OMG! I brought the new conversion home last night!

[jflip2002]

No one is fucking helping, they are talking shit, Hoss. This happened in June of 2008, so by now its over and done with. Hes not getting any money back, nothing can be done. So its only going to take away from his joy. Ive been in a relative boat when spending a couple grand on reef tank equipment. It takes away the joy when people just knock it and say you could have gotten it cheaper, or it could have been done better, etc, etc.

So you too, can suck a dick, and stop trying to be a peace maker.

[TrentW]

Nice lookin car. Nothing like a bunch of shit bags to start knocking the cost, cleanliness, noting how they could do it better, cheaper, blah blah blah. Shits on a good thread the OP made for being happy about having his car back, with a new motor in it. He obviously felt it was fair. He trusted their work, he trusted their price, so who is anyone to tell him that he paid too much? All haters, suck an under priced cock.

Whoa--those is harsh words Hoss. Can't we all just get along and express thoughts that may help someone down the road also? Isn't that what the purpose of these forums are anyway?

[blunttech]

I don't think anyone is arguing that it costs alot to run a shop. 14k is just too much though. Especially considering TSA didn't supply the parts..

maybe im misunderstanding the whole thing. to me it sounded like 14k including motor,suspension,body kit and all labor. thats the way i understood it. regardless, the guys happy.

[jflip2002]

Nice lookin car. Nothing like a bunch of shit bags to start knocking the cost, cleanliness, noting how they could do it better, cheaper, blah blah blah. Shits on a good thread the OP made for being happy about having his car back, with a new motor in it. He obviously felt it was fair. He trusted their work, he trusted their price, so who is anyone to tell him that he paid too much? All haters, suck an under priced cock.

[Turf1600]

but he doesnt have the overhead sayther has either.

I don't think anyone is arguing that it costs alot to run a shop. 14k is just too much though. Especially considering TSA didn't supply the parts..

[blunttech]

Indeed. The last S52 swap I saw come out of TSA was a whopper. Customer provided a running driving 89 325i. He provided a MRoadster 3.2L engine, transmission, driveshaft, and differential.

TSA provided the labor, OBDI conversion parts, brake parts, oil sump/pan parts, IE sways, IE3s, and Bilsteins.

E30 owner picked up his e30 with a $13,000 bill IIRC.


Last swap I did took a friends car for 10 days, 7 days of which I worked normal 10hr days at my day job, and he paid about $6k for parts and labor for a full OBDI S52 engine swap into his e30. I sourced all the parts for him, and installed it.

I understand big shops have overhead, insurance, employees, etc.. but have you seen TSA in person? The shop is a gypsy town of tents and RV pipework/tarp carports built off a residence on residential property.

ive seen pics of the place and yes, your description is accurate.
what irritates me is people that have not run a legitimate business have no clue of actual expenses. my wifes patients are frequently heard to say "i guess someone has to pay for your new car" or vacation or whatever the dumb fucks happen to say. like we are living like rock stars. they have no clue we are mortgaged to the fucking hilt trying to pay for a building and a million dollars worth of medical equipt. etc etc. if you feel something is too expensive go somewhere else. or do it yourself

and now i understand your feeling towards sayther. it all makes sense now

[Van Westervelt]

do you know who trevor is? he is 60k deep into a 4 door e30 swap by turner.

Exactly. Just sayin, the random bump up 6 months later is a little annoying.

[E30FTW]

Its sad, but hey, I have seen worse.

Indeed. The last S52 swap I saw come out of TSA was a whopper. Customer provided a running driving 89 325i. He provided a MRoadster 3.2L engine, transmission, driveshaft, and differential.

TSA provided the labor, OBDI conversion parts, brake parts, oil sump/pan parts, IE sways, IE3s, and Bilsteins.

E30 owner picked up his e30 with a $13,000 bill IIRC.


Last swap I did took a friends car for 10 days, 7 days of which I worked normal 10hr days at my day job, and he paid about $6k for parts and labor for a full OBDI S52 engine swap into his e30. I sourced all the parts for him, and installed it.

I understand big shops have overhead, insurance, employees, etc.. but have you seen TSA in person? The shop is a gypsy town of tents and RV pipework/tarp carports built off a residence on residential property. I don't think TSA has workers comp, and I know they don't offer health insurance, 401k, or any other legitimate benefits. Given the type of property I think overhead is limited to utilities and taxes as I'm sure the house/shack/whatever the tent city is built off is paid off. The shop is a tent city because the City of Austin breathes down their neck (this is zoned residential) and they city will knock down and permanent structures that he may try to build.

[blunttech]

I've seen his motor swaps (and helped with one) and they look pretty damn good. You know 14k is outrageous. There's no doubt the guy should have done it himself - or at least shopped around. TSA only seems to do great work on their own cars

have any of you fuckers ever ran a business? or have any clue to the overhead, workers comp, health insurance, utilities, taxes etc etc ..... and its not 14k its `10k and less than that . he had all new suspension installed. 4k for the motor. what about driveshaft tranny, exhaust? ask joe funk what its like. and nobody held a gun to this dudes head anyway. it looks to me like sayther made maybe 5k in labor. ive done a few swaps myself and know whats involved. the 3k dollar dude may be the greatest mechanic ever, i have no clue... but he doesnt have the overhead sayther has either.

[Turf1600]

go try to operate a full blown shop with real employees and overhead and insurance and then come back and tell me how youll do all that for 3k. just shut your hole now as youre making yourself sound even dumber than you already have. ask someone who actually runs a shop. now go back to your 1 stall unheated garage and dream about a new 3 drawer craftsman toolbox

I've seen his motor swaps (and helped with one) and they look pretty damn good. You know 14k is outrageous. There's no doubt the guy should have done it himself - or at least shopped around. TSA only seems to do great work on their own cars

[blunttech]

I doubt anyone really ever bends over for the blunt end without any lube like this guy did though. Its sad, but hey, I have seen worse.

do you know who trevor is? he is 60k deep into a 4 door e30 swap by turner.

[E30FTW]

go try to operate a full blown shop with real employees and overhead and insurance and then come back and tell me how youll do all that for 3k. just shut your hole now as youre making yourself sound even dumber than you already have. ask someone who actually runs a shop. now go back to your 1 stall unheated garage and dream about a new 3 drawer craftsman toolbox

No one twisted the OP's arm. He picked his installer, and he paid the bill. I'm just saying.. next time someone needs this sort of thing done in Texas and wants to pay a reasonable price... there are many many many alternatives to TSA for that pricing, and I'm not looking for work. I've got more than I know what to do with.

[Van Westervelt]

nobody has overpaid for a swap lately?

I doubt anyone really ever bends over for the blunt end without any lube like this guy did though. Its sad, but hey, I have seen worse.

[blunttech]

Why are we talking about this 6 months later?

nobody has overpaid for a swap lately?

[Van Westervelt]

Why are we talking about this 6 months later?