Am I Just Unlucky, Jinxed Or What?

[2010 L99]

After waiting a week for my scheduled appt I dropped my car off Tuesday evening at 4:30pm to have headers, hf cats, catback, CAI, catch can and tune done. Car has 1600 miles. They said they would start work first thing Wed morning. The first time I heard from the installer after dropping off the car was Thursday morning.

Here are the emails.

Thu 10:30am (from installer)
Just wanted to let you know you are almost all done except for tuning and we hope to get on that later today to have it back to you tomorrow as long as tuning the auto goes well. Any questions feel free to give me a call or drop me a line. The system looks great and is not too loud so I think you'll be very pleased!

My reply (10:32am)
Oh wow. Tomorrow? Okay. Thanks. I'll need to make some other arrangements.

My email this afternoon (2:16pm)
Did u still want me to pickup the Camaro today? If so, what time?

Installer's Reply (3:30pm)
Anytime after 5pm should be fine. I believe he is finishing up his mail orders and the base tune for yours is already done. He will need to street drive it some to double check it all and you should be good. Just give us a ring before you head out.

Installer's Email (4:10pm)
We have it back on the dyno and the passenger side 02 sensor has stopped reading. We don't know now if it's the sensor or the extension that came with the headers but we'll need to check it out. If the sensor needs replacing it could be Monday as only a GM dealer has them and last time we had to have it ordered. I'll keep you posted but right now it's looking like Monday...it does sound good though!


I realize all of this could be coincidence after the installer had the car for 3 days for Headers, HF Cats, Catback, CAI, catch can and tune but it just seemed odd to me an hour before I'm supposed to pick it up the O2 sensor or extension suddenly stops working. Now it will be at least 6 days from dropping it off until maybe Monday evening. Is all of this normal? Should I be concerned? Or am I being paranoid? Are there other questions I should be asking?

[montreal2010yellow]

Paranoid.... but it's normal with all you ordered. Good Luck.

[rjsmith1973]

I had those same mods done to my L99 at ADM Performance (minus catch can) and I was out of there in about 5-6 hours. Car still runs great 10k miles later. I think your installer kinda sucks, sorry. :(

[2010 L99]

Of course two days for these mods seemed like a lot but that's another story. I'm just wondering why an hour before I was supposed to pick it up the O2 decides to go bad.

[SGOS252382]

It's hard to say. They said Thursday morning that they just needed to do some tuning. They've had 2 days to tune the car for just headers and CAI.

The shops where I take my car would have all that completed in 1 day (drop off and pick up after work).

[steeleshark2]

It can happen.

[ffrcobra_65]

As often as you are keeping tabs on it, the more paranoid you will be. Let them do what they need to do and check things over when you pick it up, not during.

[2010 L99]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

As often as you are keeping tabs on it, the more paranoid you will be. Let them do what they need to do and check things over when you pick it up, not during.

I didn't keep tabs on it often. I only initiated one email during the 3 days and that was simply confirming whether he still wanted me to pick it up this evening. The others were simply replies to his emails. These email exchanges weren't with the actual mechanic but rather with the sales guy.

[mike123]

i think you should stop by and see how it sounds. that way you can see the problem also. on another note. some shops take longer to do than others. the first shop i started going to was VERY quick at there work. and even let me watch them. the another i went to shop i had to wait over a week for things to get done. but did they more cars at one time.

[2010 L99]

Thanks Mike. As much as I've wanted to stop by to check on the progress I've intentionally stayed away so the 3 days doesn't become 5 or I don't get accused of "keeping tabs".

3 days just seems like a long time and for the O2 or harness to stop working at the last minute before I'm supposed to get it seemed odd to me. It'll probably work out but I need to assess my options before I take it back for a cam.

My instinct a month ago said to let RPM Motorsports in Raleigh do these mods in a day but I foolishly didn't want to make the 6 hr round trip. I hope I don't regret that decision. I'll probably get them to do the cam though.

[YOUNGnRECKLESS]

[slickmetal]

After getting my CAI, Headers, Hi flo Cats, and tune...I still threw a P1533 code...Tuner just needs to tune it out...from what I heard, its normal after headers and cats install.

[orange-prince]

Originally Posted by Jimmy@PAS

Just to add a note here if I may....While we did have Bob's car a few days the work was done in 1 1/2. The bad 02 reading turned out to be a defective 02 extension which we diagnosed and repaired at no charge to Bob. (2010 L99) As with all aftermarket parts, sometimes they have issues. We work in a quality sense not quantity although there were more than a few dozen cars here at the time. In regards to install times we feel like quicker is not always better. Ask yourself this...would you want quick and speedy brain surgery? Or someone that took their time to make sure it was done right? We prefer to do the latter and are happy you are pleased with your car Bob. It's completely reasonable to be concerned (paranoid) about your new car but in the end it was a faulty part, which unfortunately is sometimes the case.

[steeleshark2]

Originally Posted by Jimmy@PAS

Just to add a note here if I may....While we did have Bob's car a few days the work was done in 1 1/2. The bad 02 reading turned out to be a defective 02 extension which we diagnosed and repaired at no charge to Bob. (2010 L99) As with all aftermarket parts, sometimes they have issues. We work in a quality sense not quantity although there were more than a few dozen cars here at the time. In regards to install times we feel like quicker is not always better. Ask yourself this...would you want quick and speedy brain surgery? Or someone that took their time to make sure it was done right? We prefer to do the latter and are happy you are pleased with your car Bob. It's completely reasonable to be concerned (paranoid) about your new car but in the end it was a faulty part, which unfortunately is sometimes the case.

Way to go Jimmy!! Glad to hear that you were able to get everything taken care of the right way instead of the quick way. I also understand where the owner is coming from. I am very anxious with my baby is in the shop also. I even had experiences when things do not go according to the plan. What makes a good shop is the way they are able to handle it and make everything right at the end. I hope the OP feels better about the situation now that it is over. Great Job Guys!!