GPI Stroker Dyno Graphs Added!

[Mydivorcegift]

I'll put it all out there....

Been a tough go of it past 6 months. 12/27 had to put my best friend of 15 years to sleep. 4/5 my grandmother passed. 4/8 my ex wife passed after a 5 year battle with cancer. 4/25 my wife tears her achilles and has to have surgery (out of work 2 months).

Thought I was done with the bad lol then 5/25 driving 40mph down Jackson street "something" went wrong. I immediately pull into a car wash and wait for the tow truck.

Man I couldn't believe it...the one thing in life that hasn't let me down and always puts a smile on my face.

Continued......

[Mydivorcegift]

Backstory behind the car.....

Back in September made the drive to GPI. SS4 Cam, ported/milled heads, intake rod mod, circle D converter, and built trans. My decision to go there was based on their proven results at the track and from what I have read standing behind their work.

Little did I know soon we would find out if they do in fact stand behind their work.

I have had a bad lifter/bad cam, a broken spring, and a broker rocker before. The sound and demeanor of the engine that day reminded me of these. So when I got home with the tow truck I pulled the valve covers hoping to see either a broken spring or a broken rocker. Neither....

Continued....

[Mydivorcegift]

I'm really bummed. Only 9 months and 6000 miles later I have a broke car. So I called Aaron and told him what happened and what I'd found. He said they need the car so he has agreed to come get it.

It took 2 weeks because of Memorial Day weekend and the following weekend was the AR mile but 6/8 James (service manager at GPI) shows up with his truck and enclosed trailer. James isn't spoke of a lot on here but he is a good, cool guy!

Continued....

[Mydivorcegift]

I told Aaron from the start I didn't expect GPI to drop what they were doing so it took about a week for the car to get in rotation. It was torn down and it was shocking what was found....

A broken valve seat I've searched and it looks like I am one of about 3 in the entire LS world to experience this. Valve hits the piston, damage to the block, etc.....

When life gives you a lemon make lemonade.

Continued......

[Mydivorcegift]

Aaron said GPI would take care of it. Then he called me a day later.

If I want to cover the rotating assembly GPI would build me a 416. Most would jump right off the bat but things have been difficult around the house. A lot of extra, unforeseen expenses, Monique out of work. I needed to discuss with the other half and look at "budget". Told Aaron I'd get back to him....

Needless to say I got back to him the next day. It really is a no brainer since it is free labor.

So the build will be an N/A 416, VVT build.

Compstar rotating assembly
Re-using old heads after they have been gone through
New GPI stroker cam
Ported intake (already have rod mod)

I'm going to spring for the Johnson lifters and a new oil pump based on Aaron's recommendation of "while we are in there" for some extra piece of mind.

I'll post pics along the way and stay tuned for the results

Much praise and to the GPI crew.

[Rhino79]

It sucks to have stuff go wrong, but is awesome to be able to offer assistance in a bad situation.

I hate that you had a problem with the valve seat, but being that it was heads we had ported, thats on us!! Happy to take care of it, and be able to offer some upgrades along the way!

Normally companies would fear seeing a post like this. I don't. I think it is good for people to see that as a shop, even with a great reputation, stuff can happen. This is when you separate the good guys from the bad guys.

There was a machining error on your head and maybe 1-2 more that has been corrected for quite a while.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to make the car better than ever.

Ryan S.

[Mydivorcegift]

Originally Posted by Rhino79

It sucks to have stuff go wrong, but is awesome to be able to offer assistance in a bad situation.

I hate that you had a problem with the valve seat, but being that it was heads we had ported, thats on us!! Happy to take care of it, and be able to offer some upgrades along the way!

Normally companies would fear seeing a post like this. I don't. I think it is good for people to see that as a shop, even with a great reputation, stuff can happen. This is when you separate the good guys from the bad guys.

There was a machining error on your head and maybe 1-2 more that has been corrected for quite a while.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but we sincerely appreciate the opportunity to make the car better than ever.

Ryan S.

Amen It was really a main point of me going with GPI. So many times people post bad things when they happen and throw the shop under the bus. It's awesome to able to document this and show the difference between a fly by night shop and a shop that takes pride in their work and stands behind what they do.

I'm excited and looking so forward to the results. I've been without a car for so long it will be like getting a new car when its done

[Mydivorcegift]

Carnage and out with the old.....

[WHAMMO]

Great story, OP you deserve the best!! GPI stand by their products! Cant wait to see the results!

[Mydivorcegift]

Originally Posted by WHAMMO

Great story, OP you deserve the best!! GPI stand by their products! Cant wait to see the results!

Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it.

Me too. Don't really know what to expect as I really haven't seen that many stroker builds on here. I am thinking and hoping maybe 525/500

[BFASTNOTLAST]

Most companies have the "pay to play" response when things like this happen. And to be completely honest when we (the consumer) make the decision to modify our cars weather or not its from a shop or something we take on, you always have the risk of something going wrong that we should fully accept before hand. To see any vendor step up and offer you the service that you now are getting is outstanding in my book! I applaud Ryan and the whole GPI staff for making things right with you and your build!

[Mydivorcegift]

Originally Posted by BFASTNOTLAST

Most companies have the "pay to play" response when things like this happen. And to be completely honest when we (the consumer) make the decision to modify our cars weather or not its from a shop or something we take on, you always have the risk of something going wrong that we should fully accept before hand. To see any vendor step up and offer you the service that you now are getting is outstanding in my book! I applaud Ryan and the whole GPI staff for making things right with you and your build!

Couldn't have said it better

[Mydivorcegift]

Few other tidbits going in.

Swapping stock injectors for LSA's. And going to clean things up a bit under the hood with red holley valve covers and relocating the heater hose.

Should run nice and look nice

[G701LE]

Originally Posted by BFASTNOTLAST

Most companies have the "pay to play" response when things like this happen. And to be completely honest when we (the consumer) make the decision to modify our cars weather or not its from a shop or something we take on, you always have the risk of something going wrong that we should fully accept before hand. To see any vendor step up and offer you the service that you now are getting is outstanding in my book! I applaud Ryan and the whole GPI staff for making things right with you and your build!

+1
Glad something went right for you! Enjoy the power of displacement.