Whipple and AZ Speed & Marine
 

I just had Arizona Speed & Marine install a Whipplecharger on my Formula 271 because I wanted everything done "right". Here is a recap of their quality work:

Put a tear in the upholstery on my engine cover.

Left my key on. Now, all of a sudden my hour meter shows an extra 60 hours of operation.

Reversed my new port and starboard IMCO exhaust risers, probably because they didn't want to spend the extra time modifying my stock shifter bracket.

Lost the IMCO factory riser hardware on one side so they substituted other hardware, which turned out to be too short.

Used the cheapest damn exhaust hose they could find such that the slight misalignment with the transom kinked the hoses. The inner hot exhaust tubes in the risers ended up touching the hoses at the kink and burned a hole in one of them first time out on the water. It was nice having sooty water blown all over my clean engine compartment as well as very short day on the lake.

Used 1/2" FUEL LINE and hose clamps as a high pressure connection between my remote oil filter and oil cooler. As I was crossing the lake (third time out), this hose failed and blew about 4 quarts of motor oil all over my once pristine engine compartment. Luckily, I was paying attention and shut things down before any engine damage occurred. Someone should be fired for this.

For this level of quality, I waited 5 weeks and paid big big $$$$. I correct all of the problems myself. Jim at AZ S&M has no comment.

IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING DONE RIGHT, DO IT YOURSELF!!!

That sucks! I would think you could sue for the damages, I know I would.

I'm sorry you had the problems you did. I had a Whipple installed over the winter along with rebuilding the engine, and I had a few small problems like the trim gauge did not work, and I chewed a belt up but other than those two things everything come back just the way I left it.

This is not the first horror story I have seen posted here about Arizona Speed. I would never trust them for anything.

I was going to just correct the shortcuts they took and forget about it......until the oil hose blew. That was just beyond stupidity and beyond laziness.

If I save one OSO member grief by steering them away from lousy workmanship, it was worth the time typing this up.

IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING DONE RIGHT, DO IT YOURSELF!!!


I could not have said it better. Trying real hard myself to learn more and more and doing it myself for several reasons.

Sorry you had such a bad experience, but that you for sharing it with all of us.

I think you should edit the title of your post then and delete the Whipple part of it.

Sorry about your problems with AZ.

Von Bongo -
You make a good point.

I couldn't edit the title. Probably because I am not a Platimum member yet. Since many have already read this and won't be back, I'll start a new thread just in case anyone got the idea that the Whipple system was any part of my problems.

If anyone is close enough to Havasu I would highly recommend Bernie Wadekamper, formerly of Whipple, now retired, for any Whipple install or maintenance work. He installed mine and the only problem we had when we put the boat in the water the first time, was timing- he was off one tooth. Other then that the run was flawless. He is quite a character with a ton of experience and over 20 years at Whipple. Dustin at Whipple was the one that recommended him to me. If you want his number E me at - [email protected].

Tom

I have not done business with AZ but have heard several very bad stories. Bad workmanship, never make due dates and they just don't care!!!!!

STAY AWAY

They make thier money on what they charge to recal a computer:rolleyes: !

Grog, sorry to here about your bad experience. I have heard some bad things about them before also. This is one of the reasons I do all of my work.
Do they just hire anyone that comes in the door that say's they know something about boats or what?
I always hate it when you pay someone to do a job, and then it takes you twice as much time to fix their screwups than it took to do the job in the first place.
What are they saying now or won't they talk to you.
Let us know if they are going to fix it and make it right.

So far, I've corrected all of the problems myself. I want to avoid taking my boat back to them unless it is something that will cost me a lot of money to fix myself. Wouldn't you? Especially now that summer is here. I just DO NOT want them working on my boat again!

When I called Jim to chew him out about the oil line (and everything else he screwed up), his response was, "I'll have to talk to my tech about this and get back to you". Haven't heard from him since. It doesn't sound like he is willing to step up to the plate. You're not much for accountability, eh Jim?


My satisfaction comes from looking at the number of reads and responses on this thread. I want my experience to help someone else make an informed decision. For now, the CC bill is paid and all I want to do is enjoy my newfound extra horsepower and chalk everything else up to experience.

The whine on a Whipplecharger is sweet!!!!!!!!!:D :D

The 26P Hydro P5 was a bit underpitched. So far, I've gained 11 mph top end and I am still dialing in the prop. A 27P Hydro P5 is on the way!

Grog
Sorry you had a bad expierence at AS&M, but there are many shops around the country who do great work, otherwise there would not be so many awesome boats running around out there. Congrats to all the guys like you who have enough mechanical ability to do their own, but what about the thousands of other hot boaters who barely know a rocker arm from a lifter?
I think you owe it to the other guys to write Jim a letter detailing the problems and his apparent lack of response. I will always tell people to "write it -don't say it". The written word is much stronger than the spoken one and it might help some other AZ boater from expierencing the same problems at this shop. I would let Jim know you expect an appology and acknowledgement and if you don't get one you will publish your letter on this site. JUST SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
Raylar;)

If you can fix a broken oil line, I'll bet you could have done the install, even with 4 drunken friends a better job than them. Just don'nt start the engine till the next afternoon!