care should I expect?
Have you heard of the Australian Ford Forums and why are you not a sponsor?
etc

[EA2BA]

How long do you need the car for?
Can you at least drop me back home, as you need the car for 2 years ?

[pandaman]

it might also be a good idea to do some research by asking people who have already done the mod in question or something similar. The guy selling it to you is most likely gonna put as positive a spin on it as possible. I like the idea of getting them to tick off a written checklist, but you might find some people would be reluctant to do so.

Myself, i reckon that most important is safety ie. what safety issues if any are related to this mod? etc. Performance increase, value, and legality are also concerns.

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by Laminge

I have noticed over the last several years, people tend to complain that once they have spent dollars on their car, all hell breaks loose when something goes wrong.

I have been there, with my EB, strapped on a vortech and everything went to hell, if only!

So my quest is to determine what questions do you think should be asked at the time of initial discussions, should we actually arm ourselves with a check list and have the mechanic in question sign it off?

There are probably a couple of different topics or modifications groups you could lump it into, so I would be interested in your thoughts on

Supercharges
Turbos
Exhausts
Tyres and Rims
Cam Work
Basic Mods

I suppose some of the most basic questions are

What effect with this mod have on my warranty and what do you as my mechanic cover?
What development has gone into this product and what are the power gains?
Do you provide a before and after Dyno?
What after care should I expect?
Have you heard of the Australian Ford Forums and why are you not a sponsor?
etc

How exactly do you propose this is done? Each individual aim the questions at prospective suppliers/installers, or some group questionaires from the forums.

I find most vendors are very stand-offish about what they offer and it always seems to be a battle between the dishonesty of vender verses the dishonesty of owners. Wild promises and unrealistic expectations are not hard to find. And this applies equally to stockers as it does to medded vehicles.

Obviously warantee support ect will be on differing scales, based on the initial service cost, the actual and intended usage of the vehicle, where ongoing service is performed etc.

[Racecraft]

To the unimformed or the chequebook modders who don't research everything before they go shopping itemised quotes are the key, mechanics and merchants that spend the time to give you a written itemised quote seem more than willing to do good business.
Weather it is as simple as jotting down a quick quote on a business card or a page and a half list of everything, it lets the customer know exactly what he is getting for how much money. Once you have the quote, it is easier for you to find testimonials, compare and challenge any work you are getting.

So my one simple qusetion would be "Can I have that quote in writing please?"

I guess as Laminge alluded to it becomes more prenounced when you are going forced induction as there are alot of hidden costs/components that are the difference between a good deal and a great deal.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Few more questions:

-Have you ever done THIS modification before?
-Are you familiar with THIS model of vehicle?
-I'll do it myself, can ihave my keys please?

Regarding some sort of sign-off.. I think you would be doing well to find a mechanic willing to take on that liability...

Having said this, there is absolutely no harm in being well prepared. The forums and internet are wonderful things when it comes to research... i spent a few months reading up on supercharging, considering what i was lookin for (and of course, budgetary constraints), this eventually led me to the decision that a basic powerdyne kit was the go. Id even "walked through" the install 20 times over before i even ordered the kit.

[parawolf]

I think all sorts of things like:

Will an engineering certificate be included with that?
Will these modifications be emissions compliant?

[EA2BA]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Few more questions:
-I'll do it myself, can ihave my keys please?

After I stuff it up, will you charge twice as much to get it running again ? ... lol

[toby123]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Few more questions:
-Are you familiar with THIS model of vehicle?

OMG!! I wish I asked that to the guy that fitted my ECU the first time! :

[mcflux]

Here's a good one to ask: "How about legal issues? Are there any with <insert mod here>?" IE suspension height, exhaust loudness/emmissions, etc. I was offered an exhaust system minus cats once, and I decided to shop elsewhere.

And the question everyone's been asking: "Where's my elephant?"

-Dave-

[bindi]

VIP ones - especially for the ppl who don't know so much about cars.

Can you show me the parts you took out of my car and explain to me in detail what they do and why they are dead? And then show me new ones so that I can see the difference?

Because I have heard of shonky mechanics who charge you for stuff and don't really do the job.

[b2tf]

I like this idea Gary and while it is a good one, if it's utilised by people remember to add your own queries that apply to your particular situation.

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

-Have you ever done THIS modification before?
-Are you familiar with THIS model of vehicle?
-I'll do it myself, can i have my keys please?

Those are spot on, too often have I found people who say "Oh we thought it was a normal Falcon" or something to that effect. It's also a little unnerving when they say "well Ive never done one before......", but usually you can tell if they're honest and genuine or not. All tradespeople who work on my car are ones recommended to me by a friend of mine who works in the new car industry, and thus if he trusts them enough to work one new GT's etc, so do i.