FlatLander Racing...what an A$$
 

Well some of you guys have seen my posts as of late.....I'm thinking of upgrading my engines either by stroker kits or a crate short block. To make a long story short I was pointed tward Flatlander racings web site after looking at all there kits I emailed there tech guys about a 509 short block they basically told me I was an Idiot! dont wast my money buy a 540 from them, well I'm a little scared of the torque of the 540 (I have Merlin oval port heads) and asked them If they would build the 509's. Again they told me not to waste my money, what happened to the customer is always right? just give me a price.....well I asked them just that " isn't the customer always right? The guy emails me back tells me that he's been in the biz for 50 years has forgotten more than I will ever know and tells me that He thought like me too when he was 13.... what an ass! I was ready to spend almost 8k on short blocks and the guy gives me a bunch of crap like that... I wouldn't buy a washer from them if they were the last Harware store on earth!!!!!Just venting!!!!!

Well I understand if they had good reasons for not wanting to build you a 509, but to talk down to you, calling you an idiot, is wrong. How would they treat you if you had a problem down the road? IMO, the customer is not always right, but needs to be educated and told why.

Have you looked at Cobra's website? I think they sell shortblocks. Keep looking, you'll find something.

Sorry, it was Chief's web sit but they changed their product list, and their prices have gone up.

I would email the guy back with this thread attached. Maybe next time the guy will act a bit different. Atleast he will see that some people other than himself may know what they are talking about.

Well the guy might need to polish his people skills. But he might be trying to steer you in the right direction. How much more is the 540 from the 509. I understand what you are saying about the extra torque but that could be avoided by how you drive the boat. Extra HP and torque would be a hard thing to turn down for me, if it only cost a little more. :) :cool:

The 540 and the 509's are the same price but like I told him if you blow the drives to pieces its game over! I'm not looking for the most horsepower I can get, just the most reliable package I can put together for the money! If the guy had given me an explination of why I should opt for the 540's I would be the first to sit and listen, I'm no expert and dont pretend to be just a weekend Power boater looking to build a good package. The guy has the public relation skills of a pitbull on Crack!!! One more thing about the 509's its the Crate motor offered by Teague...if its good enough for him its good enough for me to consider!

try this guy www.goodwincompetition.com

Don't waste your time with them...there are plenty of other engine builders that will be more than happy to discuss engine options with you.

However, I do agree with your reaction to their comments, if they treat all customers like that, nobody will want to do business with them and they'll suffer as a result. Obviously, they could care less though. I wonder how their support after the sale is handled?

I'm not sticking up for this guy but the 540 will let you spin a bigger prop with less RPM's cruising. And if you handle the sticks well the drive should hold togeather for you. Just something to think about.

Dyno!!
I know what you are saying. I always try to give a guy the best advise I can. I also give him what he wants if I can and if I don't think it will break. Even then, I don't tell him he has a problem, but that for some reason I can't do what he asked. For your outdrive problem, think about a 499 engine. They are a little down on torque from a 509, but not much and they make just as much power at a slightly higher rpm, get better fuel economy, and last forever!! KAAMA had a similar problem. Ask him. I can help and I understand what you want!! pm for details!!!!!!!!

Robert you have a PM!!!!

That seems to be a recurring theme with these engine shop guys. They want to do it their way and screw you if you want them to do it your way. I have run into that problem more than once and presently have the same problem trying to find a machine shop to do what I want them to do.

Short Blocks..
 

Dyno,

Why not check with Wolfee right there in your own back Yard, South west Michigan? I have his number at the office if you need it let me know and I will PM it to you..:D :D
eliminator219

Shooting themselves in the head!
 

Dyno, sounds like things at Flatlander are going perhaps a little too well. They can't be too hungry for business if they talk to a potential customer like that!

Too Old has a good point!

Dyno,
Just fax Flatlander Racing a copy of the invoice once you buy so he can see the sale he missed.

GLH thats a great Idea!!!!

Hey dyno,

I thin you did the right thing. You walked away before taking the dive. The way they treat you now will pale in comparison to down the road!

I know you will have several offers here on the board, but here's one more. Fuestal racing in Texas has done a great job for me and my friends and I know he stands behind his work. Frieght pales in comparison to bad work. Hans fuestal (817) 244-2455.

Good luck either way!

Thanks Man!!!!