GTM MHI Kit Group Buy Participants...

09nismo498

Wow... you know its not good when the test car backs out... Well good news on my end finally. Refund check has been received, deposited, cleared, and successfully spent! Good luck to anyone still in this group buy. Not sure how many people are left, but hopefully this all gets worked out for you guys, and you receive your kits. For the record, it took 38 days to receive my refund.

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2013 370z Nismo Turbo
2017 Lexus IS200T F Sport (DD)

Dzel

There you go Al you still have a chance

Sent with TapAhoe

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10secWS6
IF YOU CAN'T SWING IT THEN DON'T BRING IT! Check out Domestic Performance C.C.

Alstann

Not to stir the pot, but I have something that I would like to add. This should be a pretty unique perspective on things.

I had the unique experience of actually walking in and physically visiting the GTM facility last week. I was on spring break vacation in California, and I spent a morning in Rancho Cucamonga and visited the GTM shop itself. I went in with a few thoughts:

-What information can I get on the status of the kit?
-Would it be possible to get a refund on the spot?

I am going to try to be impartial as possible. I feel like I hold no regards to any particular company as my go to, and at the end of the day, I am a 370z owner who is simply in the market for a turbo kit.

Up to this point, I'm going to divulge that I have paid for the kit, in full, since the first day they accepted payment. I went to my bank, did a transfer, and got an invoice the same day, with a signed payment, and bank receipt. I have patiently waited since then. I do understand the difficulties of undertaking such a large scale operation such as this, and as a person who understands the prototyping/manufacturing side of industries, I have been patient. I was however, near my wits end waiting for the kit. I was beginning to think about getting a refund.

Anyways, let's talk about my visit. I went in around noon or so, and to be honest, I was pretty excited. Always wanted to visit a big name shop like this, and it was cool being able to. I walked in, and met Pedro, explained who I was (customer for the MHI kit), and asked him to see Sam if possible. I was told he was on the way in and would be there in an hour or so.

I debated waiting, but told him if it was possible to leave a message. I went into the main shop area with the cars and parts and such. I was then introduced to Matt@GTM, and spoke with him. I voiced my concerns with the kit delays and was asking if there was any more information regarding ship dates or anything.

I was told that in all honesty, the cast parts have begun trickling in. There currently are many orders from many companies from this foundry (I'm assuming both automotive and non automotive), and they are slowly fulfilling all the orders for whatever companies have ordered from the foundry. At this point, Matt was giving me a walk around the place, showing me various projects they have been working on, such as the GT-R manifold conversion (I was able to take a peek at the rapid prototype piece they have), various shop cars, such as the 1000hp car and a twin supercharged car, and I did see a couple forum member's cars there (can't remember whos exactly, sorry!) I also saw many other projects that I found were simply awesome, ranging from small to large - but I'll let GTM chime in on such projects and parts when they are ready to do so.

Also, the pipe bender is fully operational. Matt mentioned that the bender, running full tilt, could bend pipe for several kits within hours. Therefore, they decided to withhold bending all the pipe and would rather bend it as needed - most likely to save warehouse space and costs of holding onto inventory. I also noticed that another employee there, and Matt mentioned this as well, that there was test fitting of the pipes on an MHI car going on. He was testing all the pipes to see if they are lining up perfectly and clearing everything. Moral being, that even though they are waiting for the cast parts, they are still refining and making everything perfect.

I did also see the prototype first run manifolds. Man those things are sweet. They are indeed as awesome to look at in person as they are in the pictures. Simply beautiful. They have taken note of how the older design on the older Garrett kits have had some cracking issues, and these have been designed to be stronger and withstand the weight of the turbos better.

Matt spent the better part of an hour walking me around and chit-chatting car talk - a pleasant experience. He mentioned that he did a master cylinder conversion for his car, of which I mentioned how I had done one as well and did my writeup. He recognized me as my forum handle, which I suppose lended some credibility to who I was. Not saying I'm cool or nothin.

In that hour, from Matt, I was given an honest perspective on how things were. He told me that he would not give me a timeframe, because he did not want to lie to me and give me an expectation that may or may not be met. The cast parts have begun trickling in, and I'd much rather hear that they want to not announce anything else until they have a "for sure" time frame.

Also, not to stir the pot, but I did also learn that out of the 100+ people on the list, you could probably count on two hands who has actually paid for the kit. And that is from G37 and 370z people. I did not ask Matt for exact numbers, as I did not feel like that was any of my business, but let that put something in perspective - I personally feel like many members have posted their concerns, but are not financially committed. And I did not mean this in a "step-on-your-toes" kind of way.

All in all, I felt satisfied. Personally speaking, if I was able to get a refund on the spot, I would have nowhere to go for a turbo kit that I found satisfactory. The only three kits I have considered at this point are GTM, FI, and BP. Even though I left with no ship date, I honestly could say that I left with a better perspective of how things are going.

