MX946 Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I purchased a 2003 Silverado SS about 4 1/2 months ago. I immediately brought it to a friend of a friend that has a shop in Denver doing misc. custom work on trucks. We started out just doing heads exhaust, tune and paint. We ended up going quite a bit further with the build. Here is a short list of the mods that have been done. You will have to forgive me for my lack of knowledge on the parts installed. I am not a mechanic just a guy that loves fast trucks. Im hoping to get some feedback on what these items would normally cost and what I can do to make sure he installed the right parts and did a good job. Its been 4 1/2 months hes had the truck and its just now in for paint. I stopped by the paint shop and got to start it up. It sounded good, but still needs to be tuned. The main reason for my concerns and lack of trust with the mechanic is because ive recently caught him lying to me about miscellaneous items and now im questioning everything. Any feedback and help would be greatly appreciated! 408 stroker kit ARP bolts forged pistons I think Eagle Dart Pro 1 aluminum heads comp cam headers flowmaster muffler 2 chamber loud 1000cc injectors torque converter Melling high volume oil pump Machine shop block bore deck head surface 295 liter per hour fuel pump friction modifier Wideband 02 sensor Paint Tint Stereo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1BAD2K Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Hmm. Sounds like you have him doing a lot of work. I wouldn't know how to tell if he built the 408 without disassembling the motor. Why is he putting it in paint if the tuning isn't done? I would want the thing running and dialed in before the finish goes on..... maybe question him on what he is waiting for on that front..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downeast Johnny Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Welcome to the site Jake. Sorry to hear about your anxiety with your mechanic. I think that I would try and find other customers who have experience with your mechanic. Ask the mech. for receipts for the parts that he claims to have put in the truck, (His receipts). Worst case, take him to court and get the court to make him prove that the parts were purchased and installed. Good luck man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Make sure he gives you documentation of the parts he is using instead of just saying, converter, heads etc. I would more specific info, like brand size etc of every part, man hour etc. I got screwed out of $21 grand this way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1BAD2K Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Holy cap that's a lot. You must have extremely high ability to control yourself.... if it were me, I'd be logging into the site through prison WiFi haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX946 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Hahaha thanks for the replies everyone! Im excited to get this thing back. I agree with you bad2k I wish it was 100% ready when I pick it up from paint. The painter is doing black with a hint of pearl cherry, should be bad ass. The guy doing the work is going through some personal issues that are obviously not my problem. Im paying about 23,000 for all this work which also includes a few things I didn't mention like lowering, dyno mat, new front end basically, other misc. small things. I didn't think it was a bad price but maybe someone could give me some feedback on that as well. Another thing he mentioned that started worry me was him telling me originally that he would install a switch to convert the truck from awd to 2wd on the fly. He claimed I would be able to launch in AWD and then hit the switch and go into 2 wheel drive. I did a little research online and seems that's not possible. Any experience with that? Also, he claims I will be putting down approx. 550 whp. That seemed a little high to me for being n/a. The true test will be on the dyno next week and I will gladly post results. Should I or do you think I will need to rebuild my rear end? Or transmission to handle the power? Thanks again for the feedback guys, appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Holy cap that's a lot. You must have extremely high ability to control yourself.... if it were me, I'd be logging into the site through prison WiFi haha. I Almost did, the only thing that stopped was the cops were already there as they didnt want to give my car back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downeast Johnny Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Hahaha thanks for the replies everyone! Im excited to get this thing back. I agree with you bad2k I wish it was 100% ready when I pick it up from paint. The painter is doing black with a hint of pearl cherry, should be bad ass. The guy doing the work is going through some personal issues that are obviously not my problem. Im paying about 23,000 for all this work which also includes a few things I didn't mention like lowering, dyno mat, new front end basically, other misc. small things. I didn't think it was a bad price but maybe someone could give me some feedback on that as well. Another thing he mentioned that started worry me was him telling me originally that he would install a switch to convert the truck from awd to 2wd on the fly. He claimed I would be able to launch in AWD and then hit the switch and go into 2 wheel drive. I did a little research online and seems that's not possible. Any experience with that? Also, he claims I will be putting down approx. 550 whp. That seemed a little high to me for being n/a. The true test will be on the dyno next week and I will gladly post results. Should I or do you think I will need to rebuild my rear end? Or transmission to handle the power? Thanks again for the feedback guys, appreciate it He must not have known what he was looking at when he told you he could wire a switch to go AWD to 2WD. As far as I know that is not possible. I would mod the trans, (Assuming that it is still the stock 65), before I even put it on the dyno. Shift kit, servo's, larger trans cooler. You will get more benefit from the engine mods and your trans will live longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 From what this guy is talking about, I would go somewhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX946 Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Good advice ill take it. So far the engine was broke in at the machine shop. Right now since its not tuned but starts up, wont really idle, im thinking its just running on the stock computer so the paint guy can move it around the shop. It sounds like theres quite a bit of work that needs to be done before I can really drive it. Ill tow it somewhere else... anyone from Denver that knows the best place you could take this to get it finished up? Any opinions on AWD vs 2wd on a higher hp truck if you had the choice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianVRss Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 2wd is more work than its worth. Besides, a 408 with AWD will rip your face off from a dig if its set up properly. Hit up zippy for a tune, he'll get that thing dialed right in. As for a new mechanic, I couldn't tell ya bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MX946 Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 2wd is more work than its worth. Besides, a 408 with AWD will rip your face off from a dig if its set up properly. Hit up zippy for a tune, he'll get that thing dialed right in. As for a new mechanic, I couldn't tell ya bud. Ive been reading posts on here for quite a while now. Ive heard the name Zippy quite often. How does it work for a tune? I was under the impression you had to bring it to someone with a dyno and they basically run it, and adjust the computer accordingly? I also heard of someone "sending you a tune". Im assuming on a flash drive or programmer or something? Never done this before.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianVRss Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Ive been reading posts on here for quite a while now. Ive heard the name Zippy quite often. How does it work for a tune? I was under the impression you had to bring it to someone with a dyno and they basically run it, and adjust the computer accordingly? I also heard of someone "sending you a tune". Im assuming on a flash drive or programmer or something? Never done this before.... He would send you a tune on a PCM. Then you just replace yours with the one he sends. Give him a call and also ask about HPTuners. That might be something you'd be interested in. After having this expensive build done you'd want the tune to be spot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I agree.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03SSBoy Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/4596212251.html this is a fellow member on here. he also has a build on his truck you should go and check them out and check if everything is right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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