rocket5979 said:
Either way, this is not a Torrie or FPN bashing thread IMO. I think the point was to just ask people what their results were so stinkin could compare them to his.
I would be pretty disappointed with the level of customer service if I got a email reply like that too. It is all about professionalism, even in this line of work. People who get big heads and attitudes about things such as tuning cars have no place in the business. Some people would be best served to cool their jets now and then. This not only applies to Torrie but to other tuners, shops, and manufacturers out there as well. Kenne bell, Apten, RWTD, Procharger, Whipple, and so on...
In most cases, whether it really be true or not, the customer is always right. That is not to concede to the customer about the issue at hand, but it does mean that not to get into a minor pissing contest when one states that they aren't happy with the product. That is a prime opportunity to gain a customer for life through taking the time to explain a few small things or lose their business and their friends business due to word of mouth thereafter.
While the specifics of the tunes may be a guarded secret, the basic principle is not. I think that is all Stinkin required in this case going off the info provided thusfar. Hopefully if he read my earlier post, it gave him a better idea of what gets changed in the tuning process too.
Whether customer feedback for a supporting vendor of a site is positive or negative, it should still be taken seriously and not blocked out. In this case it seems that a customer wasn't super happy with their results and said as much. I do not see that as vendor bashing, I see it as a customer stating their satisfaction level. It is great to see types of threads like this about places, because it gives a better knowledge base for people to use and then pick whom they will do business with in the future.
Thank you. This is what Torrie does not understand, like he said himself, I am the "first unhappy customer". Yea...right. I even told him I was only unsatisfied "as of now" and that was because I spent $400 and didn't think I got $400 worth...maybe $200-$250.
The point of my original post was to see of others had experienced the same problems when using the XCal2.
If you will go back and see, I was anxiously awaiting Torrie's responses to my questions. I know their were a lot of questions...I think like 3-4...lol. Are you kidding? I spent $400 and was ensured satisfaction...I guess I assumed that Torrie would help me if I asked...not demand a send the product back. My bad. I won't be making this mistake again. Like someone said above Torrie is the only one who knows anything about the tunes he gave me so now if he doesn't help I'm kinda screwed - Thanks Torrie!
Also,
on a lighter note, the situation has changed a bit. The shifting has gotten a lot less rough and more "on-time" and the acceleration deficit is not much of an issue any more.
I'm not sure what happened but from my end and from the recommendations of others I reflashed it to stock, and then back to the tune and ran about 94 octane gas. This is what I expected may help...I even asked Torrie if the tunes required any sort of "break-in period" and he replied with a promt "no"...no explanation of course, he doesn't have time for that. Obviously either the LS has to get used to the tune or vise-versa, I'm not which, but it wasn't working perfectly right off the bat...not like Torrie might suggest.
Now these are all recommendations Torrie easily could have given me...and guess what...they would have worked and Torrie would look like a fantastic salesman due to the recommendations I would have posted...especially after the races I had tonight...read on! Now because he jumped the gun and demanded a refund he caused me to get upset, which resulted in the posting of the e-mail - which I otherwise never would have done had I not been so upset and confused.
I think rocket said it best when he said
"That is a prime opportunity to gain a customer for life through taking the time to explain a few small things or lose their business and their friends business due to word of mouth thereafter."
I even recommended Torrie supply buyers with some sort of instructions. The Xcal comes with absolutely NOTHING. It doesn't tell you even where to plug it in or ANYTHING AT ALL. NOTHING. It should at least come with a few introduction notes on what to do and what to expect from each of the tunes. Hell...you could call it "XCal For Dummies" I don't care...lol...Torrie of course said, "Again, it seems your unhappy, I don't know what to tell you."
$400 bucks I don't really care...wtv. I raced a BMW 740li and a Lexus GS with exhaust and intake - I'm not sure what exact model...he had the 4.0L V8...newer - and I beat them both top end speed. I beat the BMW at all levels - dead stop/roll/top-end...I passed the Lexus in 4th gear after about 115 mph...otherwise from 2nd gear at about a 30-40 roll he got a solid jump on me...I played catch up...but it didn't take me long. Me and the Lexus never got a good eun from a dead stop...but I think he would have taken me to be honest...not in 1/2 mile though. Overall, I was happy, but like I said, the shifting has changed dramatically compared to what it was first like.
I don't think my experience is a common one given Quik and Torrie's responses. I didn't want to start trouble, just express my opinion. Sorry. I'd still recommend the XCal to others...but until I get some dyno numbers..I'm not sure if I'd value it at over $400...especially with that kind of customer help.
And Quik. Again - the point of my original post was to verify if others were having the same issues. Go back and read it again. I highly respect you and your work and help and efforts and everything you do for LS owners and you know this. But like you said, you are on your 15th tune or so. You and Torrie have a very good relationship. That is you and Torrie. I think you are quick to defend him without taking a look at what is really happening between Torrie and a customer - myself - totally seperate from your own experiences. Sloban and rocket both observed the faulty practices here...I don't think this is mere coincidence. I hope these comments don't offend you. I'm just an honest person, and I'm really not at all afraid to call it like I see it.
I'm only being a smartazz to show you that in the tuning world, you pay for results, not for all the science behind it. If you want to learn the science, grab a book or hit a forum. I've read your messages about it being stronger at WOT, and you peeling the tires more. I also read about the slight bog at 2500. Could be your Torque Converter engaging. If you ever met Torrie, you'd know he's a stand up guy. He can be a little blunt, but it only comes across that way in email. I had to swallow the "it's doing exactly what I told it to" comment also when I got my first tune from him and had questions. I now know just to trust him, and I trust him wholeheartedly with my truck, as do A LOT of Lightning and Harley Truck owners. The man has a gift, and I'm glad to have met him.