From here, it will be a more personal perspective. I really did appreciate the visit and the information I received from Matt. At the end of the day, I honestly felt like I spoke to an individual who was very interested and passionate about his work, and that's the thing - GTM is more than just a company. There are people who show up day to day, and are working towards getting products out and new ones created.

Also, without offending anyone, especially Tony@FI, I would like to point out that the Fast Intentions kits took a while to get out, and Tony was doing a pre-order for (originally) 10 kits, versus GTM having to attempt to fulfill a much larger quantity of orders.

I do personally think there has been many issues with communication, but then again, that's on your perspective. I've gotten much more done with phone calls and emails, than messages on a forum, and that goes for all companies, not just GTM. Time will tell to see what happens. GTM has no reasons to slow down getting this kit out. Matt told me that he can't wait to see the day that they finally ship all the kits out, and this is all behind them. I hope it works out. ^^

Sorry for such a long post!

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Chuck33079

Good luck with that.

Maybe at some point you'll start to see that what you describe as a mob mentality bashing GTM is more accurately described as people who have had experiences and issues with GTM trying to save people from making the same mistake. That's what a community does- help out by telling others not to make the same mistake they did. Did you expect us to hold your hand and tell you it's ok while everybody in the group buy except you hits the eject button?

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

elperuano

Gotta agree there.
It's in black and white. Everyone BUT said company keeps chiming in. People who waited from beginning (one donor car I believe) couldn't wait anymore.
Guys just know how it has played out BEFORE so it would only be right to inform those who are on the fence to be wary.

Alkatraz

The question then becomes, why speak up now and not far earlier? Why are so many speaking up now who were positive in the beginning.

Not being able to wait is one thing and is perfectly understandable. Talking positively 6 months ago, then pulling out and saying that everything was obviously bad from the start and that those who have not pulled out like they have must be idiots for not knowing, is something completely different.

I call it mob mentality......

Anyway, I digress.....

For those still involved in the group buy I have a funny feeling that something might happen within the next 48hrs.....call it a hunch........

elperuano

If that's the case Alstann should be very upset with the answer he got.

Chuck33079

Yeah, it's all just blown out of proportion.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

Alkatraz

Mob Mentality
"When a group of people has assembled because they're emotional and angry about something, it only takes one act of violence to whip the crowd into a fury. Others will follow the initial rioter's lead and begin destroying property or hurting people. A lot of research has been conducted into the mindset of a violent mob. Being part of a group can destroy people's inhibitions, making them do things they'd never otherwise do. They lose their individual values and principles and adopt the group's principles, which, during a riot, are usually to cause destruction and avoid detection. This standard can seem to be a just and righteous one, since the mobs assembled after an act of perceived inequality or unfairness, and the communal emotion can make the cause seem even more important. Being in the midst of a mob can be exciting and powerful, and it can make people feel invisible -- they are part of a huge group, and they won't be detected or held responsible for their actions."

Go back through this thread, the other one that I started recently and any other GTM related threads and try to find me some examples of when any positive feedback towards GTM has been liked by a large group. Or more specifically by those individuals whom have been the most vocal in a negative way in these threads recently. You wont find any. Once these people have got it in their head that they are right, they refuse to see things objectively or from a balanced viewpoint and therefore choose to ignore comments which disagree with their point of view. This is also true of myself. I am more likely to believe the positive comments over the negative as I have a vested interest. That being said, i can also pull out of the MHI deal at any time which helps to give balance and helps me see things more objectively.

The post by Alstann just a little earlier today is the perfect example. Constructive, helpful and providing information which helps those who are involved in the group by, that post has been practically ignored.....

Chuck33079

Where in his post did he tell everybody the new estimated time frame for the kit to ship? I would think that's what most people would be waiting on. Otherwise his post said the cast parts are "trickling in" and they'll get started to bending pipe sometime down the line. That made you feel better?

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

Alkatraz

And back to the lame insults......congrats.

I didn't say that it made me feel any better. Did you completely miss the entire point of my post?

Alstann was simply providing his opinion/feedback based on what he has experienced recently. After going to the trouble of writing a very long post, no one even responded or clicked the like button. However, every time someone posts up a quick, negative one-liner it gets 'liked' by several of the 'mob' within a few minutes.

Safety in numbers would be another way of looking at it.

Chuck33079

Keep at it, guy. I'm trying to figure out which you'll get first- a clue or your turbo kit.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

jwick

We should start a pool. Only problem is it could very well end up a push and no money will change hands.

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'10 G37T 6MT Graphite/Graphite - BP - G37T Build

elperuano

He just reiterated what George said few weeks ago.
Alstann story sounds almost exactly like someone else's few weeks ago I believe. He too is out the group buy if im not mistaken.
I'm happy for his "experience" but here we are almost more than a year later and nothing has changed. What's to like? Not taking anything away from you Alstann.

Chuck33079

Back when George posted here

Exactly. This kit has made zero progress over the last 6 months. People were telling you it was FUBAR then. Nothing's changed.

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2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent